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June 18, 2012

We here at The Blather have steered relatively clear of the Jerry Sandusky scandal and trial because had we tried to follow it closely it would dominate this blog.  Since this is a PITT sports blog and because writing is hard enough that was our choice.

However, here is an opinion piece entitled Saturday Diary / Tarnished and traumatized, we are still Penn State in yesterday’s Post-Gazette from a recent PSU graduate, Lexi Belculfine, who worked on the PSU student newspaper over the last four years, obviously including reporting on the issuance of the Grand Jury report and the subsequent fallout and on-going trial.

I did write an article on The Blather immediately after the Grand Jury report was issued entitled  Flames around State College.  Upon re-reading it and reflecting back through the prism of all the information I now have from following the scandal and trial today; I don’t think I would change anything.  I ended that Nov 9th piece with these thoughts:

“I don’t revel in this happening to Penn State.  I’ve always held a healthy respect for both the University and for the football program.  I’ve been around a few blocks in my 56 years, both personally and professionally, so I certainly never bought into the hype that PSU and its fans have worked so hard to create.  I’ve also worked in law enforcement and have seen many instances of lying and deception although nothing of this magnitude.

But now? Now I look at the University exactly how it must be looked at by the criminal justice system of the state of Pennsylvania.  As an entity where heinous crimes were committed and where lying, deceit and abuse of authority has run rampant.  The State must forget about reputations, past good works and loss of revenue and do the right thing. Prosecute to the highest extent of the law. To not do so sends a message that there are institutions more powerful that the State itself and that the power they wield can twist the fabric of our basic right of protection against deliberate harm by others.”

  I believe Ms. Belculfine means much the same but with less strength of wordage.  She seems to have taken great pains to not only look at her whole PSU experience with a clear eye but also to examine the Sandusky scandal and its impact on her university, which she loves, in much the same unjaundiced eye and then go public with it.  That is not an easy thing to do when such strong public negative emotions are still running rampant on this subject.

Her wrap up is heartfelt and I believe her thoughts here are something that all of us want – complete investigations and complete justice and punishment for those involved not only in the abuses but also in the cover-up – no matter how far back it goes.  She writes:

But what defines “the end?” For the victims, recovery may extend years beyond a verdict or sentence. We can hope more questions will be answered about the university’s handling of the Sandusky affair — from former FBI director Louis Freeh’s internal investigation and other investigations and litigation.

As for me, I hope for reflection and growth, and a revived faith in my alma mater. As they say, we are still Penn State.”

  In my opinion it is important to understand that not every PSU alumni/supporter are like some of their more obsessed and rationalizing fans we read on the message boards.  To think that they are is prejudiced and, I think, naïve.  I believe it is going to continue to get worse for the PSU family even after this trial ends because of the new revelations that have surfaced of complicit illegal behavior to keep theses abuse cases in-house so as to protect the persons involved.  In trying protect the persons involved they were in fact trying to insure their own self interests and those of the University.

I appreciated this young lady’s opinion piece; I disagree with some of what she feels and says but I don’t see it as an apologist’s point of view and I let her know that via email this morning.

Some of you will have differing opinions than mine and so please remember this article is an opinion piece in itself – I don’t speak for Chas here.

  On a similar note:  If you are interested in following this case and trial in detail here are two very good websites for it.  First is the PennLive.com website.  This is the media outlet who has Sara Ganim, a PSU graduate BTW, who won the Pulitzer for her excellent coverage of this issue.  She’s still writing and reporting very well.

The second is a running blog by the WGAL News outlet, WGAL.com who has the most up to the minute proceedings of what is happening in the trial.  It is set up backwards so you see the earliest posts first but just click on the “Newest>” button and you be at the up to date posts.

 

 

 





The victims have lost significantly , childhoods that have been fractured terribly, one can only pray for them. Aside from the victims I find it most alarming that Spanier was knowing coverup participant to the scandal. The reports that Pa officials have e-mails from Spanier to members of his staff (including AD)supporting the idea to say or do nothing because its the humane thing to do for Jerry is disgusting.
The taxpayers of Pa foot a major portion of the bill at PSU and Spanier made a heft salary while entrusted with the formation of our youth development as good human beings. Spanier needs to serve jail time and not still be on the payroll as professor emeritus.
Football was the reason for the coverup but the lack of leadership to appropriately handle the situation makes a greater indictment has to what -WE ARE PENN ST- really stands for, and I am certainly proud that I have no connection to PSU.

