Penn State Scandal

[Ironhead]

There is an ugly mess coming out of Penn State University.
Allegations of sexual abuse. Officials turning the other cheek or attempting to covering it up.

Jerry Sandusky, former defensive coordinator of the Nittany Lions, was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing eight boys.
Tim Curley, athletic director and Gary Schultz, vice-president of business and finance were also arraigned. both resigned their positions.

If you have not heard about this story here is a newspaper link.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigten/story/2011-11-07/Penn-State-sexual-abuse-investigation-continues/51116880/1

 

[Ironhead]

Here is another link to the story in the Toronto Star.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/college/article/1082813--kelly-paterno-can-stop-the-shredding-of-his-legacy




I want to turn your attention to this part from the above link.

It isn’t hard to imagine McQueary’s confusion and alarm. He phoned his father. The next day, a Saturday, the pair went to the home of Penn State’s head coach, Joe Paterno, to explain what McQueary had seen. Paterno, in turn, called his own boss, athletic director Tim Curley. A week and a half later, McQueary was summoned to a meeting with Curley and university vice-president Gary Schultz. He told the story again.

And then it was buried. No one phoned the police or a child protective agency. Curley and Schultz compiled a report. By the time it was kicked up to Penn State’s president, he remembered it as an allegation of “horsing around” rather than rape.

Should Paterno get off free of any charges ?
He knew it happened, but also did not report it and he had/has the highest public profile of all.

I like(not sure if that is past tense yet) Joe 'JoePa' Paterno, but I do not think I can give him a pass on this one. Just my opinion.

 

[pencilneckgeek2]

From Bruce Arthur (National Post) on twitter @bruce_arthur:


Penn State really has become the Vatican. You know how "Kent State" has come to mean something? My guess is Penn State is headed there.

(later) And a great point from a wise man: "No, Penn State is Saigon right before the fall. The Vatican still stands."

Paterno is a good Catholic boy, he's familiar with the system.

 

[Sexy_Dave]

Penn St. scandal should force Paterno out

We worship corporations and institutions. Our Supreme Court granted them First Amendment rights. The Fourth Estate, the alleged watchdogs of democracy, acts as their mouthpiece.

There should be no surprise that protecting Joe Paterno, Penn State, Happy Valley and Linebacker U — profit-generating institutions at the core of big-time college athletics’ amateur myth — appears to have taken precedence over the protection of children.

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefoo...ndusky-blame-Joe-Paterno-Nittany-Lions-110711


Report: Penn St. planning Paterno's exit

Penn State University officials are discussing how to end the historic career of football coach Joe Paterno after the school was rocked by child sex abuse charges leveled against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefoo...Paterno-exit-amid-sexual-abuse-scandal-110811

 

[MayDay Malone]

Given high-ranking administrators (allegedly) knew and ignored these assaults, there will be a lot of calls for the NCAA "Death Penalty" and the more of these sickening details emerge, the more I am in favour of that step.

 

[shack]

Should Paterno get off free of any charges ?
He knew it happened, but also did not report it

He is in the clear, because the Star also says he DID report it.

 

[MayDay Malone]

He is in the clear, because the Star also says he DID report it.

He may not be, because he failed to report it to the police which he was required to do under Pennsylvania law, although it would take a real ballsy prosecutor to go after him.

 

[Rockslinger]

With so many career options why do some men take jobs involving underage boys (or girls)? Ever coach a girls' soccer team?

Whew, Penn State is not Ivy League. I got it confused with University of Pennslyvania(sp).

 

[HOF]

Penn States final home game is this weekend! Get the picture!

Remember another guy named Knight @ Indiana.

Too many sports fans place coaches on mantles.



It's 8 boys over 15 years @ the second mile program, and there is a ninth person come forward being reported on espn now.

 

[HOF]

With so many career options why do some men take jobs involving underage boys (or girls)? Ever coach a girls' soccer team?

Whew, Penn State is not Ivy League. I got it confused with University of Pennslyvania(sp).[/QUOTE

Most coaching positions are voluntary for boys & girls sports. It's an admirable position and thankless to boot.

There will always be undesirable individuals that slip through the cracks because they've never been caught and vulnerable sector checks don't read minds!

Never be alone with a child/player, anything can be interpreted by a child/player or on-looker. It takes only one remark to start the scandal that can ruin someone's life true or untrue the stigma stays. Teaching is no different.

 

[HOF]

From Bruce Arthur (National Post) on twitter @bruce_arthur:


Penn State really has become the Vatican. You know how "Kent State" has come to mean something? My guess is Penn State is headed there.

(later) And a great point from a wise man: "No, Penn State is Saigon right before the fall. The Vatican still stands."

Paterno is a good Catholic boy, he's familiar with the system.

Joe Pa isn't accused of abusing anyone physically or sexually so the remark is unwarranted. As the story broke on Sunday, it was reported that Joe Pa had been informed of the accusations years ago and went to the AD and VP. In my opinion, he should have done what he did but should have gone to the proper authorities. He should not have passed the buck onto anyone else.

