Reactions Penn State child sex abuse scandal

1 reactions

1.1 media
1.2 second mile
1.3 penn state

1.3.1 ousting of spanier, curley, paterno, , schultz
1.3.2 freeh report
1.3.3 other actions
1.3.4 penn state students


1.4 ncaa

1.4.1 initial sanctions
1.4.2 sanctions rescinded
1.4.3 debate on suspension of football program

reactions
media

the patriot-news of harrisburg, pennsylvania, first report on grand jury investigation, in march 2011. story did not receive attention outside of immediate area, , many readers @ time assailed newspaper impugning sandusky s , penn state s reputations. after charges against sandusky filed, newspaper vindicated , in april 2012 crime reporter sara ganim , members of patriot-news staff awarded pulitzer prize local reporting coverage of scandal.

under pennsylvania law of time, state employee learned suspected child abuse required report incident immediate supervisor. in case of 2002 incident, mcqueary reported incident immediate supervisor, paterno. in turn, paterno reported incident immediate supervisor, curley, , reported gary schultz, whom university police department directly reported. these reasons, paterno , mcqueary not implicated in criminal wrongdoing, since did legally required do. however, once incident came light, paterno criticized not going beyond law report incident police, or, @ least, seeing it reported. several advocates victims of sexual abuse argued paterno should have faced charges not going police himself when apparent penn state officials unwilling act.

after mcqueary identified graduate assistant reported 2002 incident, criticized not intervening protect boy sandusky (an accusation mcqueary has since disputed), not reporting incident police himself. on november 7, pennsylvania state police commissioner frank noonan said though may have fulfilled legal obligation report suspected abuse, has question consider moral requirements human being knows of sexual things taking place child. noonan added knows suspected abuse, whether re football coach or university president or guy sweeping building, has moral responsibility call us. paterno said mcqueary informed him had witnessed incident in shower ... @ no time related me specific actions contained in grand jury report. paterno uncertain if being more graphic have made difference. , frank don t know have done good, because never heard of, of, rape , man, said paterno. when read presentment after became public, asked son, sodomy, anyway?

further, following reports of arrests, criticism of penn state leadership , paterno himself included calls dismissal allegedly protecting penn state s brand instead of child , allowing sandusky retain emeritus status , unfettered access university s football program , facilities, despite knowledge of allegations of sexual abuse. in interview new york city radio station wfan, sports reporter kim jones, penn state alumna, stated that, can t believe [paterno s] heart black, never thought [sandusky s 2002 incident] again , never thought poor kids looking male mentor, strong man in life. former sports commentator keith olbermann called paterno fired, saying failed of kids—the kid kids , player kids—he purported protecting. in editorial centre daily times, literary critic robert bernard hass, penn state alumnus, compared joe paterno s downfall greek tragedy , suggested despite paterno s many deeds, pride , age contributed failure report incident police.

the patriot-news of harrisburg published rare full-page, front-page editorial in november 8, 2011 edition calling immediate resignation of penn state president graham spanier; called joe paterno s last season. same day, editorial in pittsburgh post-gazette called resignations of both joe paterno , assistant coach mike mcqueary.

on november 14, sandusky gave first interview after being arrested. in phone interview nbc s bob costas on rock center brian williams, sandusky denied allegations, though admitted showering boys , inadvertently touching them without intent of sexual contact . interview received substantial coverage in media, particularly regarding manner in sandusky answered costas when asked if sexually attracted young boys:

costas: sexually attracted young boys, underage boys?

sandusky: sexually attracted underage boys?

costas: yes.

sandusky: sexually attracted, know, enjoy young people. love around them. no, m not sexually attracted young boys.

the day of interview, sandusky s lawyer claimed able track down victim 2 , that, according child, incident did not occur described mcqueary. however, in days following interview, several potential victims contacted state college lawyer andy shubin tell stories, 1 claiming sandusky had abused him in 1970s.

the media began run various accounts of penn state, cult of personality , power of joe paterno. former employees of penn state, including former vice president of student affairs, vickey triponey, , former football grad assistant, matt paknis, himself child abuse survivor noticed failed report sandusky s behavior, stepped forward critique power , influence of school s football program. further stories detailed loss of sponsorships, damage penn state s merchandise sales, brand, student admissions, , impact of scandal on recent graduates.

