NCAA hits Penn State hard, but ‘death penalty’ appropriate (UPDATED with video)
Mark Emmert moved fast and hit Penn State for their actions (and inactions). (AP photo)
(See video blog with CineSports’ Noah Coslov below)
(Updated at 6:40 p.m. with comment from Penn State president that school accepted penalties to avoid death penalty)
Let’s start with this: NCAA president Mark Emmert acted swiftly and justly. That’s a rarity for the NCAA.
Emmert didn’t need a 17-month investigation by an overworked and underpaid staff to unearth something that we didn’t already learn from prosecutors and witnesses in the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse trial, or from the exhaustive, 267-page Freeh Report, conducted by a former director of the FBI. Anybody who believes Emmert moved too quickly on Penn State without the NCAA doing its own leg work must not having been paying attention for the past several decades, when policing college athletics became far too big of a job for that relative mom-and-pop organization.
The NCAA appropriately slammed Penn State Monday for its perceived enabling and cover-up of Sandusky. Emmert referenced an athletic culture “that went horribly awry” and a misguided “hero worship” that led to it. He didn’t bury the lead.
The penalties will double-over every blinded school official, player, fan, alum and misguided individual who hugged and tried to protect the Joe Paterno statute. The school was hit with a $60 million fine, equivalent to one year’s gross revenue for the football program (the money will fund an endowment that will fight child sexual abuse).
There’s also a four-year bowl ban; the loss of 40 scholarships over four years; the freedom for existing Penn State players to transfer to another school without having to sit out a year; the vacating of all victories since 1998, a symbolic punch to the gut for the memory of Joe Paterno. (The quarterback for Paterno’s last official win in 1997: Mike McQueary, whose eyewitness account of seeing Sandusky in the shower with a young boy was ignored years later.)
The sanctions will cripple the football program. But Emmert still fell short.
The NCAA, as I’ve written previously, should have gone one step further and shut the program down for one to two years. It would’ve been more than just a symbolic hit.
There is a need for a cultural change at Penn State, as Emmert himself said frequently Monday, and the “death penalty” would have increased the likelihood of that happening. It would have prompted anybody who ever took part in a cover-up or ignored whispers about Sandusky to reflect during Saturdays in the fall when football wasn’t being played at Penn State. Beaver Stadium could have been used for weekly prayer vigils for the victims.
Penn State officials need time to process this. They need to consider where, when and why they jumped the rails on their mission. While there’s no question the NCAA’s punishment will make them feel the pain of their actions, nothing can equal the silence of an empty stadium, the absence of weekly pep rallies. No program in history deserves to be shuttered as much as the Penn State football team. We send criminals to jail. We don’t tell them, “OK, you can still go back to that bank that you robbed, but now you’ll have to take the bus, and just don’t do it again.” Penn State needed to lose its freedoms, its privileges.
For some reason, the NCAA apparently gave Penn State a choice. President Rodney Erickson told the Centre Daily Times the school accepted the sanctions to avoid the death penalty: “We had our backs to the wall on this. We did what we thought was necessary to save the program.”
Some believe the death penalty would have been a softer punishment than what Penn State received. I don’t get that. Has anybody seen SMU since the death penalty?
Emmert believes the death penalty would’ve caused “unintended harm” to those who were innocent in this mess. That’s true. Unfortunately, the innocent always get hurt in NCAA probation. New players and often new coaches are in place when sanctions hit for past misdeeds.
Those who believe Sandusky’s crimes didn’t warrant any sanctions because they did not give the school a competitive advantage are missing the big picture. Question: If Jerry Sandusky was a chemistry professor and not a former high profile football coach, do you believe he would’ve been protected? Of course not. Penn State’s actions and inactions were about preserving the competitiveness, image and profitability of the football program.
Even without the death penalty, however, it was encouraging to see Emmert take charge. The NCAA has needed somebody with logic and courage to run things. The hope is that this won’t be an isolated case, because the leaders of college athletics have long since lost perspective.
Emmert said the Penn State case “involves tragic and tragically unnecessary circumstances. One of the grave dangers coming from our love of sports is that the sports themselves can become too big to fail, too big to even challenge. The result can be an erosion of academic values that are replaced by hero worship and winning at all costs. In the Penn State case, the results were perverse and unconscionable.”
They were the perfect words to punctuate the punishment and begin the process of closure. Going one step further would have made it just a little better.
By Jeff Schultz
Here’s my chat with CineSports’ Noah Coslov on the NCAA’s sanctions against Penn State.
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525 comments Add your comment
Dennis
July 23rd, 2012
2:30 pm
And the UGA president was fired and Dooley got stronger, that is what happens at Hero Worship U. Just ask Jan Kemp.
