David Joyner to remain Penn State athletic director

PENN STATE announced Monday that David M. Joyner will remain as director of intercollegiate athletics through the remainder of president Rodney Erickson's term of office, which is expected to be June 2014.

Joyner, who played football and wrestled at Penn State, received his bachelor's degree in science from there in 1972 and his M.D. from Penn State's College of Medicine in 1976. Joyner has extensive experience with the U.S. Olympic Committee, including head U.S. Team physician for the 1992 Olympic Winter Games.

Joyner was named acting director of athletics in November 2011. He replaced Tim Curley, who was placed on administrative leave as a result of the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal.

In another matter, residents of State College have organized a vigil at a downtown mural Tuesday that includes a depiction of Joe Paterno to commemorate the 1-year anniversary of the longtime coach's death.

Paterno was ousted as coach soon after the Sandusky scandal broke in November 2011, and he died of lung cancer on Jan. 22 at 85.

Critics are angered by how school leaders handled Paterno's ouster and the explosive findings of the internal investigation led by former FBI director Louis Freeh that put part of the blame on Paterno for a coverup.

A family spokesman said the Paternos would not take part in the vigil, and would remain in privacy. Paterno's family has vehemently denied Freeh's conclusions, and is expected to release a response to Freeh's report in the near future.