Penn State (possible death penalty)

[Derek]

I'm sorry. I don't think this is enough. SMU got the death penalty for paying players.

There were school officials that knew what was going on, along with Paterno. I just think there is no way out of this but to shut the football program down for a year or two.

Let the players go elsewhere if they want, but the consequences must be paid, both in and out of the courtroom.

And as armchairqb said.... Innocent people are going to suffer, and that is the reality of our society. Nevertheless, federal and School justice need to be done.

If your football program is more important than academics or the lives of some kids, then you need to shut down on your own accord, and if you don't when something like this happens. You'll get shut down.

Shut them down.

This is the problem...as I see it. Sanctions and penalties do not work, they don't make things better. If the school can not self correct all of this, then nothing is going to change. Want a real penalty....Have schools refuse to play Penn State until something changes...and be willing to take the loss on principal......and you say?

This would be a brilliant solution...if enough schools did it, it would have the effect of a death penalty and IMO probably speak a LOT louder in terms of message than just shutting them down.....either way (and I like your idea better) the lesson would be learned. But that won't happen cause money is at stake.

And if I read you right, that's kinda the problem here in the first place.

[Derek]

I don't know how the NCAA could have tried to change the culture without doing this. I have no problem with the vacating victories. If Joe knew, and I don't see how he couldn't have, then he sealed his legacy - not the NCAA. This is the worst example of a college football program run amuck. How anyone could turn a blind eye to a guy like Sandusky is beyond me.

Bingo. They HAD to do something to the school IMO. ALONG with Sandusky being sent down the river, and the University President along with him....according to my knowledge of the situation, he knew as much as Paterno. If I'm wrong, please correct me....but someone up high knew, maybe not the President.

[Spence]

Several people in positions of power knew. I don't feel bad for them. I do feel bad for the people who will be directly affected by this that didn't know anything. Lots more people didn't know than did. I hope the victims don't feel backlash from fans who may some how blame them for the schools problem. There are plenty of nut jobs out there that would.

[Spence]

Here is an article that sums up the way I think. No one with any knowledge of Sandusky's crimes should remain at Penn State. They should never hold a job involving working with young men or children ever again. Actually, if I had my way they would hang from a light pole in the town square by the offending organ. I just think that the people that are getting punished the most - those involved with the program that didn't know anything - are the ones that are getting punished the most.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/stewart_mandel/07/23/penn-state-ncaa-sanctions/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_sports

[donovan]

This now has to do with the NCAA not Penn State. This may be the demise of the NCAA. Honest college presidents, in time, may decide to take back responsibility and power. Lot of people to blame, the the pedophile is Sandusky. Fire all the rest, punish them according to the law and the Governor can evaluate the governing board, but punish the criminals, according to the laws of the land. These penalties will not hold up in a court of law....they may have to wait a year for public relations sake...but you heard it earlier, right here.

[Spence]

This now has to do with the NCAA not Penn State. This may be the demise of the NCAA. Honest college presidents, in time, may decide to take back responsibility and power. Lot of people to blame, the the pedophile is Sandusky. Fire all the rest, punish them according to the law and the Governor can evaluate the governing board, but punish the criminals, according to the laws of the land. These penalties will not hold up in a court of law....they may have to wait a year for public relations sake...but you heard it earlier, right here.

I agree. Actually none of the NCAA penalties on anyone would hold up in a court of law. The schools have an agreement to follow them, but they could choose not to do it and their is nothing the NCAA could do about it. The NCAA is trying to show the world they have teeth. Penn State just wants to get out of the news. As far as I know four or five people are complicit in the cover up of Sandusky's crimes. One is dead, the rest will have a hard time finding similar work ever again. They have to answer for their crimes to the justice system.

As far as the demise of the NCAA, I think it may change it. I'm not sure they will go away. In most cases, the NCAA is a shield for the presidents. If the president of Ohio State doesn't have the NCAA to hide behind, he is in the soup line with Tressel. I think the schools need a compliance authority, but I think they need to revamp their rules system. I think they also should have an authority with subpoena rights. I also think they should be on the campus of every school and the schools should pay for their operation. Until it is a crime to lie to these people they will remain a joke. When a coach or AD has to face jail time for lying the joke is over.

[Vileborg]

Does that mean Paterno has to vacate his wins as well? As in Bobby Bowden is the new career victories leader?

The point of hitting the school is that the school has an obligation to protect students and fans(even young ones). It is also the mantra of college athletics and academia to self report and be honest about all endeavors. I'm not opposed to the NCAA making a statement out of Penn St. who allowed incidents to occur at NCAA sanctioned events.

[Spence]

Does that mean Paterno has to vacate his wins as well? As in Bobby Bowden is the new career victories leader?

The point of hitting the school is that the school has an obligation to protect students and fans(even young ones). It is also the mantra of college athletics and academia to self report and be honest about all endeavors. I'm not opposed to the NCAA making a statement out of Penn St. who allowed incidents to occur at NCAA sanctioned events.

They made him vacate all wins for 14 years. He is something like 12th on the all time list now. I don't feel sorry for Paterno. He appears to be a major player in this.