sandusky granted first interview television since conviction broadcast on nbc’s today show on march 25, 2013.

on december 3, 2014, kdka-tv in pittsburgh reported sandusky received letter penn state asking renew season ticket plan football team , attend recruiting trip penn state basketball game. letter reportedly sent out in error.

the second mile

jack raykovitz, longtime president , ceo of second mile, announced resignation on november 14. in addition, united states congressional program angels in adoption, subsequently rescinded earlier 2002 award sandusky work second mile in light of serious allegations against him, , preserve integrity of angels in adoption program.

penn state

the allegations have impacted personnel , operations penn state. penn state has responded in various ways.

ousting of spanier, curley, paterno, , schultz

penn state president graham spanier released statement of support curley , schultz before being forced resign.



joe paterno heavily criticized reaction allegations , subsequently forced resign in middle of 2011 season.

on november 8, 2011, spanier canceled paterno s weekly tuesday news conference, citing legal concerns. have been coach s first public appearance since sandusky s arrest. paterno reported spanier canceled press conference without providing paterno explanation. same day, new york times reported penn state planning paterno s exit @ close of college football season. based on interviews 2 individuals briefed on conversations among top university officials, times reported: board of trustees has yet determine precise timing of mr. paterno s exit, clear (he) not coach season.

the following day, associated press reported paterno had decided retire @ end of 2011 football season, saying didn t want distraction. in statement announcing retirement, paterno said, 1 of great sorrows of life. benefit of hindsight, wish had done more.

on afternoon of november 9, express-times of easton, pennsylvania, reported board had given spanier ultimatum—resign before night s meeting or fired. @ night s meeting, spanier offered immediate resignation. board accepted , named provost rodney erickson interim president. several penn state sources told statecollege.com , patriot-news spanier , board of trustees vice chairman john surma mutually agreed best way forward involved spanier resign voluntarily , grace.

at same meeting, board turned down paterno s proposal finish out season , instead stripped him of coaching duties immediately; defensive coordinator tom bradley named interim coach remainder of season. during week after paterno s firing, big ten conference removed name championship trophy conference championship game, renaming stagg championship trophy. inaugural game scheduled december 2011, , trophy named stagg-paterno championship trophy after paterno , amos alonzo stagg, college football pioneer. in addition, maxwell football club announced joseph v. paterno award, presented college football coach did develop players both on , off field, discontinued.

an attorney retained families of of boys allegedly abused sandusky criticized decision board fire paterno, saying, school let victims down once, , think owed victims @ least gauge how immediate termination decision impact them opposed mr. paterno s resignation @ end of year.

however, 1 of trustees told morning call of allentown board had no choice force paterno leave contain growing outrage on scandal. according trustee, board considered letting paterno finish season bradley team spokesman, decided still keep focus on paterno. board did not paterno released statements on own rather through school, board members feeling may have breached contract. trustee noted , many of colleagues felt paterno either knew [the abuse] , swept under rug, or didn t ask enough questions. board angered spanier s statements of support curley , schultz. few months later, board of trustees chairman steve garban , vice chairman john surma issued statement saying board felt paterno not expected continue perform duties in wake of scandal.

on march 12, board of trustees released described final statement on ouster of spanier , paterno. said spanier not made unauthorized statements press, failed tell board knew 2002 incident. said paterno demonstrated failure of leadership not going police. board said had every intention of sending inform paterno of decision, unable because of large number of people surrounding house. rather risk having paterno learn decision via media, board decided order him leave via telephone.

however, in late 2014 , 2015, court depositions trustees kenneth frazier , keith masser conflicted failure of leadership story. stated mr. masser in deposition in state senator jake corman s lawsuit against ncaa, decision remove coach paterno had nothing had known, hadn’t done. based upon distraction of having him on sidelines have caused university , current football team harm. had nothing coach paterno had done, or hadn’t done.

