Monday, July 23, 2012

SportsUSA: College Football sex scandal: Penn State U punished

In what many feel is a severe unfairness to all the innocent players and staff in PSU sports machinery for "winningest" college football team, the university has been whacked good ($60 mill), maybe never to recover from other penalties by NCAA.

— Sportikos, refWrite Backpage sports columnist

Pennsylvania State University

fined $60 million

by National Collegiate Athletic Association

for multiple sex abuses

under Head Coach

Huffington Post (July23,2l12)

One day after the statue of Joe Paterno was removed from outside of Beaver Stadium on the Penn State campus, NCAA President Mark Emmert announced sanctions resulting from the football program's role in the sexual abuse scandal involving former defensive coach Jerry Sandusky. On Sunday, the NCAA announced its intention to implement "corrective and punitive measures" against Penn State.

On Monday, Emmert presided over a press conference in Indianapolis and revealed sanctions, including a hefty fine, a postseason ban, and loss of scholarships and previous wins.

"Football will never again be placed ahead of educating, nurturing and protecting young people," Emmert said during a press conference that lasted approximately 45 minutes.

Penn State Punishments:

$60 million fine, representing approximately one year of football revenues. These funds will go to child sex abuse awareness programs.

4-year bowl game ban.

Scholarship reduction, cap lasting four years.

Any entering, returning football student athlete can transfer immediately. Presuming academic requirements are met, these potential transfers can play immediately.

PSU vacates all wins from 1998-2011. The loss of 111 career wins drops Joe Paterno from atop the all-time wins list to 12th.

PSU begins a five-year probationary period, with the NCAA reserving the right to implement further punishments.

"For the next several years PSU can focus on rebuilding its athletic culture, not worrying about whether it's going to a bowl game," Emmert said as he explained the rationale for this set of sanctions.

Shortly after Emmert concluded his remarks, Penn State Dr. Rodney Erickson issued a statement, addressing the NCAA punishment.