Comment by spindler's spirit 06.18.12 @ 7:37 am

Spindler is spot on. Most of you continue to miss the point. This is not about Sandusky. He is (was) just one of many symptoms. The disease was the football program which allowed the evolution of a sultan. No way does any system of justice function in that kind of a cult. The debate about JoePa’s reluctance/refusal to retire was not about his diminishing football sense. It was about checks and balances of power. We all know now what this kind of dictatorial regime can produce. Cover ups. Because the status quo just feels so good and right. The Sandusky mess did one thing for sure. It prevented JoePa from running out the clock. Sure, there are a lot of good people who hail from Penn State and are victims as well. But that does not take away from the fact that Happy Valley became nothing more than another version of the Jim Jones cult because one man was allowed to amass too much power and influence. The best decision I ever made 40 years ago was to go to Pitt instead of Penn State.

Comment by wally 06.18.12 @ 8:53 am

Absolute power corrupts absolutely! It never changes throughout history.

Comment by Dan 72 06.18.12 @ 10:18 am

Penn state football ran the University and the entire town. It’s really not a shock that the stooges at the top did all they could to protect their power and money maker no matter how dispicable. This all basically confirms what I’ve felt for many years about psu… Phonies that worship at the statue of JoePa and could care less about the students unless they play in Beaver Stadium on Saturdays.

Every time I think of the intentional cover ups it literally sickens me…to think how many of these disgusting acts may have been prevented if a few people with knowledge and power weren’t selfish cowards.

Comment by Coach Ditka 06.18.12 @ 11:31 am

I agree with all thoughts – here is a question for you guys to think about.

What would you have done with the football program if you were on the Board of Trustees at PSU over the last eight months?

Spindler – I believe that the title “Professor Emeritus” is largely an honorific and is non-salaried.

Comment by Reed 06.18.12 @ 11:43 am

Dan 72 said it.

Character is what you do when you think so one is watching. By that criterion, PSU failed miserably.

How about this …”WE ARE…SORRY”.

Comment by SFPitt 06.18.12 @ 11:44 am

SFPitt,
You are correct PSU should change to WE ARE Sorry,
they should regret what knowingly went on and realize that PSU is a SORRY PLACE.

Comment by spindler's spirit 06.18.12 @ 4:03 pm

Reed,
Spanier gets his health benefits paid for by PSU (nice deal) and should lose his pension from PSU if convicted. If convicted do you think anyone associated with Harrisburg or PSU has the balls to strip Spanier of his hefty pension.
The PSU arrogance was displayed when Spanier’s replacement was named , they went in-house instead of hiring a candidate outside of PSU. They didn’t learn a thing from the Sandusky saga.

Comment by spindler's spirit 06.18.12 @ 4:08 pm

That is a very interesting question regarding whether or not anyone associated with Harrisburg or PSU will have the cajones to strip Spanier of his hefty pension. Of course I wonder why no one ever asked more about our governor’s potential guilt since he was the AG during all of this.

Comment by JD 06.18.12 @ 4:16 pm

Spindler – not to defend Spanier but those health benefits and pension were contractual arrangements between the BOT and Spanier and PSU would have to go to court to break that contract – unless they had a morals clause in it in the first place.

Almost any retirement is like that. For instance the Coast Guard can take my pension away only if I am incarcerated for over 60 days sequentially but then only until I am 65 years old.

After age 65 I am not subject to active duty recall and can only have my pension taken away if I am convicted of a treason felonies under US Code 5-8321….

But basically it is untouchable as pensions should be.

Comment by Reed 06.18.12 @ 5:44 pm

Can you imagine the anguish of the single moms who encouraged their sons to develop a relationship with Sandusky so they would have the benefit of a father figure in their lives? Actions don’t just speak louder than words, they speak way louder than words. If PSU really wants to show how sorry they are they should close up shop, bulldoze all of the buildings, and salt the earth in Happy Valley.

