Joe Paterno's legacy...

[Steve Dallas]

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/12/us/pen...html?hpt=hp_c1

This man basically allowed someone to rape children, and not only did nothing to prevent it...but basically tried to keep it covered up.

At this point, I could care less for what he did for PSU. He is fortunate he is dead, because if he was alive he'd be going to prison for what he did.

This was about Penn State football, this was about the mentality that football is more important than anything else at PSU...and frankly, anyone that thinks it's more important that JoePa have a good legacy than justice be served needs to rethink his/her priorities.

[Tribute]

This is such a sad subject, the whole thing. It's a complete shame what happened to all of those children. My heart goes out to all of the victims. I am glad that Sandusky will be going to jail, but it should have been years ago and less victims.

I feel bad for Penn State, as a Nittany Lion myself I am still proud of the school for their academics but ashamed at the way things were overlooked. Finally the parties responsible have been removed from the university and corrective action and further investigation still continues.

One thing I hope to not see is the school pride die out for all the students that worked hard to get into the school, work hard in their coursework, and for future students as well. It was not their fault and they should still be proud of their education and dedication.

[Tribute]

Penn State issues statement on Freeh report
Thursday, July 12, 2012

SCRANTON, Pa. -- Today’s comprehensive report is sad and sobering in that it concludes that at the moment of truth, people in positions of authority and responsibility did not put the welfare of children first. The Board of Trustees, as the group that has paramount accountability for overseeing and ensuring the proper functioning and governance of the University, accepts full responsibility for the failures that occurred. The Board, in cooperation with the Administration, will take every action to ensure that events like these never happen again in our university community.

The focus of all of our actions going forward will be on driving a culture of honesty, integrity, responsible leadership and accountability at all levels and within all units of our institution.

Judge Freeh's report concludes that certain people at the University who were in a position to protect children or confront the predator failed to do so. There can be no ambiguity about that. The defenseless victims and their families are at the forefront of our thoughts and prayers. We are deeply sorry for the failure to protect these vulnerable young boys from the pain and anguish they suffered. At the same time, we are filled with admiration for the bravery shown by the young men and their families who came forward to ensure that justice will be done.

While today’s issuance of the Freeh Report provides some level of clarity for our community, it does not undo the pain that the victims of Jerry Sandusky have experienced, and continue to experience. We will continue to offer counseling to Mr. Sandusky’s victims, listen to them and take affirmative steps to address the harm they have suffered.

Beyond our campuses, the University is undertaking a number of actions to help build greater awareness of the societal issue of child sexual abuse. We are partnering with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape {PCAR} and have also created the Center for the Protection of Children at the Hershey Medical Center. Penn State University intends to be a constructive leader in preventing, reporting and responding to such abuse. This is a problem that plagues our nation, and we have a special duty to increase awareness, prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse.

Judge Freeh’s investigation was intended to identify where failures occurred and what changes should be made for the future. As the Freeh report noted, the University has already taken steps to begin addressing some of the shortcomings.

The Board of Trustees acknowledges that it failed to create an environment of accountability and transparency and did not have optimal reporting procedures or committee structures. Beginning in March 2011 and continuing until the publication of the Grand Jury presentment in November 2011, the Board failed to make proper inquiry of President Spanier and others regarding the Sandusky matter. As a result, the Board was unprepared to deal with the events that occurred in November 2011.

The Board has begun taking a more active oversight role and has implemented specific oversight committees, focused on Risk, Audit, Legal, Compliance, Academic Excellence, Governance and Human Resources. Furthermore, the Board is committed to greater transparency and communications with the entire University community.

Additionally, the University Administration has strengthened policies and programs involving minors, child abuse and mandated reporter training; ensuring a process for prompt reporting of abuse and sexual misconduct; hiring a new, full-time Clery Compliance Coordinator and providing Clery Act training for employees; and establishing a position of, and commencing a national search for, a director of University Compliance. Further information can be found at http://www.progress.psu.edu.

