Sexual Abuse Scandal Rocks Penn State

Sandusky’s Actions Have Destroyed an Entire Community

The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) football program used to be a clean-cut oasis in the money scramble that now is college sports. But with the sexual abuse allegations against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, PSU may just be the worst of all.

While other schools were under investigation for recruiting scandals, where players were bought expensive cars and paid for no-show jobs, PSU reputation was untarnished. While other schools had to publicly fire hotheaded coaches, PSU retained traditional head coach Joe Paterno for 46 years.

The Paterno era was like no other in college sports. “Joe Pa” as PSU fans affectionately know him, is the most winning college football coach in history. His program was dedicated to excellence on and off the field. His philosophy was to prepare young men for life beyond football. He was effectively a surrogate grandfather for most Pennsylvanians. Now abuses by members of his program will forever tarnish Joe Pa’s legacy.

Paterno was forced to step down from his coaching position amidst the sexual abuse scandal involving former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Sandusky has been charged with 40 counts of sexual assault. He used his position at a children’s charity, Second Mile, to prey on vulnerable boys. His actions are inexcusable and demand punishment.

But with Paterno it is not so easy. It is impossible to know, as of yet, what Paterno knew and when he knew it. As the criminal investigation of Sandusky unfolds, these truths will be revealed.

There are media reports, for instance, that a graduate assistant witnessed one of the assaults on campus. That grad assistant, Mike McQueary, would go on to become a Penn State coach himself. Reportedly, Paterno told his superiors about the assault and nothing was done about it. There are many shaky details of that sort floating around and it is impossible to know what happened until the truth is brought out in the court of law.

Judgment of Paterno should be reserved for the final verdict in the Sandusky case. Only with all the details can an assessment of Joe Pa’s failure be made.