The NCAA is today a wild west linch mob. What the hell has happened to our legal system in our country when a private organization as NCAA can demand any amount of financial restitution from Penn State University, a PUBLIC Financed state educational facility and demand millions of dollars in restitution for alleded crimes from this State University. If PSU's Board had any decency they would have all resigned when they fired Coach Paterno. The same or next day would have proved that they cared about the victims of Sandusky.
They say the power of Penn State and Paterno was too great and had to be reduced. I say
that the NCAA power is too great and demanding of all college football. Paterno will always be the most winning foolball coach inspite of those present coaches who will most benefit in
trying to replace Paterno the easy way by decree of the NCAA. What a farce!
I truly hope that a Federal Congressional investigation be held in Washington to force all those involved in criminal actions to testify publicly all that transpired with Penn State Football. Otherwise this NCAA action will fuel may more potential illegal and unsustified
actions far beyond their authority.
Bill Savarese - 12 years ago
Those who sit in judgement over others should walk a mile in their shoes. It is so easy to say SANCTION OR END PENN STATE Football. People who say that have little or know common felling for humanity. The victims of these terrible crimes should go in the grace of our lord,but taking the football program away from all the innocent people of "Happy Valley" would be a crime in it's own right. At this writing the NCAA HAS ACTED WITH HYPOCRACY,MALICE ,AND A DISTURBING LACK OF HUMAN FEELING. The sanctions they wrongly have levied on Penn State FOOTBALL are unfair and the finest example of FRONTIER JUSTICE I have ever seen in my lifetime. I am a 60yr.old long time High School Teacher ,Coach,and Sports official. The value of participation in sports is far reaching ,to cripple innocent members of any progam in a school for crimes commited by others is against the Democratc Justice Sytem that America has so carefully built. There is no guilt left on the football field at Penn State. In this country the innocent should be left to freely pursue their lives without restriction.
Leonard smith - 12 years ago
Does anybody else find it interesting that the peoria that paid 6.5 million for the investigation are the people that got to move up the ladder in penn state to replace the people they got fired by having the investigation. I think there was another shooter in the gravelly ditch. Maybe now we have a scandal big enought to put the JFK thing to rest. This thing is going to stink for years. Why doesn't Tom corbet lose his position in the state. He knew of this while it was happening now he is the governor of pa. Why do current players need to feel remorse for what happened. Maybe we should get shut down as a country for what our ancestors did with slaves. We are all guilty for not being remorseful enough for things we didn't do. Why shouldn't Alabama players need to be remorseful about what happened in penn state. They had just as much to do with it as penn state players did.
Dennis - 12 years ago
It's the students and the alumni that have elevated football to the level of being a religion, and in doing so have turned coaches like Joe Paterno, into God like figures. The old saying of "Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely" couldn't be more true with regards to the students and the alumni turning the Penn State Universities football program into a religion with Joe Paterno, as the deity. Continuing the program without severely squashing this concept will not drive the students and alumni to realize what has transpired within the program. The football program consciously disregarded morality in order to protect itself. I have never seen one student or alumn express concern for the victims. There only expressed concern is for their precious football program!! Look around the country and you will quickly realize that athletic programs have hijacked the American educational system and have turned it into a mockery!
Shayla Sanders - 12 years ago
Shutting down the football program will not prove anything. Every single person who has been convicted is either fired, in jail fior life, or passed away. There are the lively hood of students we have to think of. Penn State University is known for its football, and the students are proud of their football team, and even still they are proud of the former coach. Taking away the football program will break their sprit as a whole ars well as individually. Let the people who did the crime pay, not the students they are not to blame.
Dennis McCulloch - 12 years ago
I find it incredulous that in light of the moral bankruptcy that has been evident over the last several years that the students and alumni have remained defiant, and have exhibited absolutely no remorse. The penalties handed down by the NCAA and the Big 10 are pathetically minor by comparison with gravity of the crimes committed. Penn State University and the elected officials of the State of Pennsylvania have failed to take the moral high ground and shut down the football program for a meaningful period of time as a means of demonstrating contrition. This not a paltry year but something like three to five-years. The students and the alumni are not capable of bringing themselves to make a heart felt apology, but the governor and the legislature should apologize to the nation for having so grievously embarrassed the United States! However I am not going to hold my breath waiting for this to happen! Penn State University will suffer the indignation of the nation for many years and will no longer be taken seriously as an "Institution". Shame on the students and alumni!!
Tamela - 12 years ago
I believe that Penn State should shut the football program down for 2 years. It is horrible that the program knew about what was going on and did nothing about it. Who knows how many innocent children were involved and never came forward. I am a huge football fan and have in the past respected Coach Paterno. ( I live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, home of the Crimson Tide) now I have no respect for him or the others involved. His statue should come down. No matter what NCAA sanctions are placed on the program State should shut it down. These players can find somewhere else to play with a scholarship. So sorry for "Happy Valley"
Let us have some perspective....... to cut scholarships.... little importance..... the school has benefited over these past 10+ years ( that coach had knowledge) with many millions of $.... let them kill the program for 2 years and continue to pay the service people, etc.
The school and the Trustees have to show some humility at this time.
The Paterno family in fighting the accusations are only making the matters worse.
They should shut up, and Mrs. Paterno should be glad that she was not charged.
Lance - 12 years ago
I know what was done was wrong to a degree no one could tolerate. But the punishment of shutting down the football program will punish more people who had nothing to do with the crime. I do understand what has to be done to send a message. If the football program is shutdown my company and many others will go bankrupt. Putting at least 1000 people out of a job. Before we go after football we should get to the bottom of Gov. Corbetts involvement in the cover-up. And we are still missing a DA from here who was going after Sandusky 8 years ago.
Karl - 12 years ago
Enough already about how doing the right thing-- shutting down Penn State Football-- would harm the the innocent 'student athletes'. Give them all an extra year of eligibility and send them on their way to other schools, who will be happy to have them. And anyway, isn't Division 1A football simply the minor leagues for the NFL?
And also get off the thought that Paterno did so much for his players. He simply took already talented, motivated ball players and did the same thing any other coach would try and do: Make them into a winning team. And ancient Joe didn't do so great a job of that, in recent years.
And would Jay Paterno please shut the hell up? His father's monstrous actions cannot possibly be explained away.
Stan, a big Joe Paterno fan, in the past - 12 years ago
I've been a big fan of Paterno, Penn State Football & College Football, but also horrified by what happened here. This is the biggest College Football scandal, by a landslide. I sympathize with those of you that say don't punish the innocent players, students and local businesses. But this criminal activity, at such a high level, needs atonement. Joe Paterno is dead, his statue is down, Sandusky in jail for the rest of his life, and many who did the cover up gone. Anyone else in the program that covered it up need to also go, and/or be prosecuted. The students will still get a great education. The University should financially take care of the current players who they have screwed. The University should shut the football program down for 3 years, as difficult as that is. And dedicate it's future program and University's purpose to innocent youths. If it does this right, the football program in the future can become a model program, as I used to think it was.
