Joseph Vincent Paterno, is a legendary college football coach. He coached the Penn State Nittany Lions for 46 years and holds the record for most victories out of any Division I football coach. The Big Ten even decided to name it's championship trophy in his honor. However, all the fuzzy feelings about Coach Paterno and his exceptional career came to an abrupt halt in November 2011 when he was fired mid-season, after one of his prior assistants, Jerry Sandusky, was accused of sexually abusing boys.
According to ESPN.com, Paterno apparently claims that he told athletic director, Tim Curley, and university vice president, Gary Schultz, about an alleged sexual assault by the former defensive coordinator. The coach apparently felt that fulfilled his obligations as a supervisor. But this explanation did not sit well with the media or public given the gravity of the accusations against Sandusky.
Sanduky is accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy in the showers of the Penn State’s football complex. Consequently, their is little sympathy for Joe Paterno who apparently did not go to the police or any other authoritative personnel about the incident. The coach's son, Scott Paterno, apparently told the Philadelphia Inquirer that his father never asked Sandusky about the alleged sexual assault. Assistant coach, Mike McQueary, apparently told a Grand Jury he witnessed Jerry Sandusky sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy in the showers of the football complex.
The most efficient decision for Penn State would have been if Paterno had offered to resign immediately. Instead, Paterno offered to retire at the end of the season, which resulted in Penn State officials firing him immediately with no reimbursement. The dismissal originally prompted many students to gather near the campus chanting “We want Joe,” as stated by NFL.com. Witnesses said the students knocked over a van and lamppost, were throwing bottles and rocks.However, once students learned of the facts and the alleged victims plight, the protests stopped.
In the end, Joe Paterno was fired because he did too little. He didn't call the police and he failed to make sure the people he told about the incident took care of the situation. Nils Hagen-Frederiksen, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office, told ABC News that Joe Paterno is a cooperating witness who testified and provided a truthful testimony. However, the spokesperson also told ABC News that two others may have committed perjury before the grand jury. These individuals legal expenses will likely be reimbursed by Penn State. As if the cost of education is not high enough. One wonders just how much of the expense of such inappropriate behavior will become a burden on students paying tuition.
The most efficient decision for Penn State would have been if Paterno had offered to resign immediately. Instead, Paterno offered to retire at the end of the season, which resulted in Penn State officials firing him immediately with no reimbursement. The dismissal originally prompted many students to gather near the campus chanting “We want Joe,” as stated by NFL.com. Witnesses said the students knocked over a van and lamppost, were throwing bottles and rocks.However, once students learned of the facts and the alleged victims plight, the protests stopped.
In the end, Joe Paterno was fired because he did too little. He didn't call the police and he failed to make sure the people he told about the incident took care of the situation. Nils Hagen-Frederiksen, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office, told ABC News that Joe Paterno is a cooperating witness who testified and provided a truthful testimony. However, the spokesperson also told ABC News that two others may have committed perjury before the grand jury. These individuals legal expenses will likely be reimbursed by Penn State. As if the cost of education is not high enough. One wonders just how much of the expense of such inappropriate behavior will become a burden on students paying tuition.
(Elaine Hirsch writes articles as a guest blogger and for online degree programs. A link to such a program can be found here: LINK.)
Update 12-7-11: Jerry Sandusky is in a Pennsylvania county jail after being unable to post $250,000 bail in cash. Sandusky faces new charges based on the testimony of two new accusers. There are not 10 total accusers. He already faced 40 counts of child sex abuse involving eight young boys over a 15-year span. Sandusky lawyer Joseph Amendola claims his client is innocent. Sandusky and all involved are to be presumed innocent unless otherwise proven in a court of law.Update 1-22-12: Joe Paterno died today. He was 85.
Update 6-18-12: Sandusky is on trial. See the 6-18-12 thread on Sandusky.
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11 comments:
The old turn a blind eye as long as we are winning and the public has no clue policy, eh?
Paterno is just real old. Not sure he really knew all that was involved.
In any event, what a horrible way to ruin someone's long distinguished career.
Update 12-7-11: Jerry Sandusky is in a Pennsylvania county jail after being unable to post $250,000 bail in cash. Sandusky faces new charges based on the testimony of two new accusers. There are not 10 total accusers. He already faced 40 counts of child sex abuse involving eight young boys over a 15-year span. Sandusky lawyer Joseph Amendola claims his client is innocent. Sandusky and all involved are to be presumed innocent unless otherwise proven in a court of law.
This is really messed up. I don’t understand how he got away with it for so long. I guess it would parallel the Catholic Church abuse where parents choose not to believe their children, as the person they were accusing was a pillar to the community.
A few weeks ago I heard a tape recording of Sandusky wife on one of the network news shows talking to one of the victims, and it is apparent that she was aware of his problem.
So…if she knew and did not report him, is she not just as guilty as Coach Paterno ? Or maybe more so since she was even more aware and for a longer time?
Didn't know about the wife knowing. Not sure she has anything but a moral obligation. I think there is spousal immunity... spouse can't be fored to testify against her mate in some jurisdictions.
This football scandel apparently put a sour taste in the mouth of many young football fans.
...expect ticket sales to fall.
Sandusky comes off in the press as a sick, dirty old man.
Joe pa can't be blamed for sanduski's sins
Joe Paterno died today. He was 85.
May all the negativity die with Joe Pa's passing.
We have lost a living legend, now he is but a legend. As his family said, he fought hard until the end.
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