5150 UOAD
July 23rd, 2012
2:34 pm
HUEY LONG……said” better to be found with a dead hooker in your car trunk than a live boy in your bed.”
Bammer
July 23rd, 2012
2:34 pm
Good job “Really?” The only loudmouth on here besides PSU Alum is YOU. I guess it wouldn’t be an AJC blog without some asswipe stating that Bama is about to be in trouble…no proof of anything as usual…just talking out of your unwashed squatter. You are a completely unoriginal simpleton. Now STFU. Thanks.
be careful
July 23rd, 2012
2:36 pm
2022: Penn State wins MAC east division title for the first time.
gdawginkalamazoo
July 23rd, 2012
2:37 pm
Hitler just unfriended Paterno on Facebook.
SEC Rules
July 23rd, 2012
2:37 pm
Please stop with the ‘Big 10′ references. They are now the Big 9.3 unless Notre Dame decides to join; then and only then the proper conference designation would be the Big 10. The SEC will continue to dominate for years and years so just get used to it. Hurts, huh?
gdawginkalamazoo
July 23rd, 2012
2:39 pm
I don’t think there are enough dudes named Rudy left to fill in the roster openings at Penn State.
shankit
July 23rd, 2012
2:39 pm
The trickle and domino effect of the sanctions imposed on penn state,
will be worse than a death penalty for a couple of years.
Already, fans who are major contributors, season ticket holders,
sky box renters are demanding their financial recourse as well.
It remains to be seen how many players transfer, and if they will
even be able to field any competitive team.
Also, don’t think they will be getting any TV revenue.
Now, that brings in the Big Ten or Twelve, what will they do
to impose their own sanctions? Embarrasment to their league,
and financial domino downturns for penn state and conference.
Don’t see any recovery for at least a decade or two.
Worst than a death penalty.
Delbert D.
July 23rd, 2012
2:40 pm
The big 9.3? Even if the Big Ten tossed Penn State, there would still be 11 teams.
SMU Dawg
July 23rd, 2012
2:43 pm
SMU won the iron skillet this last year!! Suck it TCU!!!!
Big Crimson 75
July 23rd, 2012
2:43 pm
PSU alum — enough with the hick comments. You are showing yourself to be an imposter. Anyone who’s been to the state of Pennsylvania knows between Philly and Pittsburgh is Mississippi!!
Really? — you try so hard. There is no investigation going on at Bama. Sorry to disappoint.
For all, the term “death penalty” is no longer used by the NCAA for various reasons. Being PC among them. The stigma attached to the word another. They literally killed a program in SMU. But the term itself is no longer used.
ARdawg
July 23rd, 2012
2:44 pm
zoo dawg
Thats funny right there I don’t care who ya are
Rickster
July 23rd, 2012
2:44 pm
If it was about doing what’s right, the NCAA should have killed the football program. But it’s all about the money to the NCAA.
Not only do they get their $60 million now, but they continue to get their cut of the massive amounts of money generated by their officially licensing all the clothing and merchandise that Penn State fans buy in huge quantities.
The NCAA has no shame, no class & no scruples.
MS
July 23rd, 2012
2:44 pm
If I were Mark Richt I would tell you stupid Ass dog fans to go straingt to hell. You people don’t deserve a coach and person of his caliber. The Dawgs are nothing but a bunch of redneck hillbillies that cant figure out who they are much less what they stand for!!! Mark Richt has more class and is much smarter than all you dufus idiots. Mark, why do you put up with these dumb butts? You could name your price and pick your college anywhere across the United States and get away from these morons. These people have made it a past time constantly running you down. Leave them holding the bag. Then they will get a good taste of how hard it is to find a quality football coach with ethics and pride.
SEC Rules
July 23rd, 2012
2:49 pm
@DD,
Was that my math error or simply extreme sarcasm? You figure it out.
reckingball
July 23rd, 2012
2:51 pm
It may not be a death penalty, but it is critical injury.
bamagrad02
July 23rd, 2012
2:51 pm
After reading the report, this sounds like a slap on the wrist. Dozens of kids got raped here!!! A fine, bowl ban, and scholly reductions is not enough. I know the penalties are harsh and with the exception on this year, PSU will not be competitve for the remainder of the decade. The NCAA had a chance to make a real statement here and dropped the ball. Since the university will still be able to fill the 110K capacity stadium they will still be able to make money. If I was in charge and decided not to pursue the dealth penalty, PSU would not have a home game until 2014. That would’ve hit their wallets hard. What Sandusky did makes the whole SMU scandal in the 80’s appear minor. If what happened at PSU does not merit use of the death penalty, then the actual death penalty option should be removed.
nash
July 23rd, 2012
2:53 pm
This is way worst than anything that took place at SMU and, for the record it would not kill Penn St’s program or the city that the school is in to not have a program for a few years.