Christine - 12 years ago
Why would you punish the players for something they didn't do or could even control?! As a fellow D1 athlete, I believe that the coaching staff should be cleared out, but don't take the game away from these athletes. These kids have worked their whole lives for this opportunity to play for the school and the sport they love. Some bad decisions were made on the faculty's part, but I'm almost positive that if a player would have known about it, they would have said something to make sure their future and the future of the football program would stay in tact. For the whole school atmosphere, the memories from football season, whether you are a player or a spectator is something you can't replicate, so taking football away from the school will be a death penalty to every student at Penn State. The students need a football team now more than ever to rally around and build their school back up from the ground.
J.J. - 12 years ago
Burn it to the ground!, wayyy to many delusional idiots still worshipping at the alter of that fraud Joe Paterno. The whole culture needs to change at Penn St., too many on here worried about losing their precious football program. I say they deserve to have the football program shut down for at least 5 years. And to all you blind idiots who are more worried about their beloved football program, i ask, how would you feel if YOUR child was one of the victims of these horrific crimes?, bet you'd feel a little different then. Oh and BTW, take the damn statue down!, it shows that the people in charge don't give a shit, and neither do those still taking up for that pedophile enabler Joe Paterno!, or better yet build another statue of Sandusky butt f*****g a small child and turn joe's statue around where his back is facing it! Idiots, the whole damn lot of you, I hope Pedo U never plays football again, and if they do i'll certainly be rooting against them be it football, jacks, or tiddly winks. Shut it down!, it's been irrelevant for the last 20 years anyway, nobody in college football will even miss it!
sbow - 12 years ago
All this discussion about giving Penn State the death sentence. While what happened at Penn State is a travesty and those that overlooked this for so long should be punished severely, I have to question those that are jumping on the band wagon seeking that program's demise. I believe those that are speaking out really despise the whole NCAA Football system. Please remember that NCAA Football is a BIG business that churns hundreds or millions of dollars into the economy. It also provides educational opportunities for those that would never have the opportunity to get a college education (not just athletes and football players). Is it right and just to penalize an entire institution when so few did so much wrong? Remember if the football program is killed, it will not only impact the university, its students, and its employees, it will negatively impact State College and Central Pa for years to come; killing small businesses, creating unemployment, eliminating opportunities for young people, removing employment opportunities for students, killing non-revenue generating sports at Penn State,....Shall we keep going? Lets get off the political band wagon, punish the perpetrators to the greatest extent of the law, enforce the laws that are currently on the books, and provide lifelong support to those young men that were so wronged by a few corupt men. Lets look at the bigger picture and do what is right, not just the emotional feel good response that so many are advocating. Lets not punish the football team, students, and people of Central Pa when they are as horrified about this situation as anyone else it.
Darth - 12 years ago
As a Penn State alumnus, PA resident and admitted sports fan, I am continually amazed at the delusion and paranoia of a far-too-great segment of Nittant Lion fans. It's easy to blame Sandusky, Spanier, Schultz, Curley, and ESPN (but never Saint Joe). It's a lot tougher to look in the mirror and acknowledge the obvious...IT'S THE CULTURE, STUPID! Yes, suspending football for 1 or 2 yrs will be costly and painful...it needs to be. Nothing less will even dent the mania that envelops "Happy Valley." The games will be missed; the football program will be diminished; but the UNIVERSITY will be strengthened.
Ellen - 12 years ago
I am a student here at penn state. All I can say is if you don't go here, you don't understand. Why would you want to punish the football players and students who put their hearts into those games, they didn't do anything wrong. Clear the staff. They are the ones at fault. But continue to play the game. For the students, and for the players who have dreams of making something out of it.
Larry - 12 years ago
This is alot worse than receiving money under the table that put SMU on the Death Penalty. When do we stop pappering these athletes and coachs and give them what they deserve. This was a crime that rates second to none on the list of crimes committed in atheletics. How many young people were abused after Penn State was made aware of this problems, that might have been stopped. Death Penalty!!!!!
If Penn State is truly the great institution I believe it is, it will shut down the football program for five years, implement mandatory child abuse education for all staff and employees, and develop and implement community programs for the prevention of child abuse. The education will include how men who call themselves "Catholics" and "Christians" can criminally sexually abuse children and/or turn a blind eye to such abuse in direct opposition to their moral, ethical, civil, and legal duties.
Freddy - 12 years ago
The emotional ,physical ,psycological. damages the victims were inflicted is a life sentence and pales in comparison to whatever punishment PENN STATE will receive. Freddy of. W/C
Red - 12 years ago
I am appalled that a third of our nation puts college football over the welfare of children. Really… 32% say play on Penn State? This is what has happened to our education system in America. We are so worried about football while our entire country is being taken over by foreigners who have educated themselves better than us and therefore more qualified to do professional work. Wake up America!!!
dburtzo - 12 years ago
this whole thing makes me sick. i went to Penn State for med school and i know how important the football program is to the school . i agree with the others that say it should not be shut down but shoud be restructured and designed to help abused childer. Put in new leadership and allow the program to continue with constant attention towards the prevention of this kind of abuse in the future: every game played a portion of any profit made goes towards programs to help abused children, on every uniform and helmet put a blue ribbon and every game starts with a moment of silence from the players . Penn State is a good school and there are good people that are part of that school.Let them show the world that the bad guys are gone and Penn States pride is not in victory on the football field but in it's strength to change what was wrong in the past and be an example worth following for the future.
Creig Hoyt - 12 years ago
If Penn State wants to be taken seriously as an academic institution it must shutdown its football team and allow the rest of the university's activities to emerge from the smothering,
corrupt effect of the football program. If Penn State ultimately revises football it should be dedicated to making certain that the football program is only one of many extra-curricular activities at a university where academics are recognized and supported as the primary activity of the institution. If the football program falters, so be it.
Houseboat Dweller
Bev - 12 years ago
Let Joe rest in peace he is not here to defend himself and dont punish the boys who want to play football punish the higher ups that deserve it.
el the trucker - 12 years ago
You have to shut it down.Players are going to exit anyways and the level of recruits that you need to compete at a high d1 big ten program will not be answering the door. What is going to happen here is a natural death penalty. If they play it will be blow out after blow out. Remember Tom Obien only recieved a contract of 950 a year very very low especially for that high level. Penn State anticipated a shut down when canned that fraud. Plus the players should walk the coaching staff that knew what sandusky was doing for thirty years or more were still on the staff until this year. One more comment this is the sickest crime the devil put jerry sandusky amongst you. FUCK YOU.