In the weeks ahead, the University will carefully review and consider each of the report’s recommendations. Tomorrow at its regularly scheduled meeting, the Board of Trustees will consider a series of immediate next steps. President Rodney Erickson has appointed three members of his senior leadership team to coordinate and implement operational changes suggested by the Freeh Report.

As the Freeh Report notes Penn State “is an outstanding institution, nationally renowned for its excellence in academics and research.” Nothing in this report detracts from the many significant accomplishments of our faculty, staff, students and alumni. We also remain proud of the accomplishments of Penn State’s student athletes over many years, and we reaffirm the fundamental premise that academic excellence and athletic achievement are wholly consistent and complementary goals.

With the release of the Freeh Report we are beginning to correct our failures, promote healing and build a stronger tomorrow for Penn State. We are continuing the process of addressing the most painful chapter in the University’s history so that we can heal and move forward.

[Steve Dallas]

There was talk here in Seattle today about the possibility of the Death Penalty for 1 or 3 years because of this. (Death Penalty for NCAA meaning no football program at all for that period of time).

I'm not sure yet how I stand on that, because it effects the students. They can transfer to other programs though. I really don't know how else to really punish the university except to remove it's main monetary source for a period of time. The people involved -might- go to prison...but is that enough?

Questions to be answered another day. The true monster here was Sandusky, but the others definitely need to be held accountable for this. What's important here is that everyone remembers that this is really about the children, and how the Big Football mentality ignored them.

I think the one good thing (hopefully) to come out of this is it's a wake-up call to everyone to report this kind of thing. Ignoring or covering up this kind of thing is not quite as reprehensible as the act itself...but I don't think anyone should look kindly on anyone that allows this kind of thing to happen.

[Tribute]

Originally Posted by Steve Dallas

There was talk here in Seattle today about the possibility of the Death Penalty for 1 or 3 years because of this. (Death Penalty for NCAA meaning no football program at all for that period of time).

I'm not sure yet how I stand on that, because it effects the students. They can transfer to other programs though. I really don't know how else to really punish the university except to remove it's main monetary source for a period of time. The people involved -might- go to prison...but is that enough?

Questions to be answered another day. The true monster here was Sandusky, but the others definitely need to be held accountable for this. What's important here is that everyone remembers that this is really about the children, and how the Big Football mentality ignored them.

Your last paragraph, I absolutely agree with. I was pissed when this all came to light and everyone was protesting Paterno's firing. I was think, wtf what about the children. I know it sunk in shortly after for everyone but agreed. They have a great football team and program but came at a huge cost. Now maybe this could have happened at another university as well, maybe not. Either way, anyone negatively involved should be dealt with, but again current students, past students, and future students should not be penalized for criminals actions. It's a shame and will take time, but I am proud to be a nittany lion because of the academics and the student body and faculty. Many things are being done to move forward in the right direction.

But yes, anyone that turned away in the name of football should absolutely pay for that. Again, I'm sorry for all that suffered.

[BlackIce1066]

And not only did Sandusky destroy the reputation of PSU by what he did, the school will never recover from being linked to this scandle.

Joe P. should have done more for those innocent kids and he should have put those kids first instead of the football team and the school.

[Tribute]

Originally Posted by BlackIce1066

And not only did Sandusky destroy the reputation of PSU by what he did, the school will never recover from being linked to this scandle.

Joe P. should have done more for those innocent kids and he should have put those kids first instead of the football team and the school.

I think the school will recover over time. It will definately take some time, but it is a high of solid academics. If anything programs will change for the better. Now that doesn't mean people are going to be jumping up and down to join the blue and white, but they should and it's ok to be excited about it.

As shameful as this scandal is, this could have happened at any university. I think PSU staff, board, etc realize the only way to recover is time and to do anything possible for the victims and to increase their programs and awareness throughout the university.

