Nearly 300 students gathered outside Joe Paterno’s house on McKee St. Tuesday night to support the 84-year old coach.

The crowd arrived at around 6 p.m. and stayed for half an hour.

Paterno returned home from the team’s practice at the Lasch Building, causing the students to swarm his car. After entering his home, Paterno returned to his front yard to greet the crowd of supporters.

“It’s hard for me to tell you how much this means to me,” Paterno said. “You guys live for the place, and I’ve lived for people like you guys and girls.”

Paterno also asked the crowd to keep in mind the young victims involved in the allegations involving former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

“The kids who were victims, whatever they want to say, I think we need to say a prayer for them,” Paterno said. “It’s a tough life when people do certain things to you.”