By Mike DeNardo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A prominent sculptor would like to see the statue of Joe Paterno that was removed from Beaver Stadium recycled into a healing memorial.

Sculptor Larry Nowlan, who created the Harry Kalas statue at Citizens Bank Park, saw the images of the Paterno likeness being removed and thought, the story isn’t over just because the bronze likeness of Paterno is out of sight.

READ: PSU’s Paterno Statue Gone

“The whole idea, the whole process of the work that went into it and the good spirits that went into it — it was in storage. And that’s when I came up with the concept that maybe that bronze could be melted down and reused to cast a healing memorial for victims of child abuse.”

Nowlan posted his idea on Facebook and he says he got an overwhelming response.

Nowlan admits it may be too soon, but he says a memorial, perhaps in the form of a fountain, would provide a common ground for Penn State to rally around.