<p>this goes to the root of the problem. “the amount of money football brings in” philosophy gave football leadership the ability to dictate their terms and conditions to the rest of Penn State and in the end created a culture where a monster like Sandusky was free to “operate” for decades while there were plenty of people who knew what was going on. All was done in the name of protecting that all mighty Penn State religion that is football. </p>
<p>Read the article about the former dean at Penn State who lost to (meaning, ousted by) Joe P who told the president of the school - unless she is fired, he will no longer do fund raising for the school.</p>
<p>Under the circumstance, how could you keep the status quo for the football as a Penn state religion and expect anything to really change fundamentally. Unless there is a very public, very drastic statement that affirms that Penn State is an academic institution foremost for which all others come in as a second priority, and football does not dictate to the rest of the institutions what can and cannot be done, it will simply be a slap on the wrist for football, and in a couple of years, it will “regain” its position as THE defining identity of the school for which everything else has to take a second seat.</p>
<p>Suspending football in order to make a major overhaul is to make sure this never happens again. I’m surprised not a single Penn St. parent/alum/student is in favor of suspending football operations for even a year in order to make the changes that are needed. All I hear about are the poor cheerleaders and band members that would be affected. Seriously?!</p>
<p>The football season is ending - now is the time to clean house, bring in new coaches, etc. What would shutting down football for one season accomplish that couldn’t be accomplished off season? You want the football program punished? Don’t worry - it will be. Recruits are leaving, players will transfer, money will go elsewhere. The punishment will be long lasting. But, what many of us are saying is that this can all happen without making it more difficult for those not at fault. It’s not just cheerleaders or band members - you know that. You already know that the small business owners, hotels, other varsity sports, clubs that work at the games to make money, those employed etc. would all be punished. I know - you don’t care. It’s all about shutting down the football program. Your thought of just “one season” what’s the big deal is incorrect. You shut down a football program you have ongoing repercussions for years to come. Sad that so much is funded through football - but you know what, things are funded at least. With so many small businesses closing in this economy - isn’t it nice that these businesses have been able to make it? You think that just because us parents aren’t in agreement that we’re in the Penn St. football mentality. It’s so far from that. We all agree that what happened was wrong. We all agree that there must be change so this doesn’t happen again. We all agree that it will take time to recover. But, I for one see that so much damage has already been done - I’d hate to see more suffer as well. Those involved should be punished. I’d hate to see so many others suffer as well - people losing their jobs, people who have families, along with many others. Easy for you to say “shut the program down” when you don’t care about the financial and emotional toll involved. I’m not a football fanatic and I’m not against punishing those involved to the fullest possible. But shutting down the football program is not the answer.</p>
<p>This is just proving everyone’s point. Football has been elevated to a near-religion on campus so that no one can even entertain the thought of just downgrading to Div II or III. The reverence in which it was help just fostered the attitudes which led it to the quite probably the worst scandal in the history of sports in american.</p>
<p>Is football really so important that even a horrific rape and series of sex crimes cannot change the “Business as usual” attitude toward the program.</p>
<p>The investigation is just beginning. You really think this is something that can be accomplished in a few months of offseason? You and many other apologists still don’t quite comprehend what a big deal this whole scandal is. The investigation has to get rolling. We need to determine just how deep this went. Only then can we know who to fire, who to rehire, what to change, and what rules and regulations need to be instilled. </p>
<p>This isn’t about punishing the football program. No amount of punishment can change the past. I hope Jerry Sandusky pays dearly (criminally) and Joe Paterno and company pay dearly (civilly) for their transgressions. But, shutting down the program isn’t about punishment or atonement for what happened. It’s about looking towards the future to prevent something like this from ever happening again.</p>
<p>Look at this as an opportunity to explore everything else Penn State has to offer. Other sports at Penn State have always played a backseat to football. If football is suspended, go out and support those other sports and those other athletes and those other cheerleaders! Show people that Penn State is more than just football.</p>
<p>1) I know what else Penn St. has to offer…I think it’s you and many others that fail to see that. I don’t even go to football games (haven’t yet). Yes, my son goes to football games. He also goes to volleyball games, soccer games, basketball games, participates actively in several clubs, plays a club sport, and you know what else…he studies quite a bit (can you believe it). My son is studying engineering on a full academic scholarship - nope, not football - not any other sport…academic. Yes, there are many that go to Penn St. to study. What drew my son there? The Engineering Dept, the chance to do undergraduate research and the amazing academic support he was offered. The sports were secondary.</p>