Janos de Bobula - 12 years ago
Penn State is not a pro sport organization. It's purpose is to educate the youth of the state. The athletic program is an adjunct to the educational mission not a necessity for it (even with its revenue stream). The management personnell of the football sector had visited an irreversibly damaging moral wound upon the the university and its leadership. It seem to me, the solution is to cut out the the football program as it exists, level its ground and cover it with salt (biblically speaking). Then, and only then can the university think about building a new football structure, on new ground which does not have any component dragged over from the regrettable past.
el the trucker - 12 years ago
You have to shut it down.Players are going to exit anyways and the level of recruits that you need to compete at a high d1 big ten program will not be answering the door. What is going to happen here is a natural death penalty. If they play it will be blow out after blow out. Remember Tom Obien only recieved a contract of 950 a year very very low especially for that high level. Penn State anticipated a shut down when canned that fraud. Plus the players should walk the coaching staff that knew what sandusky was doing for thirty years or more were still on the staff until this year. One more comment this is the sickest crime the devil put jerry sandusky amongst you. FUCK YOU.
Paul - 12 years ago
It is insane to punish the football players, fans, alumnae, faculty and State College business owners who had nothing to do with the unethical University leadership. The only ones who should suffer severe consequences are the perpetrators.
Paul - 12 years ago
It is insane to punish the football players, fans, alumnae, faculty and State College business owners who had nothing to do with the unethical University leadership. The only ones who should suffer severe consequences are the perpetrators.
The people responsible for hurting the kids are no longer in charge or are now in jail. They will never hurt anyone again. So why are all these "do-gooders" out after the rest of the kids at that school? Why does the NCAA want to punish all the others who are innocent because of the former acts of those who are now gone. That would be like convicting witnesses of a crime because they saw it happen and "failed" to prevent it. That's EXACTLY what is now going on by all the "Law And Order" types who are AFRAID FOR THEMSELVES of looking "SOFT ON CRIME" and are now on a WITCH HUNT to show how tough they are! (Even though the NCAA negligently allowed it to happen UNDER THEIR WATCH.) No one now will be satisfied now until they MAKE IT WORSE by going along with the mob mentality that is OUT FOR BLOOD.
Hypocrites all.
vegasgaucho9 - 12 years ago
When you see a fire you call the fire department, when you see a bank robbery you call the police......when you see a child being raped in a shower at Penn State, you first ponder how saving that child and others might adversely impact your cash cow football program....that is what Paterno did.....pay the players for god sake......call it what it is.....one more thing.......i am unaware of any "Paternoville" camps in the SEC....shutting the program down will get you your seven precious saturday afternoons back sooner than if you do nothing.....GREAT MEN PROTECT CHILDREN........GREAT MEN PROTECT CHILDREN.
PS Neutral - 12 years ago
I agree with @anonymous...the penalty will happen anyway. If Penn State is smart, they will preempt the NCAA and take a positive step forward. Anyone who thinks this event does not warrant the death penalty is simply delusional.
Canes vote for death penalty - 12 years ago
Amazing how when the U was being raked over the coals for the whole Shapiro thing, EVERYONE was calling for the death penalty for Miami. I'm not condoning what Miami's players did, it was wrong and we should pay the price, but not with a death penalty. Now, PSU's violations are crimes against children perpetrated by an adult team leader. Oh yeah, and other team leaders knew about it and did NOTHING. The guy raped boys not just once or twice, but dozens of times. I say DEATH to PSU's football program. Ban it for as long as needed, but there should not be some artificial timeline put on it to appease people. The wounds of the victims won't heal in 1-2 years. I say ban it for at least a decade and then revisit it. It is a game and we need to value our fellow man more than this stupid institution known as football. Hang 'em high!
haters - 12 years ago
Just so all you low life, PSU haters are aware...alumni and students at PSU have already raised millions of dollars with ALL proceeds going to child abuse victims in PA. Get an f ing life and try putting your energy into something useful...I can't even fathom the ridiculousness of shutting down the football program...HOW STUPID CAN YOU BE? Give me one good reason as to how that possibly does any good to the victims. Morons!!!
SWBones - 12 years ago
This is an institutionalized failure and not merely a couple of bad actors covering something up. I am appalled that some of these posts suggest merely punishing the guilty. It is clear that the University needs a little help in putting its football program in perspective and nothing short of the death penalty can start to achieve that.
By comparison, look at Tressel at OSU. He lost his job, players were banned, season(s?) vacated, ongoing bowl bans and restrictions on scholarships. For what? Cash starved players trading memorabilia for cash and tats and Tressel's obvious failure to report this violation of NCAA rules. PSU covered up known sexual abuse of minors!!! And still allowed access to the showers afterwards!!! Death penalty!!!
Neil Gage - 12 years ago
Penn State should never be allowed to participate in any football program anywhere ever again. It's the idol worship of athletes, and, more importantly, the money they generate, that led to their honestly believing they were above the law and that the sacrifice of young people was well worth their own survival. Permanently eliminating PSU's football program will send a clear message to every other school that in the end you WILL be found out, and that continuing to tacitly approve of child molestation by doing nothing will result in damage far worse than any that could be done by addressing the issue.
Neil Gage - 12 years ago
Penn State should never be allowed to participate in any football program anywhere ever again. It's the idol worship of athletes, and, more importantly, the money they generate, that led to their honestly believing they were above the law and that the sacrifice of young people was well worth their own survival. Permanently eliminating PSU's football program will send a clear message to every other school that in the end you WILL be found out, and that continuing to tacitly approve of child molestation by doing nothing will result in damage far worse than any that could be done by addressing the issue.
Earl B Frederick - 12 years ago
Not only should Penn State shut down it's Football program, but, the NCAA should
be shut down as well. Sports at the college level have become an obscenity. Colleges and
Universities should concentrate on education, not "semi-professional" sports. Winston
Churchill's quote comes to mind: "No sports."
Money is not the root of all evil, but the LOVE of money is. The NCAA goes farther, cultivating, encouraging the lust for money.
anonymous - 12 years ago
Sadly, this is an "efficient" decision for Penn State. They are going to be punished; they might as well get some good PR out of it and end the %#*@storm of bad press they are getting every second these days. And this is coming from someone who thinks the victims are not getting enough attention in the circus show that is the Penn State story. By psu coming out and saying they've decided not to play ball next year, it also shows they care and is the first step in building a university that puts human beings first.
michael wilson - 12 years ago
Penn State deserves more than the loss of sports. The investigations are showing a massive cover-up by school administrators, coaches, athletes, politicians, law enforcement, and perhaps the NCAA itself. How can the NCAA not have heard about this? If we're going to clean house, then let's get it done right, and it starts with the NCAA. Penn State should be given the death sentence, but so too should University of Miami. How can USC be so wrongfully disciplined, when there was NO proof, and yet Jo Pa and the predators involved covered up such a crime?
