My take on Penn State's reaction

[DFaceHawkeye]

At what time did someone within Penn State know that Sandusky was a child molester? It doesn't seem to be a disputed fact that somebody at Penn State knew this was happening as far back as 1998.

When was Jerry Sandusky actually arrested and his serial child rape finally stopped? 2011.

'Nuff said, as far as I am concerned.

It took fourteen frickin' years for someone in State College to gather enough gonads to risk negative exposure for the exalted football program and Saint Paterno and stop a child rapist.

What else does the NCAA need to know? How much due process is needed? Hardly anyone even disputes that Penn State harbored, protected, aided and abetted a serial child rapist for 14 years, simply to save face for Paterno and the football program.

PSU knew in 1998. He wasn't stopped until 2011. Case closed. That's all you need to know.

And it was the "football first and foremost" culture at Penn State that made it possible.

Do you think that Kirk Ferentz or Gary Barta could keep Sally Mason from reporting a felony committed on their campus? Even if they would have the inclination to try such a thing, which I highly doubt, even they do not have that much clout in Iowa City to do that.

In State College, PA, Joe Paterno had that much clout. That clout was derived from the beatification given him by the PSU faithful. The "football first" culture is what made it possible.

That HAS to change, not only at Penn State, but wherever it exists.

The purpose of the harsh sanctions given to Penn State is to not only punish the guilty, but to give the entire Penn State nation a time out away from being a competitive football team so they can sort out and reassess their priorities. Just as much the harsh penalties were a shot across the bow of every athletic program in the country, a warning: this could happen to you too! Get YOUR priorities right before something tragic happens at your school!

And this is obvious following the Coker situation last winter. KF's comments make it clear that it wasn't his decision.

[daverhawk]

Serious question - how long do the stages of grief usually last? The PSU boards are full of denial, and hate for everything not PSU. It seems to me that they are actually getting worse. But that may be because the moderators have banned almost everyone who disagrees with the cult of Paterno.

[Golfer]

Serious question - how long do the stages of grief usually last? The PSU boards are full of denial, and hate for everything not PSU. It seems to me that they are actually getting worse. But that may be because the moderators have banned almost everyone who disagrees with the cult of Paterno.

I don't know the official medical answer, but anyone who knows someone who has gone through a divorce should have an indication about how long that takes.

[hawkeyebob62]

A wise man once said that it is better to not speak and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

I'm sorry to say that you've essentially removed all doubt with the above post.

First, people suffer all the time from the actions of leadership. It comes with the territory. Ask the millions of workers whose leadership made horrible financial decisions and they lost their jobs. As fiduciaries, the leadership of organizations represent the organization itself. So when the leadership gets in trouble, the institution, by extension, also gets into trouble. That's the way it is.

As far as others not even getting charged, you may want to do some reading sometime. Both Curley and Schultz have both been charged with perjury and it is expected that Spanier will also be charged as well. JoePa, had he not died, most likely would have been charged with perjury as well.

<<JoePa, had he not died, most likely would have been charged with perjury as well>>

There has been absolutely NO substantiation of this. ZERO.

That said, the NCAA or B1G HAD to do SOMEthing. The issue is what limits, what process, etc.

[Billso]

At what time did someone within Penn State know that Sandusky was a child molester? It doesn't seem to be a disputed fact that somebody at Penn State knew this was happening as far back as 1998.

It's very much a disputed fact, as Sandusky was investigated for the 1998 "hugging" incident by the police, and cleared. Also, bob is correct that there is no substantiation in the Freeh report that Paterno lied to the GJ about 1998.

But I'm quibbling, because any doubt about Sandusky was removed in 2001. And that's bad enough.

[ThunderHawk]

Sounds like PSU trustees are set to ratify the NCAA sanctions and move forward, as they should.

Penn State trustees to ratify NCAA consent decree by phone | Latest news | CentreDaily.com

The coach is onboard too.

Penn State coach: We have to accept punishment, move forward - News - Citizens Voice

Perhaps sanity and decency are finally winning the day. We can only hope that their @$$hole fans follow suit.

[UP6936]

Sounds like PSU trustees are set to ratify the NCAA sanctions and move forward, as they should.

Penn State trustees to ratify NCAA consent decree by phone | Latest news | CentreDaily.com

The coach is onboard too.

Penn State coach: We have to accept punishment, move forward - News - Citizens Voice

Perhaps sanity and decency are finally winning the day. We can only hope that their @$$hole fans follow suit.

Good to see. Thanks for posting that, Thunder.

As with any large group of people, there will always be a certain percentage that will just not be happy, no matter what. It is good to see that the "adults" at PSU seem to be taking control of the situation. Most will eventually see their wisdom, although some never will.

[treychase]

There are a lot of very dumb people among us.

[1977Hawkeye]

Yep, and for the PSU fans who still don't "get it".. If they don't get it by now, then they never will. I feel sorry for people like that.

[Wavetowngolfer]

They are not going to "get it"! See what they are selling college bookstore. NCAA shirts with the C being Soviet hammer and sickle
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/08/09/controversial-t-shirt-sold-at-bookstore-on-penn-states-campus/

[UP6936]

They are not going to "get it"! See what they are selling college bookstore. NCAA shirts with the C being Soviet hammer and sickle
Controversial T-shirts At A Penn State Bookstore « CBS Philly

My response to them would be, if you have such a problem with the NCAA, you are free to leave it at any time.

[hawkeyebob62]

My response to them would be, if you have such a problem with the NCAA, you are free to leave it at any time.

Frankly, it's over. I just saw a blurb in Orlando Sentinel that said Bill O'Brien "discourages" any broad reactions to NCAA sanctions by PSU. That settles it for me. He is owning it, and for that I give him credit.

[Billso]

It'll really be over when the BOT votes Sunday to confirm Erickson's acceptance of the sanctions.

[Foval21]

My response to them would be, if you have such a problem with the NCAA, you are free to leave it at any time.

Frankly, it's over. I just saw a blurb in Orlando Sentinel that said Bill O'Brien "discourages" any broad reactions to NCAA sanctions by PSU. That settles it for me. He is owning it, and for that I give him credit.

just for the fun of pot stirring...could this be because he wants sanctions? could he possibly lose his extension if the sanctions are overturned. sounds like a good business plan by obrien if it was the case (i doubt it thoug).

[Billso]

Board of Trustees meeting is live now at WPSU / Channel One

They will not vote to ratify consent decree (or on anything else) tonight due to legal concern over lack of public notice. But they are going to discuss Freeh report and consent decree.

"We will first hear from Gene Marsh, the nationally
recognized expert in the field of NCAA enforcement, having
spent nine years on the NCAA committee on infractions,
including two as chair. Reviewing the discussions with NCAA that led up to the
decree.
After that president Erickson will discuss the rationale
for acceptance of the decree and why he believes it was
only real option available.
Steve Dunham will discuss president's Erickson to accept
the Consent Decree.
Ken Frazier will discuss the University's plan to
accept the decree.
Then we will hear about the public relations.
After that we will open the floor to trustees as
questions and comments."