Comment by 66Goat 06.18.12 @ 7:05 pm

That sick pedophile used the Penn State brand to attract vulnerable kids and then the administration chose to protect that brand and the money it brings via football and covered it up. How can they live with themselves knowing what they allowed to happen? The program needs the death penalty because the cult won’t understand the gravity of the legal and moral crimes until then. They need to get their priorities straight in life. I hope Poopy Pants is burning in Hell. His legacy was not more important than the innocence of kids. If the NCAA or Feds don’t take action, the civil suits and punitive damages for the plaintiffs will set the program back years. And that’s what they get for creating a money machine without moral compass and running out of control. If Jerry gets off like OJ, I will be preparing for the end of days because God has forsaken us.

Comment by TX Panther 06.18.12 @ 8:40 pm

PSU is a multi-billion dollar corporation that couldn’t let a scandal get in their way. So may people had their lives turned upside down because the top officials of that organization looked the other way on multiple occasions when they knew bad things were happening to kids. Football is not more important than protecting our children and enforcing law. Spanier needs to face the law for his criminal cover up. He was the head of the University and looked the other way.

I often tell people that if this happened at Pitt, I would want anyone involved to be punished and I would understand if the football program was shut down for some time period to help show that football and sports are not more important than everything else.

Comment by dish 06.18.12 @ 10:08 pm

That is the single worst excuse for a newspaper article I have ever read, even for an Op/Ed.

Comment by O-Fries 06.18.12 @ 10:34 pm

with all the shit that is going on there they still have 11 recruits and 7 of them are 4 star and the rest 3 star
and pitt has one 4 star but rivals rates him a 3 star and a 2 star and a un rated and some 3 stars for a total of 7 why are they kicking are ass on recruting i dont get it.

Comment by FRANKCAN 06.18.12 @ 11:11 pm

A lot of the attention in these comments regards Spanner’s role and appropriate punishment. Rightfully so. Now what about the BOT (Spanner worked for them), the Governor and the Legislature (at least significant numbers of powerful members)? Yeesh! Where does it stop! Holding the various responsible parties accountable is very difficult but a strong effort must be made. Even those who were no more than enablers need to at least get a very strong message.

There are really two problems: One is the football program and its coach being allowed to function without normal instutional accountability. The second and possibly primary is the self serving instutional culture that apparently developed over many years at PSU involving at times secrecy, projection of a positive and idealized image and protection and enhancement of this image and PSU’s reputation as primary goals. We now see that these came at terrible cost. That is what can happen in any organization when accountability of the organization to larger societial norms is trivalized (we saw it in investment banking) and when accountability within the organization is overlooked.

Even though I like the rest of you am a loyal Pitt supporter. I hope this all gets fixed and Penn State is ultimately honestly regarded as a high quality university (ok, possibly second among state universities in PA only to Pitt), one that learned many painful lessons. It is in all our interests that PS is a quality school.

Comment by opfim 06.18.12 @ 11:16 pm

Opfim:

Superb analysis. Send it to the concerned parties. One of them is bound to read it. Hopefully, your succinct message will resonate and trigger something more than the collective sigh and admonishment that this is a “shame”.

Before he stepped in and took action, I called Corbetts office and spoke to his staff and let them know that true leadership was required since it was clear no one in State College had any leadership skills and even less courage.

2 days later, the Governor stepped in. Was it my call to his office that did the trick? Yes. Mine and hundreds if not thousands of others. Send it. Shit like this can’t be allowed to happen ever again.

Comment by SFPitt 06.19.12 @ 5:17 am

Like many of you, my first instinct was to say shut down the state penn program for at least one year, maybe more. Then I thought about it and who does that really punish?? the players there now that were in grade school when this stuff went down, the fans and alumni who had nothing to do with the scandal. My suggestion would be to donate ALL proceeds from the 2012 football season to real charitable organizations that help youth in the state. Thats not a small percentage of the money, I mean all of it, every dime!

Comment by Coach Ditka 06.19.12 @ 6:39 am

@ Cach Ditka
So who does that “punish?” PSU’s non-revenue sports that depend on excess football money for their equipment, coaches salaries, and travel costs. The only other sport at PSU that turns a profit is women’s Volleyball.

There are a lot of armchair heroes on here making broad assumptions about things like “PSU’s motivations” and vague entities like “the administration.” Give the program the death penalty to teach “the cult” a lesson? How absurd! Football fans are not on trial; Sandusky is. Others may also be charged later on, but let the justice system run it’s course.

Hail to Pitt.

Comment by Kyle 06.19.12 @ 7:27 pm

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