Should Penn St. Get the Death Penalty

[EastStang]

No death penalty for PSU. Not sure there is an NCAA rule for covering up for a pervert coach molesting young children. Also, PSU (because they were untouchable no pun intended) has never been on probation for NCAA rules violations and has had good graduation rates. So, they won't get the death penalty under NCAA criteria. Hopefully though, this sad incident will make the NCAA and colleges and Universities look closely at how to prevent this type of tragedy in the future. I also note that Freeh's report sort of threw everyone under the bus except of course his boss the University. A large judgment against PSU with attendant punitive damages would have a better effect of perhaps making Universities realize that covering up this thing only makes the damages larger. So, keep the program going, they'll need it to pay the victims. And as we all remember, the players who started at the University would have to leave in a DP situation and transfer to other schools, which is not that great for them either.

[austinponie]

DP would be a reach here as the intent was not to gain an unfair advantage on the gridiron. Criminal prosecution absolutely. No DP.

I'd argue that the cover-up was to maintain an advantage on the playing field...

And repeatedly doing it...

Not to mince words, but in my opinion, the case is there...

[soccermom]

DP would be a reach here as the intent was not to gain an unfair advantage on the gridiron. Criminal prosecution absolutely. No DP.

I'd argue that the cover-up was to maintain an advantage on the playing field...

Absolutely...they were protecting their reputation and program. Had this been made public it, hopefully, would have made players/their parents think twice before going there. This is beyond sick and hopefully all of those who covered it up, will be neighbors of Sandusky!

[RyanSMU98]

Do the current rules under Lack of Institutional Control include penalties that include shutting down a program for a period of time? I know it is expressly spelled out in the Repeat Violators rule, but can't find anything that specific under LOIC. If Repeat Violators is the only bylaw that allows for the DP, then it wouldn't apply here since they were not on probation for a major violation in the last five years. That said, I think between the criminal and civil judgements that are about to be unleashed on the individuals involved and PSU as a whole, the school would actually consider just shutting down the program for two years a blessing. I had read somewhere that it was estimated that PSU could lose upward of 50% of their total endowment in civil suits; regardless of what the NCAA decides to do to them, they will justifiably be in a world of hurt as an institution when all is said and done.

[Digetydog]

No.

We got the DP when I was an undergraduate at school. Although nobody gave me any cash, I didn't get to go to FB games for 2 years. My senior year, I got to watch us get demolished by everyone. As far as I can tell, the only people who suffered were the students. I don't think any school should suffer the DP.

Having said that, the combination of PSU fandom's "holier than thou" attitude and outright denial of any blame falling on Pervterno suggests to me that the Football program needs to be penalized. If PSU had any real shame and dignity, they would impose sanctions on themselves.

1) Scholarships - the fans would still be able to go to the games, the kids there would still get to play, and the kids that "lost" PSU scholarships would end up somewhere else.

2) Bowl/Championship Games - if they show up to a bowl game after this season, it will be a disgrace.

3) Home Games - I doubt anyone will have the balls to do it, but I think that they should be forced to play all their games on the road and/or a neutral field.

[DiamondM75]

I think they should have to play Rice.

Can you imagine what the MOB could do with this material?

[EastStang]

Death penalty and then play Rice. Have to deal with the MOB and lose to them in the same year would be intolerable for any Happy Valley faithful.

[ponyte]

Some more familiar with NCAA rules can correct but I don't think there is any restriction on banging a 10 year old boy in the team shower. In fact the NCAA doesn't care where the little boys are buggered.

So no DP. It isn't even an issue. Criminal actions, such as those at OU in the 80s, are just peachy with the NCAA.

Now if Samdusky has bought any of the kids he raped a burger and the kid became a prospective athlete, then the NCAA would have issues.

[Mexmustang]

If a program is willing to allow repeated "raping" of small children to protect the coaches, the football program and the school, there must be alot more "garbage" we don't know of. If I was in charge, they would forfeit all games the pervert was involved with, give back all bowl income, be removed from the Big Ten and given a two year sentence. At first, I thought this was not about football, but it is all about football, recruiting, and image. He retired, he got preferential tickets, had complete access to the university and the athletic facilities and his own office--come on, they did nothing but allow him the venue to practice his sordid affairs!

[Topper]

DP would be a reach here as the intent was not to gain an unfair advantage on the gridiron. Criminal prosecution absolutely. No DP.

That is my understanding also. I can't figure out a direct correlation between the disgusting behavior and the Lions gaining an edge on the field.

[bubba pony]

The football advantage was clearly known to the PSU leadership, that by not reporting the rapes, they were able to continue to recruit players, sell tickets, and make money. The NCAA will huff and puff and do nothing more than a toothless reprimand.

[AusTxPony]

The NCAA needs to act. I think No Bowls, No Championships, and reductions in football scholarships for 5 years. No distribution money from their conference during the penalty phase. The school should be hurt financially in a significant way without terminating football. Let any player transfer out without sitting for a year. After listening to Freeh on the news, a major penalty must be applied. Five people in positions of power knew of this and allowed it to continue. One year for each of them. Penn State profited while those kids suffered. Make 'em pay heavily.

[westexSMU]

I think it is possible the NCAA will be forced to take action and possibly give PSU the death penalty because of the outrage of the whole country. As already stated above, there is no question their own report condemns the school's leadership. What action will the big 10 take ? What action will Penn State take besides trying to settle with the rape victims ? Some other self imposed penalties by PSU is appropriate before the NCAA gets more involved.

[couch 'em]

NCAA will act when it comes out that Second Mile existed to help hide/funnel money for buying players.

Why would Paterno et al take on so much risk unless Sandusky had something on Paterno?

[Pony4Life]

Maybe it's because I hated Penn State before it became State Penn, but if all of this was done to protect the school's reputation, Paterno's reputation or merely to protect victories, then hell yes — shut it down. Death Penalty.

And strip those victories during those years. No way Paterno should be recognized as having won more games than Eddie Robinson or Bobby Bowden (or any other coach, for that matter).