As if University Park, Pennsylvania needed more bad news, The Nittany Lions lost to Big Ten Conference newcomers The Nebraska Cornhuskers by 3 points this past Saturday. But despite the loss, the game served as the first step in the healing process after the devastating child sex-abuse scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky rocked Penn State and shocked the country.
This might have been the most anticipated game of the weekend. Not because Nebraska had just come off a loss to Northwestern and needed a victory, not because Penn State was 8-1 going into the game, but because the nation was watching to see how this school and football program were going to handle their current situation.
There were traces of the Lion’s off-the-field issues throughout the game. Most noticeably was the first absence of head coach Joe Paterno in 46 years. Despite being cleared of any charges, Penn State University’s board of trustees voted unanimously to fire the ‘winningest coach in football’ along with Penn State President Graham Spanier for knowing of the abuse and turning the other way, what the board called a lack ‘moral responsibility’.
The stadium was filled with fans sporting blue garb, not just to support the Lions – their colors are dark royal blue and white – but because the color is associated with child abuse prevention. Public service announcements played during the game on the scoreboard. The Nebraska alumni association handed out hundred of blue ribbons to support victims. At the game alone 22,000 dollars was raised for abuse victims by PSU. And the most touching moment happened before the game even started when both teams knelt midfield in silent prayer to honor the victims.
Though the football program is recovering as best it can, the road will be long and the university, last years’ 3rd most profitable football program in the country, is starting to see that in its lost revenue. Already at least 6 companies have pulled ads from Penn State broadcasts, and when all of the television revenue is shared with the Big Ten conference, Penn State isn’t going to be the only one that is hurting.
However, monetary loss cannot compare to the pain of the abuse victims, now numbering in 40 sexual crimes against 8 boys across 15 years. No matter what your opinions are on JoePa, Penn State their football program, your heart has to goes out to the victims and their families. After questionable rioting and outrage at JoePa’s ousting, students, alumni and the Penn State community through awareness and donations have begun to move forward to show they are still Penn State.
To Donate: http://www.rainn.org/ProudPSUforRAINN