Joe Paterno, the once acclaimed College Football Hall of Fame coach, will forever be associated with the child sex abuse scandal–which may date all the way back to the 70s–involving Jerry Sandusky and many members of the Penn State administration, his athletic legacy tarnished by his moral failings. But does that mean the entire school should be taken down with him?
Apparently so, according to a ruling this morning by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). As if the Nittany Lions haven’t endured enough shame, the NCAA just took a mighty swipe at their pride: fourteen years’ worth of victories withdrawn, $60 million of fines to be paid to programs that prevent child abuse, a roster cut from 85 to 65 players, a postseason ban for 4 years, the number of football scholarships limited until 2016. And potentially more penalties to come.
This means the future of Penn State football won’t be looking too bright any time soon–or at least, not until 2020. That’s when The New York Times predicts that the team will be back in full force based on the penalties they will now have to face.
“Football will never again be placed ahead of educating, nurturing and protecting young people,” said NCAA President Mark Emmert.
Whatever the association’s intentions, the ruling was hardly well-received by members of the Penn State community–many of whom broke down, some of whom decided to speak up, like freshman Alex Gibson.
“I don’t think it’s necessary. I don’t think the NCAA should have the authority to do something like this. This is not a football related issue. We didn’t cheat at football, and they shouldn’t take our wins,” he said.
He has a point. After all, what can be gained by erasing hard-earned victories, victories that were achieved by the very young people that the NCAA is trying to protect? But on the other hand, would it have been right to continue recognizing Paterno’s wins?
Let us know what you think about the NCAA’s ruling, collegiettes! Should the entire school be held accountable for one administration’s crimes?