DM - 12 years ago
What it comes down to is EVERYONE knew better. You may be speaking of football but this is an institution of higher learning...a university. EVERYONE KNEW BETTER. There doesn't seem to be much difference between Penn State and the Catholic Church! This is CHILD ABUSE we're talking about. Close down the damn program. WTFU!
SG - 12 years ago
Its called Platoon discipline.. It seems like football fans should get that. It punishes the system that allowed the abuse. The people responsible are being punished, some are being criminally prosecuted. The fans and students they are being punished too but if you remember they rioted at Penn state when Paterno was fired.. They rioted because the university fired a coach for protecting a CHILD MOLESTER. Its time they all took a step back and remembered whats important. Kill the program. Clearly the university staff and students need to grow up before they take on the responsibly of a football program again.
BP - 12 years ago
Jerry Sandusky actions have already negatively effected the lives of his victims , current Penn State athletes, students, alumni and residents of State College. By shutting down the Penn State football program Jerry Sandusky and those who covered up the scandal will continue to negatively affects the lives of young adults - the current student athletes and students at Penn State. What happened at Penn State is not the fault of these athletes or students nor the businesses or residents of Happy Valley. However, they will pay a steep price if the football program is suspended. Make those who covered up the scandal accountable. Furthermore, require Penn State to contribute a portion of all proceeds this season to a fund set up for abuse victims in the State of PA. This way something positive comes out of this horrible situation and maybe healing can begin.
DM - 12 years ago
While their actions were ultimatley wrong I am am not self righteuos enough to believe that I would have done anything differently. I doubt that Joe activley conspired to conceal anything to protect the footbal program. It was the honest and integrity that he and we all valued most. I believe its far more likely that he used poor judgement and probably thought he was helping Sandusky get help for some kind of bizarre but consensual gay relationship that someone had stumbled upon. I dont think he knew abouty the 98 investigation because 1. he said he didnt 2. the only evidence is a reference form Curley or Schultz that they were in contact with him re the investigation and 3. as far as I can tell no one other than Curley or Schultz had any knowledge that Joe knew about it, no meetings where it was discussed in front of anyone else, no other people Joe discussed it with. I dont buy it. So no the football team shouldnt be punished for the missdeeds of the administration. Joe didnt know he was dealing with a monster nor would any of us ... thats what the reseach suggests. He fumbled ,,,that I believe. He conspired ...just doesnt add up ... too complicated too risky and most all not Joe.
Frustrated - 12 years ago
If someone could please explain to me how shutting down the football program punishes those that committed the crimes, than please do so. Please feel free to explain to me what specifically gets accomplished by terminating the program. Please don't use phrases like, "its the right thing to do" or "its what's best for all", becasue those are not reasons.
Shutting down the football program is all about exacting a pound of flesh, and getting the revenge that so many prople in society today think they need to heal. Penn State is made up of much more than just Joe Paterno, or the other three involved, Penn State is about 50,000 students obtaining a world class education, and many thousands of employees working at the University. If you want your revenge so badly, seek it from those who committed the crimes and those who sought to cover those crimes up.
Common Sence - 12 years ago
It was a cancer what happened at Penn State so remove the cancer. Should all those diagnosed with cancer be killed?
Sam - 12 years ago
Lets remember it was only 4 people from the University that covered this up. Why punish the whole university and student body. It would be like you working for a company and four people within the company doing something illegal and people calling for the whole company to be shut down and you be fired. Also the NCAA is suppose to regulate what goes on at college sporting events so why not shut them down as well for their oversight. The Big Ten let PSU get away with this so shut them down as well. The State government let their University get away with this so shut down the State and strip all citizen of their voting rights. I am just making a point that a great deal of wrong took place but only a few were directly involved. Those are the people that should be punished. PSU is government entity which means they are regulated by the government therefore those calling for a shutdown should consider how far that shut should go. In my opinion the PSU case is a criminal matter and not some the NCAA should get involved in because if they do they will have to get involved in all legal matters concerning anyone tied to college athletic.
pnut16 - 12 years ago
The university is an educational institution, so u cant hol it solely responsible for what occured. The crime was a personal humanitarian criminal crime. Mr. Jerry was rightfully convicted for what he did. How can u hold the university and the football program liable for what one person did and others who kept quiet for. Undetsyandable Mr. Paterno know about the accusation and didnt inform the law departmeny but shutting down football will not erase what happened nor will it be right for the current players. Not only will u be convict Mr. Jerry but the student athletes as well by shutting down the program. Even thou Mr. Paterno is dead they can still charge him along with everyone else who knew, but the university. The school didnt do anything wrong just certain individuals, so the ncaa have no writes to punish the universit for a personal criminal crime. It can however punish those individuals for detrimental personal misconduct by an university official.
In This Tread - 12 years ago
Kill it with Fire!!!
Look at all the butthurt people posting here...
B Matthews - 12 years ago
Killing the football program harms everyone except the people involved in the scandal. If you want Penn State to feel the pain for the leadership failures, the hit them with civil lawsuits,
make them pay an NCAA driven penalty, pull their TV time and/or make them ineligible for bowls or championships. This would be justice without harming the innocent students, players, staff, stadium workers, and business owners who would all be harmed by simply killing the program. Don't make another mistake like SMU.
bob - 12 years ago
The persons involved with Sanduski all should be removed
You can not punish the student athletes that are at the school now.
Would you shut down the science department if it was a professor????
heather - 12 years ago
i dont think that the university or current players should be punished. this would effect the future of not only the college but players as well. But i do think that all the individuals that knew about it and covered it up in anyway should be punished by law for the negligence in reporting it to the police.
CHRISW - 12 years ago
leave the current penn state athletics alone ! punish the guilty , not the innocent ! this is getting totally out of hand ! california people should know the unfairness of this by what happened at usc . reggie bush & pete carroll did wrong and both took off to the pro's with multi million dollar contracts while the football team gets hit with sanctions and can't play in bowl games . where is the fairness in this ? the people left behind did nothing wrong ! different type of situation in penn state with the child abuse , but i think you get my point . take down all the joepa stuff if that makes you feel better , but the football team is trying to start a new . leave them alone !
k. Miller - 12 years ago
Why punish the current players/staff for the actions of other people 12+ years ago? All of the people involved in the coverup have either moved on or were fired. The ones that were responsible have been punished, it is time for the punishment phase to end and the healing phase for the victims to start. Hashing this out in the media every week does not do anything to help the victims to move forward.
If The Shoe Fits - 12 years ago
If there is a corrupt cop, and the police station not only knew about it but lied and covered it up, then yes close the police station. If there is a corrupt priest, and the church knew about it, did nothing, and covered it up then yes close that church. If there is not severe punishment for the most severe of crimes, what is the deterrent to make sure this never happens again? Because obviously common sense and what is right was not enough in this particular case. Let Penn State show that it values people over athletics. Sorry people, but it IS only a game.
