The rolled-up khakis aren't going anywhere, but Joe Paterno is changing his look.
Bidding farewell to the Coke-bottle glasses that have been his trademark longer than most students have been alive, the 83-year-old had surgery to improve his vision and now dons frames with much thinner lenses. Sports information director Jeff Nelson confirmed in an e-mail that Paterno had the surgery in January.
"They are new glasses -- I just got an eye exam," Paterno said Thursday at the Multi-Sport Facility during media day for Centre Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM), which is fielding a team to raise money through the 2010 CVIM Boston Marathon Challenge. "I had trouble reading the last six months. I went down to Philadelphia to the Scheie Eye Institute. The guy said to me, Dr. [Stuart] Fine, who I've known for 40 years, 'I think we can fix that up.' "
Despite the improvement in Paterno's eyesight, fans shouldn't expect the long-time coach to depart from his normal attire and look. Paterno still has the habit of reaching to take off his glasses whenever he puts on a sweater -- even when he's not wearing them.
Penn State historian Lou Prato said he was surprised Paterno got the surgery. After all, the combination of the glasses and the rolled-up cuffed pants are the coach's trademark.
"He's got to wear [the glasses] -- he's Joe Paterno," he said.
As for Paterno himself, he seems at least a little impressed with his improved vision.
"I can tell you what time it is," Paterno said while looking at his watch. "Let's see what I got here -- 21 minutes after."
