The NCAA just lowered the boom on Penn State. Sixty million dollar fine, 4 year bowl ban, all 1998-2001 wins vacated, and a reduction of 20 scholarships per year for four years [src]. For some reason, it feels too soft, too harsh, and just right all at the same time.
The $60 million fine, post-season ban, and scholarship reductions feel just about right. The University, the "system" that is responsible for the coverup of these horrendous, perverse actions will suffer massive, mainly financial, losses. We're hearing about decommits from football recruits, and I wouldn't be surprised if general enrollment plummets these next few years. It may be a long, long time before PSU as a university as a whole recovers from this.
The vacation of wins from 1998-2011, 112 wins in total including six bowl wins and two conference championships, seems a bit harsh. The intent of the vacation is clear - it's a straight shot at Joe Pa's win record, dropping him from first in wins to 12th. This aim at Joe Pa is warranted, but hugely unfair to the players that played in those 14 seasons, who had nothing to do with the coverup. It's unfair to the fans, who witnessed the wins first hand. I've always been a big opponent of vacating wins, as it's completely retroactive. If there's one thing this whole Sandusky/Paterno fiasco has taught us, it's that you can't change the past, which I think the NCAA is trying to do.
But for some reason, this all still doesn't feel like enough. The people really responsible for this haven't received their due punishment. Joe Paterno has the refuge of being dead, Sandusky is still alive in some prison somewhere, and others responsible for the coverup haven't even charged criminally yet. There's part of me that wants so bad for Joe Pa to be alive to face the music, to take the stand, to suffer further public humiliation for his failures. The taking down of the statue isn't enough. The renaming of the library (which hasn't happened yet) isn't enough. And let's not even get started on Sandusky. Lifetime in prison for him isn't enough. Execution even seems merciful for the man who raped little boys and made them perform oral sex on him. My stomach turns just at the thought of it.
These sanctions are a good start, but I can't help but feel like justice hasn't yet been served, that the students and former players are being punished too harshly while Paterno, Sandusky, and the others involved in the coverup aren't being punished enough.
Justice can never be fully dished out in this life. We can take comfort in knowing that Paterno and Sandusky will one day have to answer to their Maker, and will have to answer the God of heaven and earth, Righteous Judge, the Creator of the broken little boys, face to face. Thank God He is a God of Justice.
I've heard a comment before (probably on SC haha): "Joe Pa was once remembered for excellent coaching, #1 wins, admirable leadership...no more...this is what he'll be remembered for." (or something like that...) His name will forever be tainted.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the penalties for the players and past players are totally unfair. What did they ever do to deserve it? I think the scholarships is harsh too...It's just going to be a long time when PSU will recover...
I just think the punishments should have been harsh in some way for the criminals, not the U as a whole. It seems way too harsh on the people who took no part in the horrendous acts. But I guess NCAA has to consider the integrity of college football and sent a warning that this sort of thing will NEVER be tolerated. Also goes to show that with great leadership and power comes great responsibility. Luke 12:48.
Sorry PSU...
Yeah, I agree that it seems both harsh and not enough at the same time, but probably would land on the latter. Sure I feel bad for the players and others who went about their business without knowing, yet when the rumors first surfaced, there was such a monumental failure of leadership going all the way to the top of the university's hierarchy... Proves just how devestating sin is, and the collateral damage it brings.
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