Penn State/Sandusky report is out [merged]

[DeniseM]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-sandusky-freeh-report-20120712,0,4737004.story

“Our most saddening and sobering finding is the total disregard for the safety and welfare of Sandusky's child victims by the most senior leaders at Penn State,” Freeh said. “The most powerful men at Penn State failed to take any steps for 14 years to protect the children who Sandusky victimized.”

“In order to avoid the consequences of bad publicity, the most powerful leaders at the university — Spanier, Schultz, Paterno and Curley — repeatedly concealed critical facts relating to Sandusky's child abuse,” the report said.

 

[normab]

This is sad to hear but not totally unexpected.

 

[ace2000]

For me, I was willing to let the facts come out before casting judgement on Paterno. Now that I see the facts, I feel he also should be held accountable, at least in the eyes of public opinion, for what has occurred.

It will take a long time for Penn St. to overcome this series of events.

 

[Passepartout]

I cannot see how Penn State can EVER live down, let alone atone for the injustice it afforded those victims. I have read and heard from other sources that the only just punishment is the dissolution of Penn State- either the entire sports program or the entire university.

Seems fair to me.

Jim

 

[SueDonJ]

Back when the story first broke I immediately equated the Penn State atrocities to the Catholic Church's similar harboring of sick, twisted criminals and that hierarchy's complete disregard for innocent, absolutely defenseless victims. Maybe it was unfair but I honestly couldn't fathom any other environment in which Jerry Sandusky could have thrived. And that's exactly what he did, what he was allowed to do. He thrived with the full knowledge that his powerful friends would protect him at all costs, because by protecting him they were protecting their sacred football program, their cash cow.

The only thing that surprises me in today's report is the disclosure related to the parcel of land that Penn State sold at cost to the Second Mile foundation. But it sure fits the pattern of Penn State buying silence in one form or another.

I am glad, yes glad, to see that the Freeh Commission hasn't spared Joe Paterno. Anybody who still believes that he was duped somehow, or a victim of circumstances over which he had no control, is delusional.

The NCAA has sanctioned university programs for transgressions far less heinous than what's occurred at Penn State. Their rules allow for the ultimate sanction, The Death Penalty, in cases where the university does not exhibit institutional control. Nothing less than The Death Penalty should be given to Penn State's football program. IMO, like that of a few others here, the entire university should be punished on a grand scale. But an NCAA Death Penalty should be the LEAST of their punishment.

 

[Elan]

The NCAA has sanctioned university programs for transgressions far less heinous than what's occurred at Penn State. Their rules allow for the ultimate sanction, The Death Penalty, in cases where the university does not exhibit institutional control. Nothing less than The Death Penalty should be given to Penn State's football program. IMO, like that of a few others here, the entire university should be punished on a grand scale. But an NCAA Death Penalty should be the LEAST of their punishment.

I agree completely. The "$500 handshakes", etc that transpired at SMU years ago (for which SMU football received the Death Penalty) seem pretty innocuous by comparison.

 

[DeniseM]

For me, I was willing to let the facts come out before casting judgement on Paterno.

I am listening to the report on the radio and they are saying that Paterno was fully aware of all of the facts, and followed the original investigation closely - and then did nothing...

 

[ace2000]

I am listening to the report on the radio and they are saying that Paterno was fully aware of all of the facts, and followed the original investigation closely - and then did nothing...

Recent development... Nike backs away from Paterno after results.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nike-taking-paternos-name-off-172236514--ncaaf.html

 

[theo]

Higher authority...

... I was willing to let the facts come out before casting judgement on Paterno. Now that I see the facts, I feel he also should be held accountable... <snip>..

Joe Paterno may indeed already find himself being judged and held accountable by much higher authorties than the comparatively meaningless "court of pubic opinion".

 

[pgnewarkboy]

No excuses. Football program must be shut down. More heads must roll.

 

[ricoba]

This is a sad tragedy and a strong indictment in my view against the mixing of college athletics with money and power.

While the Penn State scenario is the worst of the worst, how many other college athletic departments and universities have turned blind eyes to less heinous crimes, simply to keep the departments reputation strong or keep the money flowing?

This truly is a sad day for Penn State, its fans and for all college sports. As others have suggested here, there needs to be a strong message sent, which may even include the closing of the Penn State sports program.

 

[Patri]

Heads can roll. I have no problem with that. But why should students be punished for the actions of people over which they had no control or knowledge? If this happened in a public high school, should it be shut down and the kids carted off to another community?
Let the people responsible be punished, but 40,000 young people should not also become victims of the criminal behavior of adults. Fire the lot and hire new teachers, coaches, administrators etc. To close the college would also harm the city of State College. What did those citizens ever do to deserve to lose their jobs or business or homes?

