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Franklin keeps his distance from Paterno event

As the observance of the 50th anniversary of Joe Paterno's first game as Penn State head coach grows closer, current coach James Franklin is keeping any involvement on his part at a distance.

As the observance of the 50th anniversary of Joe Paterno's first game as Penn State head coach grows closer, current coach James Franklin is keeping any involvement on his part at a distance.

"My focus and our focus is on Temple and the game this week," Franklin said Tuesday. "All of those other decisions, they're for the administration. Our focus is on Temple."

On Sept. 1, Penn State's office of strategic communications announced in a release on planned "promotions and game themes" for the 2016 season that it would commemorate the 50th anniversary of Paterno's first game when the Nittany Lions played Temple on Saturday. It is expected to release more information Thursday on the event.

Asked Tuesday about what Paterno symbolizes to him, Franklin replied, "I've stated this before: All of the wonderful things that have happened here academically, all of the wonderful things that have happened here athletically and in the community as well, those things have been significant."

The university hasn't officially recognized Paterno in any fashion since he was fired on Nov. 9, 2011, four days after his former defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky, was arrested on charges of molesting young boys. Paterno's supporters say he acted correctly in reporting to higher-ups what he had heard about Sandusky's abuse. His detractors say he didn't do nearly enough to stop him.

Hundreds of Penn State lettermen, believed to be around 500, along with members of the Paterno family, will have their own observance honoring their former coach on Friday night at the school's baseball facility, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Many of the lettermen will stay around for Saturday's game.

Asked about the returning lettermen, Franklin said he continues to work with the lettermen's club to build relationships.

"That's something that's very, very important," he said. "I'm glad all of those guys are going to be back in town and going to be at the game this weekend. That's the type of support that's made this place so special for so long."

jjuliano@phillynews.com

@joejulesinq