Bill Kagle - 12 years ago
Too much collateral damage with a shut down - why punish the innocent? Fire all those involved. The players, fans, and small businesses did nothing wrong!
aic - 12 years ago
let the team play and have the profits go to children that are abused and disadvantaged. Those calling for a ban are more concerned about punishment rather than helping those children that have been affected by this scandle. These people are self serving, they would rather have a news headline than helping those that need it.
S. Blaha - 12 years ago
So- when we have a corrupt cop- let's close the Police Stations, a corrupt Priest- close the Church, corrupt Politician- close down the Government....come on people. Punish those that deserve to be punished & let the rest of the school and students move on...never to forget but to start healing and move forward. Not to remain stagnant for a year or two and affect kids who have no involvement in this tragedy!
The NCAA is today a wild west linch mob. What the hell has happened to our legal system in our country when a private organization as NCAA can demand any amount of financial restitution from Penn State University, a PUBLIC Financed state educational facility and demand millions of dollars in restitution for alleded crimes from this State University. If PSU's Board had any decency they would have all resigned when they fired Coach Paterno. The same or next day would have proved that they cared about the victims of Sandusky.
They say the power of Penn State and Paterno was too great and had to be reduced. I say
that the NCAA power is too great and demanding of all college football. Paterno will always be the most winning foolball coach inspite of those present coaches who will most benefit in
trying to replace Paterno the easy way by decree of the NCAA. What a farce!
I truly hope that a Federal Congressional investigation be held in Washington to force all those involved in criminal actions to testify publicly all that transpired with Penn State Football. Otherwise this NCAA action will fuel may more potential illegal and unsustified
actions far beyond their authority.
Those who sit in judgement over others should walk a mile in their shoes. It is so easy to say SANCTION OR END PENN STATE Football. People who say that have little or know common felling for humanity. The victims of these terrible crimes should go in the grace of our lord,but taking the football program away from all the innocent people of "Happy Valley" would be a crime in it's own right. At this writing the NCAA HAS ACTED WITH HYPOCRACY,MALICE ,AND A DISTURBING LACK OF HUMAN FEELING. The sanctions they wrongly have levied on Penn State FOOTBALL are unfair and the finest example of FRONTIER JUSTICE I have ever seen in my lifetime. I am a 60yr.old long time High School Teacher ,Coach,and Sports official. The value of participation in sports is far reaching ,to cripple innocent members of any progam in a school for crimes commited by others is against the Democratc Justice Sytem that America has so carefully built. There is no guilt left on the football field at Penn State. In this country the innocent should be left to freely pursue their lives without restriction.
Does anybody else find it interesting that the peoria that paid 6.5 million for the investigation are the people that got to move up the ladder in penn state to replace the people they got fired by having the investigation. I think there was another shooter in the gravelly ditch. Maybe now we have a scandal big enought to put the JFK thing to rest. This thing is going to stink for years. Why doesn't Tom corbet lose his position in the state. He knew of this while it was happening now he is the governor of pa. Why do current players need to feel remorse for what happened. Maybe we should get shut down as a country for what our ancestors did with slaves. We are all guilty for not being remorseful enough for things we didn't do. Why shouldn't Alabama players need to be remorseful about what happened in penn state. They had just as much to do with it as penn state players did.
It's the students and the alumni that have elevated football to the level of being a religion, and in doing so have turned coaches like Joe Paterno, into God like figures. The old saying of "Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely" couldn't be more true with regards to the students and the alumni turning the Penn State Universities football program into a religion with Joe Paterno, as the deity. Continuing the program without severely squashing this concept will not drive the students and alumni to realize what has transpired within the program. The football program consciously disregarded morality in order to protect itself. I have never seen one student or alumn express concern for the victims. There only expressed concern is for their precious football program!! Look around the country and you will quickly realize that athletic programs have hijacked the American educational system and have turned it into a mockery!
Shutting down the football program will not prove anything. Every single person who has been convicted is either fired, in jail fior life, or passed away. There are the lively hood of students we have to think of. Penn State University is known for its football, and the students are proud of their football team, and even still they are proud of the former coach. Taking away the football program will break their sprit as a whole ars well as individually. Let the people who did the crime pay, not the students they are not to blame.
I find it incredulous that in light of the moral bankruptcy that has been evident over the last several years that the students and alumni have remained defiant, and have exhibited absolutely no remorse. The penalties handed down by the NCAA and the Big 10 are pathetically minor by comparison with gravity of the crimes committed. Penn State University and the elected officials of the State of Pennsylvania have failed to take the moral high ground and shut down the football program for a meaningful period of time as a means of demonstrating contrition. This not a paltry year but something like three to five-years. The students and the alumni are not capable of bringing themselves to make a heart felt apology, but the governor and the legislature should apologize to the nation for having so grievously embarrassed the United States! However I am not going to hold my breath waiting for this to happen! Penn State University will suffer the indignation of the nation for many years and will no longer be taken seriously as an "Institution". Shame on the students and alumni!!
I believe that Penn State should shut the football program down for 2 years. It is horrible that the program knew about what was going on and did nothing about it. Who knows how many innocent children were involved and never came forward. I am a huge football fan and have in the past respected Coach Paterno. ( I live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, home of the Crimson Tide) now I have no respect for him or the others involved. His statue should come down. No matter what NCAA sanctions are placed on the program State should shut it down. These players can find somewhere else to play with a scholarship. So sorry for "Happy Valley"
Let us have some perspective....... to cut scholarships.... little importance..... the school has benefited over these past 10+ years ( that coach had knowledge) with many millions of $.... let them kill the program for 2 years and continue to pay the service people, etc.
The school and the Trustees have to show some humility at this time.
The Paterno family in fighting the accusations are only making the matters worse.
They should shut up, and Mrs. Paterno should be glad that she was not charged.
I know what was done was wrong to a degree no one could tolerate. But the punishment of shutting down the football program will punish more people who had nothing to do with the crime. I do understand what has to be done to send a message. If the football program is shutdown my company and many others will go bankrupt. Putting at least 1000 people out of a job. Before we go after football we should get to the bottom of Gov. Corbetts involvement in the cover-up. And we are still missing a DA from here who was going after Sandusky 8 years ago.
Enough already about how doing the right thing-- shutting down Penn State Football-- would harm the the innocent 'student athletes'. Give them all an extra year of eligibility and send them on their way to other schools, who will be happy to have them. And anyway, isn't Division 1A football simply the minor leagues for the NFL?
And also get off the thought that Paterno did so much for his players. He simply took already talented, motivated ball players and did the same thing any other coach would try and do: Make them into a winning team. And ancient Joe didn't do so great a job of that, in recent years.
And would Jay Paterno please shut the hell up? His father's monstrous actions cannot possibly be explained away.
