College Football Gets a Black Eye Over Sex Scandal

[reformeddaytrader]

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Coach Joe Paterno is fighting for his job amid "eroding" support from Penn State's board of trustees and a widening sex-abuse scandal and possible cover-up centered on former assistant and one-time heir apparent Jerry Sandusky.

Paterno's regularly scheduled news conference was abruptly canceled Tuesday. A university spokesman cited "ongoing legal circumstances," a reference to charges announced over the weekend that Sandusky molested eight young boys between 1994 and 2009, and that two PSU administrators who have since stepped aside failed to notify authorities of a 2002 incident reported by an eyewitness.

Late Tuesday night, the board said it would appoint a special committee to conduct an investigation into the "circumstances" that resulted in the indictments of Sandusky, athletic director Tim Curley and vice president Gary Schultz. The committee will be appointed Friday at the board's regular meeting, which Gov. Tom Corbett said he plans to attend, and will examine "what failures occurred and who is responsible and what measures are necessary to ensure" similar mistakes aren't made in the future.

The board also promised those responsible would be held "fully accountable."

"We are committed to restoring public trust in the university," the board statement concluded



nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/45186257/ns/sports-college_football/

[steff]

not worth playing your games.....

[reformeddaytrader]

Nov 9, 2011 2:40:51 GMT -5 steff said:

It's not a "sex scandal"....it's a pedophile abusing young boys on a college campus. It's about abuse & those that knowingly covered it up & allowed the abuser to continue to use their facilities for his abuse.

at least respect the victims enough not to twist this into being just some random "sex scandal"....

Penn State sex scandal: Jerry Sandusky ran boys camps for years




Jerry Sandusky, the former assistant Penn State football coach charged with sexually assaulting at least eight boys, was allowed to operate a summer football camp for boys on a Penn State satellite campus for six year after school officials were told of his improper contacts with boys.

Penn State officials prohibited Sandusky from bringing boys onto the main campus at State College, Pa., in 2002 after a graduate student reported that he had seen Sandusky assault a boy in a locker room shower. But Sandusky operated a summer camp under his name from 2002 to 2008 at a satellite campus near Erie, Pa., where he had daily contact with boys from fourth grade to high school.

The Erie campus, known as Penn State Erie, the Behrend College, provided facilities to Sandusky, according to Bill Gonda, the school’s director of marketing communication. Gonda told the Associated Press that the school received no complaints about Sandusky during that period




latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/11/sandusky-penn-state-.html

[reformeddaytrader]

Nov 9, 2011 2:44:41 GMT -5 Lady Gaga Gaga Snerd said:

Or, maybe he does fall under that category, but he did report it. So, was that adequate or would he have been required to contact the police if considered a "mandated reporter" or is an internal report up the chain of command enough?

Most NCAAF fans have great respect for Joe Paterno but if he covered up for one of his assistant coaches then it will be a stain on his 45 year career as head coach at Penn State. This sex scandal is horrific and now we have to see the results of this investigation into another sex scandal at our of our colleges.

A few days ago we had a new report about Sexual Harassment in our schools and now this..not to even mention Herman and the ladies who think he was a " monster"... rather sad commentary on today's morals, values, and character

I am not sure Snerdley but this sex scandal at Penn State looks as if there was indeed a coverup to protect Sandusky IMHO

[reformeddaytrader]

Nov 9, 2011 3:29:43 GMT -5 Lady Gaga Gaga Snerd said:

I hope not. And, i don't know enough yet to say. It does sound as if the charges against Sandusky have alot of credibility. I disagree that Cain is part of any "sad commentary" and so far i have heard nothing but baseless charges against him. Not fair to lump one in with the other.

Cain is toast...Joe Paterno will resign in a few days And two Penn State Administrators will be found guily of covering up a crime...And Sandusky will be found guilty and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Mitt Romney will be the Republican candidate and defeat Obama in 2012 in the Presidential Race.....

How's that for making some tough calls....?? ;D

[reformeddaytrader]

Nov 9, 2011 7:24:43 GMT -5 Lady Gaga Gaga Snerd said:

Why does college have a "black eye"? You can't impugn an entire system because of the actions of a few.

You missed what what the title of the OP is: College Footbal Gets A Black Eye not all colleges. I used this discriptor because a football legend Joe Paterno may be involved in a cover up for one of his coaches.... I hope I am wrong because everyone who follows the NCAAF loves and respects Old Joe Pa who has done so much for college football.

The charges against Sandusky are horrific and troubling and apparently went on for several year and others at Penn State knew about what was going on with young boys which is very sad

To me this is far more serious than all of he sexual harassment aimed at Herman Cain...and a national tragedy if you love College Football and are a fan of Penn State and their Athletic Progarm

Let's just hope this is an isolated incident and doesn't happen at any other colleges..

