Posted: Wednesday July 18, 2012 7:56PM ; Updated: Wednesday July 18, 2012 10:14PM

PSU students protecting Paterno statue amid controversy

Story Highlights

Penn State students are attempting to protect the Joe Paterno statue on campus

A plane flew over Penn State Tuesday threatening to remove the campus statue

Two seniors organized a gathering at the statue, but weren't sure for how long

Penn State is still deciding the fate of its campus statue of Joe Paterno.

Gene J. Puskar

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Amid calls for the removal of football coach Joe Paterno's statue from Penn State campus, some students have begun a vigil to protect it from vandals.

Seniors Mike Elliot and Kevin Berkon organized a gathering at the statue after a plane flew over the campus Tuesday with a banner that read: "Take the statue down or we will." The students said they would be at the statue again Wednesday night, but weren't sure how long they would keep the vigil.

Paterno was fired after former assistant Jerry Sandusky was charged last winter with sex abuse of 10 boys. Paterno died in January. Sandusky was convicted, and is awaiting sentencing.

A university investigation recently concluded that Paterno and other Penn State officials concealed information about the allegations to protect the school.