<p>2) Don’t demean me and tell me that I “don’t get it”. I have investigation sexual abuse and worked with severely abused children for over 20 years. I totally get the severity of what happened. I also get the fact that sadly enough, this happens quite often as I have firsthand evidence of (including multple non-reporting charges over the years). I can only hope that now that this problem is in the news that more people will understand how important it is to report and keep reporting. Did you know that the average pedophile has 260 vicitims in their lifetime? Scary. Did you also know that the average child is not believed or heard when they disclosed, and often will need to disclose multiple times. This is not acceptable at any level. I never said and will never say that what happened should be forgotten or even forgiven. I simply don’t agree with your solution. So you can call me an “apologist” or whatever name you wish - but don’t assume you know me or what I get or don’t get.</p>
<p>3) I am not saying that all will be fixed in an off-season. But I believe that you can begin to make great strides. It’s a work in progress that will take years…That said, you can make your staff changes at that time. I fail to see (and will continue to fail to see) how canceling a season is necessary. I believe that risks far outweigh the benefits. That’s my opinion (my educated opinion) and has nothing to do with my being a football fanatic!</p>
<p>I am sorry, but from the outside looking in it still looks like the football program there is still being held to a reverential status. How can you say you will make great strides when you can’t even envision life without football on campus. What “risks” are there in cancelling a season? The risks continuing the program is the perpetuation of the image of football over everything. This is the most horrific scandal ever to hit sports, so how is the suspension of the program for a year too much to ask?</p>
<p>I bet if football was suspended on campus, the academic standards (that some of you seem to keep bringing up) would decrease. I’m a senior in a Pennsylvania public school. I know many very smart (high GPA/SAT) kids that would rather go to Pitt or Maryland over PennState if football was removed. The school is in the middle of no where; what will the students look forward to on fall weekends? Think of it this way: many smart kids go to Penn State b/c of football and it’s a good school, yet you won’t gain any smart kids by getting rid football, just lose. It’s a core part of the PSU experience and by removing that, you’re also removing a lot of potential applicants.</p>
<p>Norcalguy - just to be clear…no Thon.org is not a fundraiser for the victims of abuse. It is the worlds largest student run fundraiser. The proceeds help families with pediatric cancer. The students work very hard every year to raise this money which helps families mostly through the Penn State Hospital -Hershey Medical Center which is where Penn State has a medical school. The slogan for the fundraiser is FTK. My daughter was very involved in the Thon fundraiser. She is a highly motivated and academically gifted student and earned a degree in IST. </p>
<p>RAINN stands for Rape Abuse Incest National Network. Penn State alumni are partnering with this organization to raise money to support and encourage victims to come forwards and end the silence. </p>
<p>Ljrfrm - I’m sure your son chose Penn State for its excellent and competitive engineering program. My daughter had several opportunties for undergraduate research during her years there. She also had a corporate internship. Best of luck to your son! I agree with many of your thoughts. Sounds to me like you very much get it. </p>
<p>ArKhAiK - interesting thoughts. Yes Penn State is in the middle of nowhere. I don’t what the impact of all this will be on the applicant pool. </p>
<p>ArKhAiK: I find it a very dubious proposition that suddenly smart kids will cease going to an institution because their is no football. Those that do make there choice based on that surely will be replaced by equally intelligent students who would value the chance at a quality education.</p>
<p>I am wondering if there would not be a backlash if Penn State were seen not to take this horrendous scandal seriously enough. You may lose people that way as well</p>
<p>The goal of ProudPSUforRAINN was to raise over $500,000 - $1 for every PSU alum.
According to the website, they have already raised almost $480,000. </p>
I wouldn’t be surprised if there are many smart students who would choose to attend colleges other than PSU if PSU closes their football program for a year or more. Colleges have become very competitive in attracting top students. A big name football program and the school spirit that goes with it is another factor for perspective students that have a number of other good choices to consider. Remember, PSU is not attracting in-state smart students because of it’s wonderful affordability…it’s the total experience (including academics and big time sports) that helps justify the cost. JMPO…</p>
<p>There are many fine universities with top notch reputation that thrive without football. And some of the “total experience” that went with Penn State Football is hardly a selling point. </p>
<p>I would imagine that Penn State would want to start the healing process as much as possible. Is the center of this scandal so sacrosanct it is not to be touched even after a scandal like this? Are you sure this is the message you want sent out about the campus?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I think that’s the belief of a lot of people, and IMO that’s precisely why it’s vital that Penn State take a sabbatical from football.</p>
<p>ArKhAiK: With all the details of the scandal coming out regarding the football programs involvement in this, I do not think the word “pride” is the correct description of what is being felt</p>
<p>ArKhAIK - if you’ve worked hard in high school and have earned the GPA and the SAT scores that will allow you acceptance at Penn State University Park then you should be proud of yourself. Don’t accept condemnation or shame for a situation that you did not cause. </p>
<p>Don’t let the actions of others or the words of others define who you are or who you will become. You get to choose your future. I hope that they do continue the football program at Penn State and that the students continue to have this as part of their college experience.</p>