[handyman2]

I have two friends that are former Penn state players and they are really upset. To them it is not the Joe Pa they know that is being portrayed on the news.
Universities have a procedure for everything. Did Joe Pa follow those procedures? do not know.
No matter how the investigation comes out he will be guilty in the public mind if nothing else guilty by association. Sad ending for an icon.

[reformeddaytrader]

Nov 9, 2011 9:46:53 GMT -5 handyman2 said:

I have two friends that are former Penn state players and they are really upset. To them it is not the Joe Pa they know that is being portrayed on the news.
Universities have a procedure for everything. Did Joe Pa follow those procedures? do not know.
No matter how the investigation comes out he will be guilty in the public mind if nothing else guilty by association. Sad ending for an icon.

Penn State coach Paterno has decided to retire at end of season, source tells AP

[Tennesseer]

Nov 9, 2011 3:29:43 GMT -5 Lady Gaga Gaga Snerd said:

I hope not. And, i don't know enough yet to say. It does sound as if the charges against Sandusky have alot of credibility. I disagree that Cain is part of any "sad commentary" and so far i have heard nothing but baseless charges against him. Not fair to lump one in with the other.

This is a laughable statement.

By your own words, women are automatically not credible but unknown victims are credible. Cain is innocent until found guilty yet Sandusky is guilty until found innocent.

[reformeddaytrader]

Nov 9, 2011 10:03:30 GMT -5 Lady Gaga Gaga Snerd said:

What does it have to do with college football? It was the actions of one perv at one college. It doesn't impugn college football at all.

It has all of us who are really into College Football very upset...these things with our kids are NOT supposed to happen ..it is something that troubles a lot of us who cannot believe the football program at Penn State would be involved with this sicko Jerry Sandusky.....just one man's opinion who has been into College football for a lot of years and very troubled by this news story....You could see sanctions against Penn State and some foks there thrown in jail.....this is bad, very bad IMHO

Penn State is probably the last college that I would have expected to see something like this happen with Joe Pa the coach

[reformeddaytrader]

Nov 9, 2011 10:39:31 GMT -5 Lady Gaga Gaga Snerd said:

Playing football has nothing to do with raping children and vice versa. He could just as easily been some rapist in some other industry. What is most disgusting is using his power and prestige and the guise of a charity. If he is indeed guilty, they should throw the book at him and he should never see the light of day again.

Let's pray and hope this is an isolated instance but so many kids were violated by a coach or mentor they and their families trusted.. This guy was caught having sex in the shower with some kid and his actions were reported to Joe Pa but he was never arrested and that has me to wonder WTF is going on at Penn State???

BTW it is a change for me to have a disagreement ..we seem to disagree today without being disagreeable and resorting to a lot of cheap shots... I am not used to this Ms Snerdley as you probably know?? But it is still early so watch for our Lurchers to pile on soon and just ignore them..


Paterno to retire after season amid scandal

Longtime Penn State coach embroiled in child abuse scandal involving ex-assistant



nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/45186257/ns/sports-college_football/

[daisylu]

I would not consider it a black eye for college football, but I am not a fan either.

I would call it a black eye for the university though, because so many people knew and did report anything to the authorities. Knowing how little was done from the time of the first incident, would you support your child attending that school?

[reformeddaytrader]

Nov 9, 2011 11:39:52 GMT -5 daisylu said:

I would not consider it a black eye for college football, but I am not a fan either.

I would call it a black eye for the university though, because so many people knew and did report anything to the authorities. Knowing how little was done from the time of the first incident, would you support your child attending that school?

Ok you are probably correct but I saw this story break yesterday on ESPN and wondered where were the NCAA officials on this?? What happened when it first began to be talked about at Penn State and were they asleep at the switch or was this sickness covered up so well at Penn State they didn't know..

[Forever Sunshine]

Penn State Board of Trustees has just announced minutes ago that he will NOT be allowed to finish the season! He's done as of immediately!

The Board also accepted the resignation of the President of the school.

[reformeddaytrader]

Nov 9, 2011 22:27:26 GMT -5 Forever Sunshine said:

Penn State Board of Trustees has just announced minutes ago that he will NOT be allowed to finish the season! He's done as of immediately!

The Board also accepted the resignation of the President of the school.

This should not come as a surprise to anyone...Joe Pa was in charge of the football program at Penn State and he could not perform as coach for the rest of the year with this sex scandal at Penn State going on.

The President of Penn State was also fired for not following up on the Sandusky sex acts with kids

[Forever Sunshine]

Oh it doesn't surprise me but what a terrible way to end a career.

[reformeddaytrader]

Nov 9, 2011 22:37:19 GMT -5 Forever Sunshine said:

Oh it doesn't surprise me but what a terrible way to end a career.

The Board of Trustees had no choice but to fire Joe Pa since Joe would not resign.....Joe Pa knew about Sandusky and he only passed the buck and never notified the Penn Police that a sexual pervert was having sex with kids ...Joe should have known when you know of a crime call the police or follow up on this after he reported it to the Penn State Administrators..