For the record SMU was irrelevant before they started cheating so why would they be relevant again after being caught.
I hope I never see another person in Penn St paraphernalia again
reckingball
July 23rd, 2012
2:58 pm
Don’t understand the comparison with Bill and Monica.
Monica was up for the job, and a consenting adult.
The Republicans tried to get him for one thing, couldn’t prove it, so they decided to go after him for the Monica thing.
$$$43million to prove Clinton recieved oral sex in the White House?
What a waste of taxpayer dollars. If she had swallowed they never could have proven anything, anyways.
Tide Rising
July 23rd, 2012
2:58 pm
Really?,
“I have seen posts on several sites today saying a huge investigation is underway at bama by a non ncaa body.”
Then please present all these credible sources cause I haven’t seen a thing. And btw anonymous blog posts by rival fans are not credible.
“I wonder if all the bama loudmouths are still proud of how saban and their football team “bend” the rules and refuse to punish players or even test players?”
Please present your proof of Saban and our football team “bending” the rules. And secondly be my guest and please forward said proof to the NCAA.
Last of course please detail to us how you know that Bama refuses to punish players or even test players? Are you a mole inside the Alabama football program?
And please explain how it is that 3 players have been on indefinite suspension including Cris Carter’s son who just asked for and received a transfer due to disciplinary problems. Because as you just said we don’t discipline or test our players.
Oh. And I almost forgot. Please explain all those players that dawg fans complain about who’ve been run out of the Alabama program. Or did you not know that they were run out because of disciplinary problems- several of them for failing drug tests? Bama does drug test. A lot. Just because an ignoramus like yourself doesn’t know that doesn’t mean we don’t.
Delbert D.
July 23rd, 2012
3:00 pm
I hereby declare that I am not responsible for others’ math errors or attempts at sarcasm.
Big Crimson 75
July 23rd, 2012
3:06 pm
The Braves are giving up Randell Delgado for Ryan Dempster.
Dempster is solid, no doubt, but he is a rental player.
I hate we give up Delgado.
I really hate Beachy got hurt.
I really hate Jair Jurghens, period.
I’d rather have gotten Grienke if it meant giving up Delgado, but Dempster has been arguably the best pitcher in the NL this season.
Instant Dawgma
July 23rd, 2012
3:11 pm
Wasn’t sure NCAA had the power to hit school with such a hefty fine. That is a hefty fine. Knew they could do things like bowl sanctions, tv appearances, scholarship losses, etc but didn’t know such fines (who are they actually paying?)….
Instant Dawgma
July 23rd, 2012
3:12 pm
They should have been banned from tv appearances also.
Is Free Shoes U man #1 in wins now?
July 23rd, 2012
3:15 pm
Vacating wins since ‘98…..Anybody else notice?
Is Semihole Bowden tops in wins?
Is Free Shoes U man #1 in wins now?
July 23rd, 2012
3:15 pm
Vacating wins since ‘98…..Anybody else notice?
Is Semihole Bowden tops in wins?
ncaa next targets...miami and yahoos at bamalama
July 23rd, 2012
3:18 pm
Thugs of Miami ought to be shaking now….They’re next on NCAA hit list.
echols county rancher
July 23rd, 2012
3:20 pm
You expect a “death penalty” for violating boys (or girls, for that matter) to straighten out Penn St? He11, the catholics can’t even keep their leaders from doing it. I don’t see catholic churches shamefully shutting down. Follow the $$$, and you’ll see the truth.
Capt Jack
July 23rd, 2012
3:22 pm
Yes, Bowden is now #1
gte773w
July 23rd, 2012
3:24 pm
Penn State should also be kicked out of the Big Ten, the high standards of the Big Ten should not tolerate what happened at Penn State: HURTING CHILDREN FOR GOD’S SAKE!!! Kick the bums out and never let them step onto a Big Ten field ever again. The AD, VP and President should all be in jail with Sandusky on 10-15 years each for being accessories to the damage done to the children after Sandusky could have been stopped.. Heck, if I was the Governor of Pennsylvania, I would revoke the school charter of Penn State and lock all of the doors forever…. COuld you imagine if this happened at Georgia or Georgia Tech???
Victim of a loose bowel movement
July 23rd, 2012
3:28 pm
Help me out here…..
and scholly reductions is not enough.
What is scholly?
Is this part of the Alabama education system?
ARBY
July 23rd, 2012
3:28 pm
If I hear “we are Penn State” chant again, I am going to be sick ! Why didn’t they get the Death Penalty ? Is Football More important than kid’s lifes ? Money is more important than kid’s lifes..I guess. SMU got it because of benefits to players (money). So Southern schools get punished harshly, the uppity yankee schools don’t !!! Any SEC school that did that would have gotten death penaly, except Tennesee.