 

[ricoba]

Heads can roll. I have no problem with that. But why should students be punished for the actions of people over which they had no control or knowledge? If this happened in a public high school, should it be shut down and the kids carted off to another community?

That's an interesting and I believe valid point. Today's newspaper (the Las Vegas Review Journal) is reporting that the former head of Silverado High Schools softball team is being indicted on child porn and sexting charges with minors. The citizens and families of the school and area would never consider closing down the whole school simply because of this mans crimes.

 

[Luanne]

Heads can roll. I have no problem with that. But why should students be punished for the actions of people over which they had no control or knowledge? If this happened in a public high school, should it be shut down and the kids carted off to another community?
Let the people responsible be punished, but 40,000 young people should not also become victims of the criminal behavior of adults. Fire the lot and hire new teachers, coaches, administrators etc. To close the college would also harm the city of State College. What did those citizens ever do to deserve to lose their jobs or business or homes?

Are they actually talking about shutting down the entire school? I've heard suggestions of shutting down the athletic program, but not the school.

 

[SueDonJ]

That's an interesting and I believe valid point. Today's newspaper (the Las Vegas Review Journal) is reporting that the former head of Silverado High Schools softball team is being indicted on child porn and sexting charges with minors. The citizens and families of the school and area would never consider closing down the whole school simply because of this mans crimes.

I'd guess that what happened there is not on the same scope as what happened at Penn State. But if it is and they've learned that this softball head's criminal actions had gone on for years, and have been known and protected by school administration members, then as a community member I'd want every single paid position at the school and administration to be replaced by people completely unconnected to the community. Anything less leads to the appearance that the victims are not as important as the program. Shouldn't the victims be worth much more, nevermind on at least an equal level?

I believe the Penn State football program needs to be shut down for at least five years - long enough to purge the culture that exists there and has been festering uncontested for too many years, long enough to field an entirely new team and coaching staff with no connection to the old.

I don't believe that the university should be shut down completely, but certainly all those who hold non-teaching administration and board positions need to be replaced. Then the university should be placed in some type of receivership and a new oversight committee, made up of people unrelated to the community, can keep tabs on the new administration and board to ensure that the old culture is not allowed to re-establish itself. I'd say a period of at least four academic years after football is re-introduced to the school should be sufficient. And yes, there's a chance with this plan that innocent bystanders could be sacrificed. But again, is that sacrifice anywhere near the atrocity of sacrificing victims to the football program?

 

[vacationhopeful]

College was supposed to be educational. A sports program as a profit center and cash cow for the university? It seemed to enrich the employed staff, allowed the "pre-pro"s to travel and market their abilities, keep vendor's (and Fall Weekend local businesses) thriving, sell TV rights, build a complex from ticket sales, and become the modern day version of "The King's New Clothes".

 

[Mel]

Heads can roll. I have no problem with that. But why should students be punished for the actions of people over which they had no control or knowledge? If this happened in a public high school, should it be shut down and the kids carted off to another community?
Let the people responsible be punished, but 40,000 young people should not also become victims of the criminal behavior of adults. Fire the lot and hire new teachers, coaches, administrators etc. To close the college would also harm the city of State College. What did those citizens ever do to deserve to lose their jobs or business or homes?

I've read a few op-ed pieces that suggest that even NCAA sanctions might not be necessary (though they should still happen). But also, is the NCAA really in the position to impose sanctions - did Penn State violate any of their rules? It is suggested that if the victims can be considered "prospective students" there many have been violations, but otherwise the NCAA doesn't really have a leg to stand on regarding sanctions. All previous sanctions against any schools were predicated on violation of NCAA rules.

Instead, perhaps everyone should let things play themselves out. Penn State's reputation has been severely tarnished. Paterno is no longer there to run the football program that he and Sandusky built. How many prospective players will shy away? Recruiting will be far more difficult, and the NCAA can play their part by ensuring that they follow the rules regarding recruits.

We will have to see what will happen with their supporters. Many didn't want to believe what happened, but how many will now pull their support? Without support, the football program dies a slow death.

Unfortunately no matter what happens, the other athletes and the students are all collateral damage. Without a football program, the university has less money for capital improvements as well as for scholarships for everyone else. When that dries up, even the city will be hurt.

Because it is a public university, perhaps the state is in a better position to do something, rather than the NCAA.

 

[tlwmkw]

How do the "students" suffer if the sports program is closed? They won't have a team to cheer on but otherwise it won't really hurt them. Most of the football players are pushed through and never really get a good education anyway (as at most universities). If you look at the reports over the years that have come out there is little benefit to students at a university from a high profile team- all the cash generated goes back into the football program ($3-4 million a year for a head coach alone plus special facilities for the players and other coaching staff as well as all the scholarships) and very little makes its way back to the rest of the university. I think they should shut down the football program and concentrate on academics instead. It's a very sad situation but I bet there are other programs that are just as bad but haven't come under the microscope. Hopefully this will be a wake up call to those other programs. I'm glad that Penn is owning this and they are the ones who hired Freeh to do this report. That is already a sign that they are on the right track.

jmho. tlwmkw

 

[ThreeLittleBirds]

Sadly, I don't think this is going to have the impact that it should.