mr. frazier s testimony adds, said in case of mr. curly, initial feeling was, when first heard this, facts had not been established , needed careful make sure understood facts. in -- in 48-hour time period read grand jury presentment, reached conclusion given had become public issues leading presentment , given said in presentment coach paterno s testimony , graduate student said coach paterno, felt not send right message if coach paterno able lead football team out onto field of play under circumstances. didn t change mind on question of whether had established key facts related coach paterno s involvement and/or responsibility. had reached conclusion that, standpoint of university s values interpreted broader public, known sufficiently serious relates child sexual abuse send wrong message our values university if coach paterno allowed coach though none of had ever happened.

spanier remained tenured sociology professor @ penn state, despite being stripped of duties president. likewise, paterno remained tenured member of penn state faculty, , treated having retired. board still finalizing paterno s retirement package @ time of death lung cancer 2 months later, on january 22, 2012.

on october 16, 2012, penn state announced not renew curley s contract when expired in june 2013.

freeh report

on november 21, 2011, trustee kenneth frazier announced louis freeh, former director of fbi, lead internal investigation university s actions. freeh announced team assisting him in investigation include former fbi agents , federal prosecutors. sandusky trial proceeded toward conviction in june 2012, reported [t]he university says [freeh s] report should out summer , released trustees , public simultaneously without being reviewed school’s general counsel’s office .

the freeh report released on july 12, 2012. freeh concluded paterno, spanier, curley , schultz complicit in conceal[ing] sandusky s activities board of trustees, university community , authorities. according report, 4 men concerned sandusky treated humanely , did not express same feelings towards victims. report critical of university s general counsel, cynthia baldwin. freeh , firm found nonfeasance, schultz, spanier, curley , paterno failed protect against child sexual predator harming children on decade violating clery act.

in addition, report said 4 men exhibited striking lack of empathy sandusky s victims failing inquire safety , well-being. report stated men knew 1998 incident empowered sandusky attract potential victims campus , football events allowing him have continued, unrestricted , unsupervised access university s facilities , affiliation university s prominent football program while investigation underway. report stated 4 men not made no effort identify victim of 2001 incident, alerted sandusky mcqueary s allegations against him, potentially putting victim in more danger. stated paterno had lied grand jury regarding knowledge of sandusky s behavior; had stated @ time hadn t known inappropriate activity until 2001. in response, penn state s trustees announced accepted report s conclusions , implement corrective measures.

on september 13, 2012, group of alumni , supporters, under name of penn staters responsible stewardship, released review of freeh report critical of freeh group s investigation , conclusions. on february 10, 2013 report commissioned paterno family released dick thornburgh, former united states attorney general , former governor of pennsylvania, maintaining freeh report flawed, both respect process of [its] investigation , findings related mr. paterno . in response, freeh called paterno family s report self-serving , said did not change facts , findings of initial investigation. on june 23, 2014, @ jerry sandusky s pension forfeiture appeal, hearing arbiter michael bangs ruled sandusky s pension should reinstated , criticized freeh report stating based on significant hearsay , ruled inadmissible (for proceedings), (but) admitted in part show had found sandusky had received 71 separate payments penn state between 2000 , 2008 . later in footnote bangs states terrifically significant disparity between finding in freeh report , actual truth disturbing. while freeh report found penn state had made 71 separate payments (sandusky) between 2000-2008, off 85 percent, correct number 6 separate payments . bangs goes on error calls question accuracy , veracity of entire report .

other actions

penn state has responded in ways such removing sandusky s image mural near university, , renaming ice cream flavor had been created in honor. university responded ousting both joe paterno , graham spanier, placing mike mcqueary on indefinite paid administrative leave.

victim 1 withdrew central mountain high school due bullying, , boy s mother has stated high school did not enough prevent fallout.

in january 2012, new university president rodney erickson traveled week speak alumni in pittsburgh, philadelphia , new york in attempt repair university s image. @ meetings, erickson received harsh criticism alumni on firing of joe paterno, , received widespread criticism media attempting shift focus away university.

statue of paterno removed in july 2012.

after freeh report s release, local organizations called removal of joe paterno statue outside beaver stadium. small plane towed banner on campus, reading take statue down or will. after days of mixed messages, school removed statue on sunday, july 22, in front of crowd of student onlookers. statue reportedly put in storage. president erickson said statue had become source of division , obstacle healing made distinction between , paterno library, on campus. $13 million 1997 library expansion, partially funded $4 million gift paterno , wife sue, remains tribute joe , sue paterno s commitment penn state s student body , academic success, , highlights positive impacts coach paterno had on university.... feel library s name should remain unchanged, erickson said in statement.

