NCAA President Mark Emmert used the equivalent of the "best interest of baseball" clause- defending the Constitution of the organization outright in handing down the penalties in light of the actions of Penn State before, during, and after the Jerry Sandusky scandal enveloped campus.
Here's what they decided...
A fine of $60-million funds to establish and endowment - one year's gross football revenue... even as Darren Rovell reports revenue at $73-million. The fine is payable over a five-year period.
A scholarship reduction of 25 to 15 for 4 years- while allowing students to transfer and compete immediately if they so choose. Athletes who stay in State College will retain athletic grant in aid as long as they choose to stay on campus... and regardless as to whether or not they ultimately choose to stay on as an athlete.
A post-season ban of 4 years
The NCAA vacates all wins from 1998-2011- the records will reflect that. Bobby Bowden is now the FBS leader, Eddie Robinson is the FCS leader, and John Gagliardi is the NCAA leader.
5 years probation and the establishment of an "Academy integrity monitor"
The NCAA also reserves the right to initiate sanctions on individuals after criminal investigation is completed...
The NCAA is also telling Penn State to adopt reforms from Freeh Report, and enter into Athletic Integrity Agreement with the Big 10 and the NCAA
Emmert and Dr. Ed Ray, President of Oregon State and Executive Committe Chair, were available at NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis.
Ray said before Emmert spoke that we all "should focus on the people who let them down." He also said the NCAA has the authority and the responsibility to do what was done today, and the actions of Penn State were "against our value system and basic human decency."
The Executive Committee directed President Emmert to examine, and if appropriate, level punitive and corrective measures. They're taking the criminal investigation and Freeh report into account and the leadership of the school displayed failures that directly violated by-laws and the NCAA Constitution in regard to integrity and ethical conduct.
"It is a stark wake-up call," Ray admitted, "and the idea is to adhere to the fundamental values of respect."
Emmert said that the consent decree, signed by the NCAA and the school, doesn't remove the pain and anguish caused and the sanctions reflect the magnitude of the acts, and "ensure that Penn State rebuild an athletic culture that went horribly awry."
The idea is also to establish a mindset where football is not ahead of an entire school's behavior...
Here's the NCAA release in full...
Emmert told the media assembled that this "unprecedented, painful chapter in collegiate athletics..."
More when we know more... there is a team meeting scheduled for 10AM...
Emmert also admitted that the $60-million is not to come at the expense of the other revenue sports, but not to come from the academic side, either.
1000 UPDATE: Penn State President Rodney Erickson released a statement that says in part...
Against this backdrop, Penn State accepts the penalties and corrective actions announced today by the NCAA. With today’s announcement and the action it requires of us, the University takes a significant step forward.
The NCAA ruling holds the University accountable for the failure of those in power to protect children and insists that all areas of the University community are held to the same high standards of honesty and integrity.
The NCAA also mandates that Penn State become a national leader to help victims of child sexual assault and to promote awareness across our nation. Specifically, the University will pay $12 million a year for the next five years into a special endowment created to fund programs for the detection, prevention and treatment of child abuse. This total of $60 million can never reduce the pain suffered by victims, but will help provide them hope and healing.
Current Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien issued a statement that said:
Today we receive a very harsh penalty from the NCAA and as Head Coach of the Nittany Lions football program, I will do everything in my power to not only comply, but help guide the University forward to become a national leader in ethics, compliance and operational excellence. I knew when I accepted the position that there would be tough times ahead. But I am committed for the long term to Penn State and our student athletes.
I was then and I remain convinced that our student athletes are the best in the country. I could not be more proud to lead this team and these courageous and humble young men into the upcoming 2012 season. Together we are committed to building a better athletic program and university.
Here's the early part of the announcement, thanks to our friends at WHP-TV in Harrisburg...
1100 UPDATE: The Big Ten Conference is piling on with their own sanctions...
The Big Ten is withholding bowl revenue, expected to amount to a $13-million total for the four years of probation. The Big Ten is saying the money will go to "established charitable organizations in Big Ten communities dedicated to the protection of children."
Sally Mason, Chairman of the Big Ten council of Presidents and Chancellors, and Jim Delany, Big 10 Commissioner, held a teleconference where they announced a censure of the school, will be party to the academic integrity agreement with the NCAA, will not allow the team to be in the Big 10 conference title game, and announced the withholding of the bowl revenue.
A public censure of Penn State by the Big Ten means that the school has no say in any part of conference policy.
Mason admitted that discussions on Penn State were all over the place and "everything was on the table and everything was discussed"- including expulsion from the conference.
Commissioner Delany addressed the idea of member schools accepting internal transfers from Penn State and admitted those students "needed to be prioritized" and they needed to have the most freedom and flexibility for those particular students.
Big Ten Network's Mike Hall caught up with Tom Dienhart
More when we know more...
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