I grew up in PA, and I know all too well how dedicated folks are to their beloveds there -- be it the church, football, school -- doesn't matter.

Much like the archdiocese of Philadelphia's coverup of long term molestation, the Penn State cover up will be pushed under the rug, and excuses will be made as to why football should continue, and why Joe Paterno should remain as a demigod in the eyes of the world.

My own mother, a devout catholic, was involved in a conversation shortly after the grand jury investigation regarding the molestation coverups in her own church. These women went as far to say (and convince themselves) that the kids must have been lying.

Don't be shocked when such allegations against these Penn State kids comes up.

Joe Paterno and the whole program will go on being viewed as golden angels in the eyes of many. Disgusting. I hope they all rot...

 

[Sea Six]

Why is there no hate directed at McQueary, who actually witnessed Sanduskey in the act? The others knew about it, but never witnessed it. Mike was an adult and should be sharing the blame.

 

[ThreeLittleBirds]

Why is there no hate directed at McQueary, who actually witnessed Sanduskey in the act? The others knew about it, but never witnessed it. Mike was an adult and should be sharing the blame.

Because up until a few months ago, most of us had never even heard of him. On the flip side, most of us have heard of Joe Paterno, and have spent years witnessing the love, admiration, and respect the man was given. The fact that for the past 10 of those years he was covering up something so despicable brings about feelings of hate.

 

[amycurl]

I do think that the Death Penalty for the football program would send a message both of punishment and of warning to other big time sports schools.

And it would probably help the student body overall:
http://collegesportsbusinessnews.co...-biggest-scandal-in-american-higher-education

 

[SueDonJ]

Why is there no hate directed at McQueary, who actually witnessed Sanduskey in the act? The others knew about it, but never witnessed it. Mike was an adult and should be sharing the blame.

For the same reason I don't have any hate for the janitor who also witnessed Sandusky in the act, the janitor who told the Grand Jury and the Freeh commission that even as a Korean War vet what he witnessed in the Penn State showers was the most disturbing thing he'd ever seen.

McQueary and the janitor were bit players at Penn State. They knew that they were powerless to do anything, that it would be useless for them to involve authorities. They knew that when authorities had been notified in the past, the most powerful men on that campus had been able to close ranks and protect the football program from "bad publicity." They knew that "a culture of reverence" was at play and the only consequence of their reports would be their removal from Penn State.

I think McQueary deserves a great deal of the credit for Sandusky finally being exposed as a monster, and for exposing the culture that allowed Sandusky to use Penn State's football program as a shield to cover his criminal acts. Neither McQueary nor the janitor walked away from what they saw without asking for counsel from people who were also enmeshed in that toxic community. The janitor commiserated with his peers who agreed that he'd only be hurting himself if he went public. McQueary insisted to his dad, another bit player who lived a lifetime in that community, that at the very least he needed to report what he'd seen to Joe Paterno and he needed his dad's help to do so. I try to imagine the chutzpah (I guess that's the right word?) he had to summon in order to speak to Joe Paterno face-to-face about something that he'd been indoctrinated to ignore. It couldn't have been easy.

All that said, I don't think that trying to understand McQueary and the janitor means that they are above reproach. That's why I think the program needs to be shut down, because it's the cancerous culture that allowed probably otherwise good people to make very bad decisions. And that's why I think that every person who held a position of power at Penn State while all this was going on, and those others who knew but believed they were powerless to do anything about it, probably can't look at themselves in the mirror.

 

[ace2000]

Why is there no hate directed at McQueary, who actually witnessed Sanduskey in the act? The others knew about it, but never witnessed it. Mike was an adult and should be sharing the blame.

What do you hate about what he did? He saw the act and made sure it was stopped and then reported it to the authorities. I guess he could've tackled Sandusky right there on the spot, but who knows how we'd react at his age. He was just a young school-aged grad assistant at the time.

If you're looking for hate, there's plenty of hate from Penn State fans towards McQuery since it was his testimony that brought all this out and basically convicted Sandusky during his trial. We know this because the jury asked for his testimony while deliberating.

One thing we'll never know though is what his thoughts have been since the incident occurred. He knew Sandusky was not punished for what he saw, but continued to stay on as a football coach. He could definitely be faulted for that, but I don't think we'll ever know all the facts about that.

 

[jlf58]

I called this in the first penn state thread a few months ago. Anyone who follows college football knows schools live and die by thier fotball program at this level. Paterno protected his football program, period !!!!