The Grand Experiment

[troutrus]

An earlier thread concerning how our program has changed seems to suggest that Paterno’s “Grand Experiment” idea may not be fully understood by some members of these forums.
For those who are serious about learning more of what it was or was not, I believe this thesis may hold some interest.
Personally I grew up following and pulling for Paterno and his teams, and was always Penn State Proud. Admittedly, some of the luster was lost due to ”the scandal” , but growing up Catholic has taught me to roll with the punches when it comes to scandals.

https://honors.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/17522

 

[CVLion]

Good read — thank you for sharing!

@KingLando — have you read this?

From the appendices — here are the average FBS graduation rates from the last 8 years of Paterno’s career:

56.81%
55.84%
55.32%
54.77%
54.84%
55.12%
54.62%
54.15%

And for comparison, Penn State’s graduation rates from the same period:

84%
80%
77%
80%
75%
72%
76%
77%

Those are in reverse chronological order BTW, for the seasons that began in 2004 (bottom of each list) through 2011 (top of each list.)

Please tell us again how the Grand Experiment was just made up by Joe to lower expectations.

 

[KingLando]

Good read — thank you for sharing!

@KingLando — have you read this?

From the appendices — here are the average FBS graduation rates from the last 8 years of Paterno’s career:

56.81%
55.84%
55.32%
54.77%
54.84%
55.12%
54.62%
54.15%

And for comparison, Penn State’s graduation rates from the same period:

84%
80%
77%
80%
75%
72%
76%
77%

Those are in reverse chronological order BTW, for the seasons that began in 2004 (bottom of each list) through 2011 (top of each list.)

Please tell us again how the Grand Experiment was just made up by Joe to lower expectations.

It was...I love taking the average by the way

 

[Nitt1300]

moron

 

[CVLion]

It was...I love taking the average by the way

Well I’ll give you this, you clearly know a thing or two about lowering expectations. Repeatedly asserting this completely baseless idea has done plenty for lowering everyone’s expectations regarding your posts :/

 

[KingLando]

Well I’ll give you this, you clearly know a thing or two about lowering expectations. Repeatedly asserting this completely baseless idea has done plenty for lowering everyone’s expectations regarding your posts :/

I learned from the best at that--as I've pointed out

 

[PhillyBillyReprise]

I remember the annual media guide would list past letter winners and their occupations: Many educators, doctors, engineers.

 

[Chumboshifko1]

There is no question the Grand Experiment was real.

 

[Binder74]

There is no question the Grand Experiment was real.

The proof of that are the players that benefited from it. It doesn't matter for anyone else.

 

[Chumboshifko1]

Only some terd from Pitt would be bothered by the Grand Experiment.

 

[Marshall2323]

If you didn't follow PSU football during that era, it has little meaning, I suppose. It should be acknowledged and celebrated. We will never see anything like it again. Perhaps on a smaller scale in the Ivy League or Division 3. Any coach who tried this approach in today's minor league football with unrestricted free agency and no salary cap wouldn't survive 4 games.

 

[PSU Soupy 615]

Speaking of Grand Experiment: Going to a Song Writers Night at the Opry in Nashville and the Headliner is Mike Reid. Reid and John Urschel might be two of the most obvious Grand Experiment Designees. I'm sure others like Franco would be on the Mt. Rushmore of succesful PSU Football Players after concluding their PSU football careers.