JSS
July 23rd, 2012
3:30 pm
They found a way to turn another blog into a SEC pissing contest! AJC Blogs!!!
Festus
July 23rd, 2012
3:31 pm
SMU violates rules and gets Death Penalty. State Pen violates the law and has to cough up some money. Here an idea: get rid of all athletic scholarships and field teams with real students. Might be fun to have nerds on the field and the jocks in the pros without 4 years of a farm team with the name of a state attached.
ARBY
July 23rd, 2012
3:33 pm
Penn State players transfer to UGA, at least you know Mark Richt won’t put up with crap!
Former Georgian
July 23rd, 2012
3:36 pm
Agree with Markiemark about not penalizing the business community. I’m no fan of the NCAA, but think they got this right in both the consequences they imposed and the rapidity with which they imposed them. Vacating the victories should solve the problem of Paterno’s winningest record, but his name needs to be removed from all references to this record-an asterisk is not enough.
Bammer
July 23rd, 2012
3:41 pm
Victim-
If you don’t know what “scholly” means then please go to the Barbie Doll blog and play with the girls.
MT
July 23rd, 2012
3:42 pm
Arby,
According to NCAA GUIDELINES PENN ST was not considered for the death penalty, because the
death penalty is for a program who commits MAJOR INFRACTURES WHILE BEING CURRENTLY
SERVING SENTENCE FOR PRIOR SANCTIONS.Up until now Penn St has NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE NCAA.If they commit an infraction now their toast.
ARdawg
July 23rd, 2012
3:42 pm
Penn State was just molested by the NCAA to the tune of 60mil. Schultz doesn’t believe that good enough. The NCAA should have molested and murdered Penn St? Jeff, the NCAA is well out of it’s reach but imposing it anyway. Let the prosecuting authorities take out the individuals involved and send them to jail. Since when is molesting children sanctioned by the NCAA?
Producr
July 23rd, 2012
3:45 pm
These penalties are a joke. 10 year minimum “death penalty” should have been enacted.
GEORGIA FOOTBALL
July 23rd, 2012
3:45 pm
11th in all time football victories. UGA
Braves make big move!
July 23rd, 2012
3:47 pm
Braves apparently got Dempster from Cubs.
Similar to way Greg Maddux was with ERA.
Federal Pen St.
July 23rd, 2012
3:48 pm
Penitentiary State
Victim of a loose bowel movement
July 23rd, 2012
3:49 pm
I didn’t ask for condescending crap. I asked for a definition of “scholly”
mt
July 23rd, 2012
3:52 pm
scholly”
Scholly is short for scholarship
Hurricane NCAA blowing through
July 23rd, 2012
3:54 pm
NCAA is on a rampage to get schools lacking in control at the moment.
Miami is going to get everything Penn St. is getting except the $60mill fine.
But Miami might also lose TV appearances and get hit hard that way financially.
Drexel Gal
July 23rd, 2012
3:58 pm
An online columnist suggested suspending the Penn State football program one year for each year that the crimes were covered up — which would be thriteen in all. Two Liberal political columnists have blamed George Bush for both sides of the issue. One blames him for Sandusky, and the other blames him for the sanctions against Penn State. Welcome to life in the 21st Century.
Hurricane NCAA blowing through
July 23rd, 2012
3:58 pm
Has SMU ever recovered? Of course not. That’s why NCAA has wimped out on death penalties since. Otherwise USC and Miami would have been gone a long time ago.
Dumb Column
July 23rd, 2012
3:59 pm
Mr Shultz, this is a bad column, here is why – First this was larger than the Football Program, this was about a whole university. This was about the leadership, not the player, the fans, or the alumni. Not one of them, if sain would condone what happened. However, taking away wins, allowing less kids to recieve a college education (reduction in scholorships). Stripping former players of titles and wins, does nothing for the victims. Let me give you what I think should have happen, and you can weigh in. 1. Take the statue of “Joe Pa”, instead of putting in a storage shed, sell it at auction (Someone would buy it), and then give the money to help abused children. 2. Take the name of “Joe Pa” off the Library, take the $4 million he gave, and give it back to help abused children 3, Require a percentage of every ticket sale (To all Penn state activities ) to be donated to help abused kids 4. Require the univeristy to give “Free Tuition” to 100 abused kids per year as long as they are a member of the NCAA, and make the school pay for it. These are things that would impact future victims and make real impacts to “Kids”, all the NCAA has done today is impact a “Football Program”, that believe it or not will recover and in 10 years, and will make it back, but I can promise that it will take a lot longer for victims of this crime or any other abused child to recover.
Hurricane NCAA blowing through
July 23rd, 2012
4:01 pm
The Yahoos in Tallahassee are acting as if they won the lottery now that Booby Bowden is #1.
Aw shucks.