I've been a big fan of Paterno, Penn State Football & College Football, but also horrified by what happened here. This is the biggest College Football scandal, by a landslide. I sympathize with those of you that say don't punish the innocent players, students and local businesses. But this criminal activity, at such a high level, needs atonement. Joe Paterno is dead, his statue is down, Sandusky in jail for the rest of his life, and many who did the cover up gone. Anyone else in the program that covered it up need to also go, and/or be prosecuted. The students will still get a great education. The University should financially take care of the current players who they have screwed. The University should shut the football program down for 3 years, as difficult as that is. And dedicate it's future program and University's purpose to innocent youths. If it does this right, the football program in the future can become a model program, as I used to think it was.
Why would you punish the players for something they didn't do or could even control?! As a fellow D1 athlete, I believe that the coaching staff should be cleared out, but don't take the game away from these athletes. These kids have worked their whole lives for this opportunity to play for the school and the sport they love. Some bad decisions were made on the faculty's part, but I'm almost positive that if a player would have known about it, they would have said something to make sure their future and the future of the football program would stay in tact. For the whole school atmosphere, the memories from football season, whether you are a player or a spectator is something you can't replicate, so taking football away from the school will be a death penalty to every student at Penn State. The students need a football team now more than ever to rally around and build their school back up from the ground.
Burn it to the ground!, wayyy to many delusional idiots still worshipping at the alter of that fraud Joe Paterno. The whole culture needs to change at Penn St., too many on here worried about losing their precious football program. I say they deserve to have the football program shut down for at least 5 years. And to all you blind idiots who are more worried about their beloved football program, i ask, how would you feel if YOUR child was one of the victims of these horrific crimes?, bet you'd feel a little different then. Oh and BTW, take the damn statue down!, it shows that the people in charge don't give a shit, and neither do those still taking up for that pedophile enabler Joe Paterno!, or better yet build another statue of Sandusky butt f*****g a small child and turn joe's statue around where his back is facing it! Idiots, the whole damn lot of you, I hope Pedo U never plays football again, and if they do i'll certainly be rooting against them be it football, jacks, or tiddly winks. Shut it down!, it's been irrelevant for the last 20 years anyway, nobody in college football will even miss it!
All this discussion about giving Penn State the death sentence. While what happened at Penn State is a travesty and those that overlooked this for so long should be punished severely, I have to question those that are jumping on the band wagon seeking that program's demise. I believe those that are speaking out really despise the whole NCAA Football system. Please remember that NCAA Football is a BIG business that churns hundreds or millions of dollars into the economy. It also provides educational opportunities for those that would never have the opportunity to get a college education (not just athletes and football players). Is it right and just to penalize an entire institution when so few did so much wrong? Remember if the football program is killed, it will not only impact the university, its students, and its employees, it will negatively impact State College and Central Pa for years to come; killing small businesses, creating unemployment, eliminating opportunities for young people, removing employment opportunities for students, killing non-revenue generating sports at Penn State,....Shall we keep going? Lets get off the political band wagon, punish the perpetrators to the greatest extent of the law, enforce the laws that are currently on the books, and provide lifelong support to those young men that were so wronged by a few corupt men. Lets look at the bigger picture and do what is right, not just the emotional feel good response that so many are advocating. Lets not punish the football team, students, and people of Central Pa when they are as horrified about this situation as anyone else it.
As a Penn State alumnus, PA resident and admitted sports fan, I am continually amazed at the delusion and paranoia of a far-too-great segment of Nittant Lion fans. It's easy to blame Sandusky, Spanier, Schultz, Curley, and ESPN (but never Saint Joe). It's a lot tougher to look in the mirror and acknowledge the obvious...IT'S THE CULTURE, STUPID! Yes, suspending football for 1 or 2 yrs will be costly and painful...it needs to be. Nothing less will even dent the mania that envelops "Happy Valley." The games will be missed; the football program will be diminished; but the UNIVERSITY will be strengthened.
I am a student here at penn state. All I can say is if you don't go here, you don't understand. Why would you want to punish the football players and students who put their hearts into those games, they didn't do anything wrong. Clear the staff. They are the ones at fault. But continue to play the game. For the students, and for the players who have dreams of making something out of it.
This is alot worse than receiving money under the table that put SMU on the Death Penalty. When do we stop pappering these athletes and coachs and give them what they deserve. This was a crime that rates second to none on the list of crimes committed in atheletics. How many young people were abused after Penn State was made aware of this problems, that might have been stopped. Death Penalty!!!!!
If Penn State is truly the great institution I believe it is, it will shut down the football program for five years, implement mandatory child abuse education for all staff and employees, and develop and implement community programs for the prevention of child abuse. The education will include how men who call themselves "Catholics" and "Christians" can criminally sexually abuse children and/or turn a blind eye to such abuse in direct opposition to their moral, ethical, civil, and legal duties.
The emotional ,physical ,psycological. damages the victims were inflicted is a life sentence and pales in comparison to whatever punishment PENN STATE will receive. Freddy of. W/C
I am appalled that a third of our nation puts college football over the welfare of children. Really… 32% say play on Penn State? This is what has happened to our education system in America. We are so worried about football while our entire country is being taken over by foreigners who have educated themselves better than us and therefore more qualified to do professional work. Wake up America!!!
this whole thing makes me sick. i went to Penn State for med school and i know how important the football program is to the school . i agree with the others that say it should not be shut down but shoud be restructured and designed to help abused childer. Put in new leadership and allow the program to continue with constant attention towards the prevention of this kind of abuse in the future: every game played a portion of any profit made goes towards programs to help abused children, on every uniform and helmet put a blue ribbon and every game starts with a moment of silence from the players . Penn State is a good school and there are good people that are part of that school.Let them show the world that the bad guys are gone and Penn States pride is not in victory on the football field but in it's strength to change what was wrong in the past and be an example worth following for the future.
If Penn State wants to be taken seriously as an academic institution it must shutdown its football team and allow the rest of the university's activities to emerge from the smothering,
corrupt effect of the football program. If Penn State ultimately revises football it should be dedicated to making certain that the football program is only one of many extra-curricular activities at a university where academics are recognized and supported as the primary activity of the institution. If the football program falters, so be it.
Houseboat Dweller
Let Joe rest in peace he is not here to defend himself and dont punish the boys who want to play football punish the higher ups that deserve it.
You have to shut it down.Players are going to exit anyways and the level of recruits that you need to compete at a high d1 big ten program will not be answering the door. What is going to happen here is a natural death penalty. If they play it will be blow out after blow out. Remember Tom Obien only recieved a contract of 950 a year very very low especially for that high level. Penn State anticipated a shut down when canned that fraud. Plus the players should walk the coaching staff that knew what sandusky was doing for thirty years or more were still on the staff until this year. One more comment this is the sickest crime the devil put jerry sandusky amongst you. FUCK YOU.
