The Big Ten Conference released a statement Sunday addressing the death of former Penn State football head coach Joe Paterno, who passed away at the age of 85 after losing a two-month battle with lung cancer.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Joe Paterno," said Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany. "His passing marks a tremendous loss for Penn State, college football and for countless fans, coaches and student-athletes. Our condolences go out to the Paterno family and to the entire Penn State community."
During his 46 season as the head coach of Penn State, Paterno won three Big Ten titles, including the first ever in 1994 when the Nittany Lions finished 12-0. In the same season that the Nittany Lions capture the conference title ('94, '05 and '08), Paterno won the Big Ten Coach of the Year award.
For more on Paterno's death, visit Black Shoe Diaries.