steve garban, member of psu board of trustees had stepped down chairman since sandusky scandal emerged , named freeh having received not disseminated information sandusky rest of board, resigned board following report s release. made him first board member leave since scandal emerged.

penn state students

downtown state college location of november 9–10 student protest.

a few penn state students, angered on spanier s role in 2002 incident statement of support curley , schultz, created facebook page, fire graham spanier , call on penn state s board of trustees fire spanier. online petition @ change.org calling spanier s ouster garnered on 1,700 signatures in 4 days.

after paterno s ouster announced on live television, students , non-students protested near penn state campus. sources estimate 10,000 people protested support paterno, tipping on wtaj news van , flicking cigarettes @ gasoline spilling it. police officers used chemical spray disperse demonstrators. minor injuries reported. approximately $200,000 in damage resulted protest. local police criticized short notice university administration , insufficient time mobilize police officers other areas factors exacerbating situation. 47 people charged in connection protest, , subsequently sentenced combination of prison terms, probation, community service, , restitution.

on november 10, group of penn state alumni set , announced proudpsuforrainn, fundraiser anti-sexual violence network rainn goal of $500,000, exceeded july 10, 2012.

students held candlelight vigil on lawn of old main. planning vigil began monday before paterno s firing , gained steam across campus. shown live on news networks across country, including cnn , espn. former nfl player , penn state alum, sports broadcaster lavar arrington spoke @ event attracted estimated ten thousand.

ncaa
initial sanctions

on november 17, ncaa president mark emmert wrote erickson—who had had interim tag removed title on same day—to ask him how penn state had exercised control on athletic program in wake of disclosures sandusky s crimes. letter demanded answers 4 specific questions how penn state had complied ncaa policies during time. penn state pledged full cooperation, asked defer response until after release of freeh report. on july 16, emmert appeared on pbs tavis smiley , said release of freeh report, penn state had weeks, not months answer questions d raised in november letter. hinted had not ruled out issuing so-called death penalty , have forced penn state cancel @ least 2012 season. ncaa had not handed down death penalty division school since southern methodist university hit in 1987 massive violations in football program. although ncaa required consider handing down death penalty if school commits 2 major violations within 5 years, has power shut down program without preliminary sanctions in event of particularly egregious misconduct.

shortly after release of freeh report, ncaa board gave emmert power take corrective , punitive action relative penn state, forgoing ncaa s normal investigative protocol. on july 22, 2012, ncaa announced impose corrective , punitive sanctions against both penn state football program , institution whole next morning.

on july 23, 2012, emmert announced following sanctions against penn state:

five years probation.
a four-year postseason ban.
vacating of wins 1998 2011–112 wins in all. had effect of stripping nittany lions of shared big ten titles in 2005 , 2008. removed 111 wins paterno s record, dropping him first 12th on ncaa s all-time wins list.
a $60 million fine, proceeds of go toward endowment preventing child abuse. according ncaa, equivalent of typical year s gross revenue football program.
loss of total of 40 initial scholarships 2013 2017. during same period, penn state limited 65 total scholarships—only 2 more division fcs (formerly i-aa) school allowed.
penn state required adopt recommendations reform delineated in freeh report.
penn state must enter athletics integrity agreement ncaa , big ten, appoint university-wide athletic compliance officer , compliance council, , accept ncaa-appointed athletic integrity monitor duration of probation.

the sanctions took form of sweeping consent decree in penn state accepted findings of fact ncaa , waived right appeal sanctions. full release granted players in program, allowing them transfer school without losing eligibility. according espn s don van natta, jr., ncaa , penn state had begun preliminary discussions possible sanctions in mid-july. patriot-news reported ncaa formally forwarded terms penn state s legal team on july 19. discussions continued on weekend, , final agreement ncaa s original proposal except minor concessions penn state.

in announcing sanctions, emmert said intended penn state case cautionary tale of athletics overwhelming core values of institution , losing sight of why participating in these activities can occur. said sanctions necessary force penn state reform athletic culture.

