I have posted several times regarding this, and I believe the NCAA has every right (and responsibility) to impose sanctions on PSU.
As I have said previously, Sandusky could have murdered a nun on the fifty yard line and PSU would have skated as long as they reported it to the police.
The highest officials at PSU were made aware of Sandusky’s horrifying transgressions over a decade ago, and allowed more children to be victimized to preserve the standing of their beloved football program.
In the NCAA bylaws, section 2.4 Principle of Sportsmanship and Ethics states in no uncertain terms that member organizations must promote conditions advancing values such as civility and morality even off the playing field. I think we can all agree PSU failed to adhere to that particular bylaw.
Essentially, the NCAA is not penalizing PSU for Sandusky’s crime. They are penalizing PSU for the institutional disregard for basic NCAA tenets.
The SCOTUS held in the Tarkanian case that the NCAA is not a state actor and therefore not subject to due process requirements under the 14th.
But if Sandusky had murdered someone would we be asking the NCAA to impose ‘fines’ on the school for it?
This was criminal activity.
Just because he was part of the football program and he did these things while working for the football program does not mean it comes under the jurisdiction of the NCAA.
Agreed.
As a Oklahoma Sooners fan, I find it interesting that the coach who said he wouldn’t retire because: “It would leave college football in the hands of the Jackie Sherrills and Barry Switzers”. Paterno denied that he was calling them ‘cheaters’ and said he meant their attitude that winning trumped all else.