The NCAA announced Monday morning the sanctions against Penn State University, which includes a $60 million fine, a four-year football postseason ban and a vacation of all wins dating back to 1998. The University must also reduce a total of 20 scholarships each year for a four-year period, according to the organization.
“No price the NCAA can levy will repair the damage inflicted by Jerry Sandusky on his victims,” NCAA President, Mark Emmert said, referring to the former Penn State defensive coordinator who was convicted of 45 counts of child sex abuse last month.
The announcement comes a day after the removal Joe Paterno’s statue outside Beaver stadium. Paterno, along with three other administrators at Penn State, was found to have concealed child abuse allegations made against Sandusky.
The fine of $60 million is said to be equivalent to the average annual revenue of the football program and is to be paid to external programs benefiting child abuse victims. None of the money is to be used to fund programs at the University.
“The purpose of the NCAA is to keep a level playing field among schools and to make sure they use proper methods through scholarships and etcetera,” Chairman of the NCAA’s executive committee, Ed Ray said. “This is not a case that would normally go through the process. It has nothing to do with a level playing field. It has nothing to do with whether Penn State gets advantages over other schools in recruiting or in the number of coaches or things that we normally deal with.”
The leaders at the school “repeatedly concealed critical facts relating to Sandusky’s child abuse from authorities, the university’s board of trustees, the Penn State community and the public at large”, according to the report that was conducted by former FBI director Louis J. Freeh.
Sandusky is currently awaiting sentencing after being convicted last month of sexually abusing 10 boys over a 15-year period.
Paterno won 409 games for the school in his 46 seasons as head coach.
Now the question remains are these sanctions against the school too harsh or was it not enough? It seems the fans’ opinions are split, with some saying that the decision isn’t harsh enough and suggests the school shut down the football program. While other fans argue that’s its not fair to punish past, current and future football players that played no part in the child abuse cover up.
What do you think? Leave your comments and opinions below.
Have A Question? Ask Jessica!
[wpaicg_chatgpt]
