The Big Ten removed former Penn State coach Joe Paterno's name from its new championship trophy on Monday.
The move was made because of the sex scandal that has rocked the Penn State program, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said.
``We believe that it would be inappropriate to keep Joe Paterno's name on the trophy at this time,'' Delany said. ``The trophy and its namesake are intended to be celebratory and aspirational, not controversial. We believe that it's important to keep the focus on the players and the teams that will be competing in the inaugural championship game.''
The trophy, which will be present to the winner of the inaugural Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis on Dec. 3, will be called the Stagg Championship Trophy.It honors Amos Alonzo Stagg, the legendary University of Chicago coach. A founding member of the Big Ten in 1892, Chicago left the league in 1932, concerned about where big-time college athletics were headed.
Herb Gould started with the Sun-Times in 1977 and has covered several teams, including the Blackhawks. He is a long-time beat reporter covering the Fighting Illini and the Big Ten for the Sun-Times.
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