Having sex with kids is a serious crime and when it is covered up, the cover up is just as bad as the crime itself of worse.

[Forever Sunshine]

I can't argue that rdt! There's no way he should've not reported it but it happens every day where abuse is told to someone and that someone does nothing with the info. Not saying it's right; just that it happens more than we all want to know.

[reformeddaytrader]

Nov 9, 2011 22:44:56 GMT -5 Forever Sunshine said:

I can't argue that rdt! There's no way he should've not reported it but it happens every day where abuse is told to someone and that someone does nothing with the info. Not saying it's right; just that it happens more than we all want to know.

Joe could have investigated what happened and instead he just threw it in the lap of two Penn State Administrators who did nothing about it.. so why didn't Joe go over their heads or call the police??

Jerry Sandusky was raping kids for over ten years and he did it because he knew he could get away with it

[Forever Sunshine]

Yes, he absolutely should have. No question about it. At he very least, he should've followed up on the allegations and made sure the proper school officials he reported it to did something and if not, contact the police. He was negligent for sure.

Still, abuse happens and adults who know do nothing.

[steff]

Message deleted by steff.

[Forever Sunshine]

Yep, we know! ;D

[Forever Sunshine]

Tom Bradley will take over as interim head coach.

[Forever Sunshine]

Students are protesting and riot police have been called to the scene.

[daisylu]

I have been shocked as well that there still has not been any mention of the NCAA intervening. They are usually front and center, and so far I have not seen so much as a statement from them.

[mmhmm]

Frankly, I don't give a hoot about Joe Paterno, the grad student, or anyone else who knew about this and did little-to-nothing. I'm a lot more concerned about the abused.

[Forever Sunshine]

Seems McQueary has been put on "administrative leave" indefinitely and canNOT be fired due to the Commonwealth's "Whistle-blower" law.

[mmhmm]

Nov 10, 2011 5:20:02 GMT -5 daisylu said:

I have been shocked as well that there still has not been any mention of the NCAA intervening. They are usually front and center, and so far I have not seen so much as a statement from them.

I imagine they can all be found in their bedroom closets, praying (if they're so inclined). They're just hoping the dust raining down from this mess doesn't fall on them ... and some of it well may.

[Forever Sunshine]

In 1986, the Pennsylvania Legislature enacted Pennsylvania’s “Whistleblower Law,” declaring it unlawful for any employer to “discharge, threaten or otherwise discriminate or retaliate” against an employee in compensation or in terms or conditions of employment because the employee has made, or is about to make, a good faith report to the employer or to an “appropriate authority” about an instance of “wrongdoing or waste.” The Act, codified at 43 P.S. § 1421, et seq., also renders it unlawful for an employer to discriminate or retaliate against an employee because he or she has been requested by an appropriate authority to participate in an investigation, hearing or inquiry regarding the employer’s alleged wrongdoing or waste.

www.wolfbaldwin.com/attorneys_lawyers/articles.asp?ArticleID=28

I'm guessing nothing will happen to Mike McQueary given the above. I'm sorry but, IMO, McQueary should be fired as well. He was, I believe, 28 when he witnessed this and at that age, should know enough to stop the act and report it to police; not Paterno. If Mike McQueary is permitted to stay on the staff at Penn State, I will have lost total faith in the school and the criminal justice system.

[tallguy]

Am I the only person outside of Happy Valley that thinks they would need more information before firing Coach Paterno? My first question would be, "What exactly did Mike McQueary tell Paterno?" I can certainly see a situation where a young graduate assistant, so afraid of the encounter that he fails to intercede and instead goes to see his father, and then having to report to his former coach and current boss (who is also old enough to be his grandfather) may have been embarrassed and not been as explicit as should have been necessary in his reporting. McQueary was both specific and explicit in his grand jury testimony but was he also in his report to Paterno?

My second question would be, "What was discussed in the meeting between Paterno, Curley, and Schultz?" If Paterno was not given all the details by McQueary he could not have passed them on. And what was he told by Curley and Schultz? Curley was the athletic director and Schultz oversaw the campus police. Did they assure Paterno that it would be reported and investigated? And was Paterno present when McQueary spoke with Curley and Schultz?

I am not at all defending Joe Paterno. He was doubtlessly at least negligent for not following up on the matter, at least enough to discover what the resolution was. But was he engaged in a coverup? I don't know. The grand jury apparently didn't think so, although Curley and Schultz are facing charges.

If Paterno knew and was part of a coverup he should most definitely have been fired, and possibly charged. (And one almost has to think he knew.) But if he was merely negligent in not following up on the matter I would maybe have allowed him to resign after the season. I fully understand why Penn State fired him, needing to appear proactive and have the public believe that they will not tolerate anything of this nature. And yes, he is certainly the most public face involved, but wouldn't the grand jury have said something if they believed him that much at fault?