It does make me angry that a disgusting human being such as Sandusky got away with this and at a place that I and hundreds of thousands of others have such deep pride in. The students need to stick together and not let down, lift their heads up high, act appropriately and do well to continue school.

[Steve Dallas]

Lukeko,

I do definately understand your feelings on this. This has got to be tough for all the students and alumni.

I think one thing to remember is...Penn State as an academic school can and will come out of this ok. There is a good chance you guys will get some pretty steep football sanctions from the NCAA because of this. Focus on the academic part of Penn State for now and keep that up to its high standards.

[Tribute]

Originally Posted by Steve Dallas

Lukeko,

I do definately understand your feelings on this. This has got to be tough for all the students and alumni.

I think one thing to remember is...Penn State as an academic school can and will come out of this ok. There is a good chance you guys will get some pretty steep football sanctions from the NCAA because of this. Focus on the academic part of Penn State for now and keep that up to its high standards.

Steve - Thanks for the note. I agree. All in time.

[TurboTA]

I learned a week or so ago that this topic will get locked. The members that supported JP never came into that thread to admit they were horribly wrong. Terrible for all of those children.

[PQ]

My feelings were made known in the other thread.

Agree with the OP in this thread.

The victims are many. Including the students who looked up to and trusted these guys.

Paterno spoke of Integrity and honor and he was shoved down the nations throats on Saturdays for years as such.

[CamaroSkooter]

The whole situation is jacked up.

PSU is going to be settling lawsuits because of this for years to come. And every time they come up it's just going to be a grim reminder of the dark days at PSU.

When you think about it, PSU basically has to forget everything that their football program has achieved for the last 61 years that are tainted by this and start completely over, like an amnesiac tries to pick up the pieces after some major trauma.

I hope this serves as a lesson for all programs across the board to take a good hard look at their inner workings and make sure everyone is upholding their end of the bargain to get rid of the BS the instant it pops up.

College football is full of too many shady people and this was just the tip of the iceberg. There's too much corruption, backroom deals, and hush-hush money under the table that finally just culminated in this horrible revelation. Hopefully now the NCAA will grow a pair and start handing out some serious penalties for all of the ridiculous scandals that keep popping up country-wide.

Want some examples? Reggie Bush, Cam Newton, SMU, Barry Switzer, Jim Tressel, all of the constant DUI and drug misdemeanors we hear about from several organizations, and now JoePa's kingdom.

It's just a shame.

[Dr Jkel]

Growing up in an era of Joe Pa, Bear Bryant, Bobby Bowden is is just so hard to realize that someone you held in high regards could do this.

I have read all 267 pages of this report and tried to find any single phrase, e-mail, interview or statement that could have been taken out of context, msiconstrued or twisted.

Sadly I can not and it appears that the leaders seriously dropped the ball and allowed countless children to be victimized and this saddens me deeply.

I live in a place where college football is pretty much a religion and the head coaches, I think, have more power than the President. I honestly hope that Nick Saban, Bear Bryant or whomever is or was teh coach at Alabama would not turn a blind eye to things like this.....but after JoePa ....nothing seems impossible.

Now we are learning that he tried to re-negotiate his contract after he testified for the Grand Jury.....just makes me sick. Not because a person who I thought was a good guy but because of all the children this has hurt.

[toesuf94]

I seriously hope that the anger and venom being spewed at Penn State and Paterno will go away now...and that the focus will turn to the man who perpetrated the acts as well as his family that turned their backs to these kids in their own home. I am surprised that the Sandusky house is still standing to be honest with you.

As a Penn State grad I still have a deep love of my time spent there. I feel sorry for the current players and coaches who are there well after the fact and that there will be no glory and probably a TON of crap hurled at them in each of their visits to schools all over the country. I feel horrible for the victims and hope that somehow they find solace in these penalties.

As for Joe - none of this fits the man I knew and admired.