Linebackers Are Jerry Sandusky's Business, But Not His Only Business
Dec. 6, 1982
"Sandusky and his wife, Dottie, who couldn't have children of their own, adopted a son in 1969. Since then they have adopted four more children—current ages five through 19—and have helped raise three foster children. For a time they were a host family each summer for children placed by the Fresh Air Fund of New York City. "After we had taken in some foster children," says Dottie, "we saw the opportunities that some kids just hadn't had. But we'd gotten to the point where we couldn't take in any more, so Jerry started thinking about starting a group home. The book seemed like a good opportunity to get it off the ground." (Since Developing Linebackers was published in 1981, it has netted about $15,000.)"
"The Sanduskys incorporated The Second Mile in 1977. With legal help donated by a Penn State professor, they were granted tax-exempt status, and by 1980 they had raised enough money, $64,000, to buy 20 acres of farmland two miles from Beaver Stadium. Several businesses agreed to chip in the supplies for building a house, and a local contractor agreed to build it for the cost of his labor."
Houseparents were hired last spring, and The Second Mile should have its full complement of six boys by early winter. With luck, says Ron Coder, the executive director of the home, another will be started in three years. "Naive me," says Sandusky, "sitting back there five years ago saying, 'We're going to start a group home.' If I'd sat down then and said, 'It's going to take this and that, and this many people will have to be involved,' I probably wouldn't have done it. The toughest thing has been selling something that didn't exist. I think it will be easier now that we can say, 'Look, there it is: a home and a family for six kids who didn't have either one.' "
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1126185/1/index.htm
1988: Jerry Sandusky Says Second Mile A MAJOR Reason In Turning Down Temple
Via Jerry’s hometown newspaper, the Observer-Reporter – Dec. 21, 1988:
“From my standpoint the options were very attractive. With the option of staying at Penn State there are so many things here. There’s the university, the football program, the community, everything that I’m involved with in working with kids. Those are meaningful parts of my life.”
Sandusky admitted his community commitments, including The Second Mile home for troubled youths and a rapidly growing foster parents program, played a major factor in his decision. His parents, Art and Evie Sandusky, moved to State College nearly two years ago to help Jerry in the administration of those programs.
(no link)
Only one job for Sandusky // He wants to succeed Paterno
Patriot-News, The (Harrisburg, PA) - Sunday, December 29, 1991
Author: Ronnie Christ, Patriot News
TEMPE, Arizona When Jerry Sandusky said no to Maryland, he did more than turn down another head football coaching job.
The Penn State defensive coordinator was actually saying the only head coaching position he really wants is to succeed Joe Paterno.
There are no assurances that Sandusky will get the Penn State job when Paterno finally does step down in about five years.
Yesterday, during workouts here for Penn State’s Jan. 1 Fiesta Bowl clash with Tennessee, Sandusky went on record as the first candidate of the future.
“I’d love to be a head coach,” he said. “I’d love to be a head coach at Penn State.
“As far as the Maryland situation, it’s funny, because a few years ago I said that if I did leave, the Maryland job was one that appealed to me.
“I even put together a plan I thought they needed to be successful. When their athletic director talked to me, I thought about it for two days and decided to stay here.”
Sandusky has turned down a number of jobs over the years. His ties to Penn State and to the Second Mile , which he founded, have always kept him on Paterno’s staff.
The Second Mile provides housing and guidence for young kids in trouble.
“I’ve talked to Joe numerous times, and he’s told me to do whatever I want to do and he would support me. It seems emotion always plays a part in my decisions.
“When word got out that I might leave, one of the kids in the program called me. He wasn’t concerned about me. He was worried that our camp programs was going to end.
“I have a lot of challenges in my life in terms of trying to do a job for our defense and continuing the programs for The Second Mile .
“Although it was exciting to put together something like that for Maryland, I guess it comes down to I like what I’m doing and I don’t want to risk giving that up.”
Sandusky earned three letters as a defensive end at Penn State, where he graduated first in his class and earned a master’s degree in health and physical eductation.
He coached at Juniata and Boston University before returning to his alma mater in 1969. He will be 51 when Paterno is slated to step down in 1996.
Will he still want the job five or maybe even 10 years from now?
Sandusky answered with a laugh, “Well, there’s a mandatory retirement in the state of Pennsylvania. I may be retired before he [Paterno] does.
“There’s no assurance of that. You have to live with that possibility. Obviously, I’ve dreamed about doing that.
“There were no assurances at Maryland, either. I want to do what I’m doing as well as I can do it and whatever happens, happens.”
(snip)