PTI today, Wilbon says, Paterno needs to leave. Kornheiser says, Paterno stays.

 

[Stradler]

Paterno must leave, he should have done more then just go to the AD and VP. Once he realized nothing was being done he should have reported it to the authorities. His job is not only coaching and winning football games, it is teaching student atheletes how to become men. How could he have let Sandusky stay on?

 

[maurice93]

Joe Paterno may have met his legal obligations, but he did not meet his moral obligations -- and given his position of power, his ability to impact others, those moral obligations are high. This is not just a coach who turned a blind eye to a student cheating on an exam. This was such a more heinous act that was being covered up. Covering up cheating seems so little compared to what happened here. It would be beyond ridiculous to have a culture where a coach is fired for cheating, but is not forced to resign for this.

 

[pencilneckgeek2]

Joe Pa isn't accused of abusing anyone physically or sexually so the remark is unwarranted....

I believe it is warranted. That's the way the Catholic Church handles pedophiles and rapists within their hierarchy.
They attempt to sweep the situation under the rug, ignore, ignore, ignore, deny, deny, deny and only when faced with irrefutable evidence do they acknowledge the situation even exists. That is how Penn State University handled this matter.

 

[fanofdo]

I am torn on this one. On one hand I agree that he probably should have done more once he learned of the issue. The person that reported seeing the incident to Paterno was a graduate assistant - why is he not being held accountable for not calling the police as an eye witness?

The question is how many people knew? I am guessing that there are literally hundreds and what duty do they have and are they going to pay the same price for a moral obligation? He has to answer himself in regards to his obligation morally, it shouldn't cost him his job.

 

[Ironhead]

Paterno must leave, he should have done more then just go to the AD and VP. Once he realized nothing was being done he should have reported it to the authorities. His job is not only coaching and winning football games, it is teaching student atheletes how to become men. How could he have let Sandusky stay on?

I agree wholeheartedly.

Joe Paterno may have met his legal obligations, but he did not meet his moral obligations -- and given his position of power, his ability to impact others, those moral obligations are high. This is not just a coach who turned a blind eye to a student cheating on an exam. This was such a more heinous act that was being covered up. Covering up cheating seems so little compared to what happened here. It would be beyond ridiculous to have a culture where a coach is fired for cheating, but is not forced to resign for this.

He did what he should have, but once he realized they were not going to do anything about it, it was on him and the witness to go to the authorities. He should have followed up on the situation and asked 'have the police been contacted ?'.
Even an anonymous tip would have sufficed.

I am torn on this one. On one hand I agree that he probably should have done more once he learned of the issue. The person that reported seeing the incident to Paterno was a graduate assistant - why is he not being held accountable for not calling the police as an eye witness?

The question is how many people knew? I am guessing that there are literally hundreds and what duty do they have and are they going to pay the same price for a moral obligation? He has to answer himself in regards to his obligation morally, it shouldn't cost him his job.

The GA should also be questioned, but he is the only one I would consider giving a pass.
Paterno should definitely have gone to the authorities once the department heads decided to do nothing. He is an adult and I believe he did break the law by not reporting the incident.
I am VERY disappointed in Joe Paterno.






Tim Curley and Gary Schultz of course are at the top of the list. They should have done the 'right thing' from the start.

 

[fanofdo]

The GA should also be questioned, but he is the only one I would consider giving a pass.
Paterno should definitely have gone to the authorities once the department heads decided to do nothing. He is an adult and I believe he did break the law by not reporting the incident.
I am VERY disappointed in Joe Paterno.

Apparently he is working at the University now and was a former quarterback on the team - why would he be given a pass. At the time he had graduated with a degree, ready to go out into society.

I too am disappointed in Paterno - having said that, he should NOT pay a bigger price than anyone else that knew and I believe there are hundreds and not just a handful. The fucking perv coach had been barred from being around the kids - many people had to have known.

Regardless it is a shame what has happened and my opinion isn't going to change anything. It makes you wonder how much of this bullshit goes on - church, cub scouts, juniour hockey teams and now one of the most respected college football teams. If anything good is to come of this, anyone that knows of this activity they should be calling the police right now.

 

[rld]

I actually met Sandusky a few times at the "Coach of the Year" coaching clinics they put on up here in Toronto and I am stunned by the accusations. He was a really brilliant chap.

Anyways, Joe will not be charged because the prosecution has determined he has done nothing illegal. He testified willingly in front of the Grand Jury and is expected to be a witness for the prosecution if the case goes to trial.

This scandal, will however, do great harm to the program at Penn State.

 

[fanofdo]

JoPa to retire at the end of this year according to ESPN and various sources. This Saturday his last home game.

 

[Ironhead]

If I heard correctly Joe Paterno has been relieved of his duties effective immediately, which means he will NOT be the HC this Saturday.