Penn State is not a pro sport organization. It's purpose is to educate the youth of the state. The athletic program is an adjunct to the educational mission not a necessity for it (even with its revenue stream). The management personnell of the football sector had visited an irreversibly damaging moral wound upon the the university and its leadership. It seem to me, the solution is to cut out the the football program as it exists, level its ground and cover it with salt (biblically speaking). Then, and only then can the university think about building a new football structure, on new ground which does not have any component dragged over from the regrettable past.
You have to shut it down.Players are going to exit anyways and the level of recruits that you need to compete at a high d1 big ten program will not be answering the door. What is going to happen here is a natural death penalty. If they play it will be blow out after blow out. Remember Tom Obien only recieved a contract of 950 a year very very low especially for that high level. Penn State anticipated a shut down when canned that fraud. Plus the players should walk the coaching staff that knew what sandusky was doing for thirty years or more were still on the staff until this year. One more comment this is the sickest crime the devil put jerry sandusky amongst you. FUCK YOU.
It is insane to punish the football players, fans, alumnae, faculty and State College business owners who had nothing to do with the unethical University leadership. The only ones who should suffer severe consequences are the perpetrators.
It is insane to punish the football players, fans, alumnae, faculty and State College business owners who had nothing to do with the unethical University leadership. The only ones who should suffer severe consequences are the perpetrators.
Punish the administration, not the students and current foot ball players.
The people responsible for hurting the kids are no longer in charge or are now in jail. They will never hurt anyone again. So why are all these "do-gooders" out after the rest of the kids at that school? Why does the NCAA want to punish all the others who are innocent because of the former acts of those who are now gone. That would be like convicting witnesses of a crime because they saw it happen and "failed" to prevent it. That's EXACTLY what is now going on by all the "Law And Order" types who are AFRAID FOR THEMSELVES of looking "SOFT ON CRIME" and are now on a WITCH HUNT to show how tough they are! (Even though the NCAA negligently allowed it to happen UNDER THEIR WATCH.) No one now will be satisfied now until they MAKE IT WORSE by going along with the mob mentality that is OUT FOR BLOOD.
Hypocrites all.
When you see a fire you call the fire department, when you see a bank robbery you call the police......when you see a child being raped in a shower at Penn State, you first ponder how saving that child and others might adversely impact your cash cow football program....that is what Paterno did.....pay the players for god sake......call it what it is.....one more thing.......i am unaware of any "Paternoville" camps in the SEC....shutting the program down will get you your seven precious saturday afternoons back sooner than if you do nothing.....GREAT MEN PROTECT CHILDREN........GREAT MEN PROTECT CHILDREN.
I agree with @anonymous...the penalty will happen anyway. If Penn State is smart, they will preempt the NCAA and take a positive step forward. Anyone who thinks this event does not warrant the death penalty is simply delusional.
Amazing how when the U was being raked over the coals for the whole Shapiro thing, EVERYONE was calling for the death penalty for Miami. I'm not condoning what Miami's players did, it was wrong and we should pay the price, but not with a death penalty. Now, PSU's violations are crimes against children perpetrated by an adult team leader. Oh yeah, and other team leaders knew about it and did NOTHING. The guy raped boys not just once or twice, but dozens of times. I say DEATH to PSU's football program. Ban it for as long as needed, but there should not be some artificial timeline put on it to appease people. The wounds of the victims won't heal in 1-2 years. I say ban it for at least a decade and then revisit it. It is a game and we need to value our fellow man more than this stupid institution known as football. Hang 'em high!
Just so all you low life, PSU haters are aware...alumni and students at PSU have already raised millions of dollars with ALL proceeds going to child abuse victims in PA. Get an f ing life and try putting your energy into something useful...I can't even fathom the ridiculousness of shutting down the football program...HOW STUPID CAN YOU BE? Give me one good reason as to how that possibly does any good to the victims. Morons!!!
This is an institutionalized failure and not merely a couple of bad actors covering something up. I am appalled that some of these posts suggest merely punishing the guilty. It is clear that the University needs a little help in putting its football program in perspective and nothing short of the death penalty can start to achieve that.
By comparison, look at Tressel at OSU. He lost his job, players were banned, season(s?) vacated, ongoing bowl bans and restrictions on scholarships. For what? Cash starved players trading memorabilia for cash and tats and Tressel's obvious failure to report this violation of NCAA rules. PSU covered up known sexual abuse of minors!!! And still allowed access to the showers afterwards!!! Death penalty!!!
Penn State should never be allowed to participate in any football program anywhere ever again. It's the idol worship of athletes, and, more importantly, the money they generate, that led to their honestly believing they were above the law and that the sacrifice of young people was well worth their own survival. Permanently eliminating PSU's football program will send a clear message to every other school that in the end you WILL be found out, and that continuing to tacitly approve of child molestation by doing nothing will result in damage far worse than any that could be done by addressing the issue.
Penn State should never be allowed to participate in any football program anywhere ever again. It's the idol worship of athletes, and, more importantly, the money they generate, that led to their honestly believing they were above the law and that the sacrifice of young people was well worth their own survival. Permanently eliminating PSU's football program will send a clear message to every other school that in the end you WILL be found out, and that continuing to tacitly approve of child molestation by doing nothing will result in damage far worse than any that could be done by addressing the issue.
Not only should Penn State shut down it's Football program, but, the NCAA should
be shut down as well. Sports at the college level have become an obscenity. Colleges and
Universities should concentrate on education, not "semi-professional" sports. Winston
Churchill's quote comes to mind: "No sports."
Money is not the root of all evil, but the LOVE of money is. The NCAA goes farther, cultivating, encouraging the lust for money.
Sadly, this is an "efficient" decision for Penn State. They are going to be punished; they might as well get some good PR out of it and end the %#*@storm of bad press they are getting every second these days. And this is coming from someone who thinks the victims are not getting enough attention in the circus show that is the Penn State story. By psu coming out and saying they've decided not to play ball next year, it also shows they care and is the first step in building a university that puts human beings first.
Penn State deserves more than the loss of sports. The investigations are showing a massive cover-up by school administrators, coaches, athletes, politicians, law enforcement, and perhaps the NCAA itself. How can the NCAA not have heard about this? If we're going to clean house, then let's get it done right, and it starts with the NCAA. Penn State should be given the death sentence, but so too should University of Miami. How can USC be so wrongfully disciplined, when there was NO proof, and yet Jo Pa and the predators involved covered up such a crime?
What it comes down to is EVERYONE knew better. You may be speaking of football but this is an institution of higher learning...a university. EVERYONE KNEW BETTER. There doesn't seem to be much difference between Penn State and the Catholic Church! This is CHILD ABUSE we're talking about. Close down the damn program. WTFU!