the big ten followed ncaa actions, concurring findings officially censuring penn state , levying separate fine of $13 million. in statement, conference stated intentions not destroy great university, rather seek justice , constructively assist member institution efforts reform. big ten financial penalty come psu gives four-year share of conference bowl revenue. $13 million, ncaa fines, instead donated victims of child sex abuse .

the ncaa said compelled act outside normal investigative process due described sheer egregiousness of misconduct detailed in freeh report. in ncaa s view, spanier, curley, schultz , paterno s cover-up of sandusky s crimes constituted failure of institutional , individual integrity, , violated basic principles of intercollegiate athletics on , above specific ncaa policies. additionally, ncaa said since penn state had commissioned freeh report , accepted findings, further proceedings redundant. emmert himself said freeh s investigation far more exhaustive have been mounted ncaa.

due deviation normal ncaa investigative process nature of sanctions, 4 trustees of university filed appeal of sanctions. board member ryan mccombie, 26-year u.s. navy veteran elected board in july 2012 members of school s alumni association, led trustee appeal. letter filed on trustees behalf paul kelly of jackson lewis llp ncaa called sanctions excessive , unreasonable . letter argued president erickson exceeded authority in accepting sanctions. in addition, group of former penn state football players, including former starting quarterback michael robinson filed own appeal. however, spokesman ncaa held sanctions not subject appeal.

sanctions rescinded

the ncaa rescinded of sanctions against penn state. on september 24, 2013, ncaa announced penn state s scholarships gradually restored until total amount of scholarships reaches normal 85 2016-17 year, first year after penn state s postseason ban. year later, on september 8, 2014, ncaa announced penn state eligible 2014 postseason , scholarships restored in 2015. several months later, on january 16, 2015, ncaa reinstated joe paterno , tom bradley s wins.

debate on suspension of football program

at least 2 penn state trustees, several alumni, criticized erickson accepting ncaa sanctions had. however, in press conference of own shortly after penalties handed down, erickson said harsh were, had no choice accept them. according erickson, had penn state not accepted penalties, ncaa have gone in direction —one have included ncaa canceling @ least 2012 season. erickson said under circumstances, had our backs wall, , had no choice accept consent decree since deal on offer. erickson subsequently told espn s john barr penn state facing long four-year ban play had not agreed sanctions imposed. erickson went further on july 25, saying emmert had told him on july 17—a day after emmert s interview smiley—that majority of ncaa leadership wanted shut down penn state football 4 years. said penn state have faced host of other severe penalties, including fine several times greater $60 million imposed. when erickson learned this, started talks ncaa, , able death penalty taken off table. erickson discussed actions board later night, , board resolved erickson s actions understandable under circumstances.

emmert , ncaa executive committee s chairman, oregon state president ed ray, subsequently acknowledged ncaa had considered imposing death penalty, denied penn state had been threatened 1 had not accepted consent decree. ray, committee charged emmert designing sanctions, told espn s adam rittenberg while there considerable debate whether include death penalty among sanctions, overwhelming position of members of both executive committee , division board not include suspension of play. categorically denied ncaa had threatened penn state death penalty had not accepted sanctions, , added using backup in case of such rejection never point of discussion within either executive committee or division board.

emmert himself told espn s bob ley death penalty unequivocally on table 1 of possible sanctions. however, said, penn state s swift corrective measures after scandal broke out in full—including forcing out spanier , paterno—were significant factors in taking death penalty off table. had penn state not been decisive were, emmert said, don t know outcome have been, suspect have been worse. emmert repeated ray s denial penn state had been threatened multi-year suspension had not agreed penalties, saying there had been confusion circumstances. did say, however, if erickson , penn state had not signed consent decree, ncaa have launched full-blown infractions investigation have had unknown outcome.

in consent decree itself, ncaa acknowledged there had been discussion imposing death penalty, noted severe penalty reserved repeat violators neither cooperated ncaa nor took corrective measures once violations came light. however, not noted penn state s swift corrective action, pointed out school had never been subject of major infractions case before. stood in contrast situation @ smu 25 years earlier; school officials there knew major violations occurring , did nothing stop them, , school had been under constant scrutiny ncaa on decade.