Its called Platoon discipline.. It seems like football fans should get that. It punishes the system that allowed the abuse. The people responsible are being punished, some are being criminally prosecuted. The fans and students they are being punished too but if you remember they rioted at Penn state when Paterno was fired.. They rioted because the university fired a coach for protecting a CHILD MOLESTER. Its time they all took a step back and remembered whats important. Kill the program. Clearly the university staff and students need to grow up before they take on the responsibly of a football program again.
Jerry Sandusky actions have already negatively effected the lives of his victims , current Penn State athletes, students, alumni and residents of State College. By shutting down the Penn State football program Jerry Sandusky and those who covered up the scandal will continue to negatively affects the lives of young adults - the current student athletes and students at Penn State. What happened at Penn State is not the fault of these athletes or students nor the businesses or residents of Happy Valley. However, they will pay a steep price if the football program is suspended. Make those who covered up the scandal accountable. Furthermore, require Penn State to contribute a portion of all proceeds this season to a fund set up for abuse victims in the State of PA. This way something positive comes out of this horrible situation and maybe healing can begin.
While their actions were ultimatley wrong I am am not self righteuos enough to believe that I would have done anything differently. I doubt that Joe activley conspired to conceal anything to protect the footbal program. It was the honest and integrity that he and we all valued most. I believe its far more likely that he used poor judgement and probably thought he was helping Sandusky get help for some kind of bizarre but consensual gay relationship that someone had stumbled upon. I dont think he knew abouty the 98 investigation because 1. he said he didnt 2. the only evidence is a reference form Curley or Schultz that they were in contact with him re the investigation and 3. as far as I can tell no one other than Curley or Schultz had any knowledge that Joe knew about it, no meetings where it was discussed in front of anyone else, no other people Joe discussed it with. I dont buy it. So no the football team shouldnt be punished for the missdeeds of the administration. Joe didnt know he was dealing with a monster nor would any of us ... thats what the reseach suggests. He fumbled ,,,that I believe. He conspired ...just doesnt add up ... too complicated too risky and most all not Joe.
If someone could please explain to me how shutting down the football program punishes those that committed the crimes, than please do so. Please feel free to explain to me what specifically gets accomplished by terminating the program. Please don't use phrases like, "its the right thing to do" or "its what's best for all", becasue those are not reasons.
Shutting down the football program is all about exacting a pound of flesh, and getting the revenge that so many prople in society today think they need to heal. Penn State is made up of much more than just Joe Paterno, or the other three involved, Penn State is about 50,000 students obtaining a world class education, and many thousands of employees working at the University. If you want your revenge so badly, seek it from those who committed the crimes and those who sought to cover those crimes up.
It was a cancer what happened at Penn State so remove the cancer. Should all those diagnosed with cancer be killed?
Lets remember it was only 4 people from the University that covered this up. Why punish the whole university and student body. It would be like you working for a company and four people within the company doing something illegal and people calling for the whole company to be shut down and you be fired. Also the NCAA is suppose to regulate what goes on at college sporting events so why not shut them down as well for their oversight. The Big Ten let PSU get away with this so shut them down as well. The State government let their University get away with this so shut down the State and strip all citizen of their voting rights. I am just making a point that a great deal of wrong took place but only a few were directly involved. Those are the people that should be punished. PSU is government entity which means they are regulated by the government therefore those calling for a shutdown should consider how far that shut should go. In my opinion the PSU case is a criminal matter and not some the NCAA should get involved in because if they do they will have to get involved in all legal matters concerning anyone tied to college athletic.
The university is an educational institution, so u cant hol it solely responsible for what occured. The crime was a personal humanitarian criminal crime. Mr. Jerry was rightfully convicted for what he did. How can u hold the university and the football program liable for what one person did and others who kept quiet for. Undetsyandable Mr. Paterno know about the accusation and didnt inform the law departmeny but shutting down football will not erase what happened nor will it be right for the current players. Not only will u be convict Mr. Jerry but the student athletes as well by shutting down the program. Even thou Mr. Paterno is dead they can still charge him along with everyone else who knew, but the university. The school didnt do anything wrong just certain individuals, so the ncaa have no writes to punish the universit for a personal criminal crime. It can however punish those individuals for detrimental personal misconduct by an university official.
Kill it with Fire!!!
Look at all the butthurt people posting here...
Killing the football program harms everyone except the people involved in the scandal. If you want Penn State to feel the pain for the leadership failures, the hit them with civil lawsuits,
make them pay an NCAA driven penalty, pull their TV time and/or make them ineligible for bowls or championships. This would be justice without harming the innocent students, players, staff, stadium workers, and business owners who would all be harmed by simply killing the program. Don't make another mistake like SMU.
The persons involved with Sanduski all should be removed
You can not punish the student athletes that are at the school now.
Would you shut down the science department if it was a professor????
i dont think that the university or current players should be punished. this would effect the future of not only the college but players as well. But i do think that all the individuals that knew about it and covered it up in anyway should be punished by law for the negligence in reporting it to the police.
leave the current penn state athletics alone ! punish the guilty , not the innocent ! this is getting totally out of hand ! california people should know the unfairness of this by what happened at usc . reggie bush & pete carroll did wrong and both took off to the pro's with multi million dollar contracts while the football team gets hit with sanctions and can't play in bowl games . where is the fairness in this ? the people left behind did nothing wrong ! different type of situation in penn state with the child abuse , but i think you get my point . take down all the joepa stuff if that makes you feel better , but the football team is trying to start a new . leave them alone !
Why punish the current players/staff for the actions of other people 12+ years ago? All of the people involved in the coverup have either moved on or were fired. The ones that were responsible have been punished, it is time for the punishment phase to end and the healing phase for the victims to start. Hashing this out in the media every week does not do anything to help the victims to move forward.
If there is a corrupt cop, and the police station not only knew about it but lied and covered it up, then yes close the police station. If there is a corrupt priest, and the church knew about it, did nothing, and covered it up then yes close that church. If there is not severe punishment for the most severe of crimes, what is the deterrent to make sure this never happens again? Because obviously common sense and what is right was not enough in this particular case. Let Penn State show that it values people over athletics. Sorry people, but it IS only a game.
Too much collateral damage with a shut down - why punish the innocent? Fire all those involved. The players, fans, and small businesses did nothing wrong!
let the team play and have the profits go to children that are abused and disadvantaged. Those calling for a ban are more concerned about punishment rather than helping those children that have been affected by this scandle. These people are self serving, they would rather have a news headline than helping those that need it.
So- when we have a corrupt cop- let's close the Police Stations, a corrupt Priest- close the Church, corrupt Politician- close down the Government....come on people. Punish those that deserve to be punished & let the rest of the school and students move on...never to forget but to start healing and move forward. Not to remain stagnant for a year or two and affect kids who have no involvement in this tragedy!