Wow...okay, Penn State must have a serious amount of money tucked away in its coffers.
The school announced Monday morning, they've reached settlements with 26 of the 32 people who made sexual abuse allegations against former Assistant Football coach Jerry Sandusky. Payments for those settlements according to the school--$59.7 million.
Penn State was quick to make clear the money would not come from tuition, taxpayer funds or donations, but rather a variety of insurance policies and other self-sufficient sources.
From the school's press release:"The Board of Trustees has had as one of its primary objectives to reach settlements in a way that is fair and respects the privacy of the individuals involved,” said Keith Masser, chair of the Board of Trustees. "This is another important milestone in accomplishing that goal. I would like to thank the board’s Legal and Compliance Committee, as well as its Legal Subcommittee for its leadership throughout this process.” University President Rodney Erickson added; “We hope this is another step forward in the healing process for those hurt by Mr. Sandusky, and another step forward for Penn State. We cannot undo what has been done, but we can and must do everything possible to learn from this and ensure it never happens again at Penn State.”
Per multiple reports, part of the agreement has a confidentiality clause in it. That clause would not allow the victims or family members to disclose how much they received from the school.
In many ways, this ties up most of the loose ends in the 2009/10/11 case that saw the Nittany Lions former defensive coordinator arrested and charged with multiple cases of child sexual molestation, publicly humiliating the school and many of it's legends. Sandusky is in jail, where it appears he'll be for a very long time, the school administrators involved are no longer with the school.
No doubt the people of Happy Valley will be happy the saga has almost ended. The only curveball would be if Sandusky appeals his sentence.
Judge John Cleland issued the sentence of 30-60 years in jail on 45 counts of child sexual abuse, as Jerry Sandusky was convicted of molesting 10 boys over a 15-year period and using a charity he established as nothing less than a front for continuing his abuse and enacting consistent betrayal on minors. It had been three months after a jury convicted him on the charges
Sandusky maintains his innocence, says he is not a monster and says he didn't do the "alleged disgusting acts." The appeals process is going to start in the next few weeks...
Penn State President Rodney Erickson released the following statement:
"Our thoughts today, as they have been for the last year, go out to the victims of Jerry Sandusky’s abuse. While today’s sentence cannot erase what has happened, hopefully it will provide comfort to those affected by these horrible events and help them continue down the road to recovery."
The university still intends to settle with victims in a timely manner- as they well should...
Sandusky read a statement in open court:
“I feel a need to talk not from arrogance but from the heart. I did not do these disgusting acts. As I began to relive everything, it was a terrible feeling and my eyes filled with tears. Maybe some children who might have been abused will not be because of the publicity. The pain continues when I think about the people who’ve made the allegations. I’ve been confined to a small room. There are outbursts in the jail.”
“I told Dottie, ‘We’re definitely in the fourth quarter.’ Those who still believe in us are the only ones who matter. Not being able to hug my grandchildren, not being able to play with the dog. Yet, I get letters of support. I see family and friends, I see special inmates who smile at me."
In response at the sentencing hearing, some of the victims and their family representatives gave statements as well, from KDKA-TV:
Several of the victims gave statements during the hearing:
Victim No. 9’s mother:
“I have had to endure my son’s suicide attempts all because of you. You’ve destroyed my family and I can never forgive you of that. Shame on you. Shame on you Mr. Sandusky,” she said.
Victim No. 1:
“There are no words to describe the pain and misery Jerry Sandusky has inflicted on my life. There are thoughts I didn’t want to think. I have been looking over my shoulder for a long time. There is no remorse in Jerry Sandusky, only evil.”
Victim No. 4:
“Rather than take accountability for your actions, you attacked us as though we did something wrong. I will never forgive you. I was in a troubled situation and you made it worse.”
Victim No. 5:
“He forcibly had me touch him. I am troubled with flashbacks of his naked body. I am tormented by nightmares and guilt. I will never erase the filthy images, but he must pay for his crimes. He took away my childhood the day he assaulted me. He should be sentenced accordingly.”
Victim No. 6:
“My personality changed for the worst. That night you called yourself the tickle monster so you could touch my 11-year-old body, has damaged me for life. The Bible says if we confess our sins he will forgive us. You are trying to speak forth your innocence. You are only fooling yourself. You won’t be able to receive forgiveness.”
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...
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...
Reports out of Happy Valley, PA indicate that Penn State and it's Board of Trustees have made the decision to take down the statue of former Head Coach and current NCAA all-time victory leader Joe Paterno.
The decision comes on the heels of the Louis Freeh report which indicated Paterno was heavily involved in what appears to be a coverup to protect convicted child molestor and former top assistant Jerry Sandusky over the course of many years.
Unversity President Rodney Erickson released a statement early Sunday morning on the school's News Website.
Why we are not surprised by the decision to do this, the timing is, to say the least...curious. School officials, after denying for days this was going to happen, waited until the dawn hours of Sunday morning to actually do it.
Really, it isn't a huge surprise and we think most knew it was coming. Why else would so many people, including the Paterno family make the trip to take pictures with the statue late this week.
But Penn State being Penn State just couldn't come out and say they would do it. Rather, they just waited and tried to sneak it in...maybe thinking nobody would notice.
Penn State president Rod Erickson said he decided to have the statue of Joe Paterno removed because it "has become a source of division and an obstacle to healing."
"I believe that, were it to remain, the statue will be a recurring wound to the multitude of individuals across the nation and beyond who have been the victims of child abuse," Erickson said in a statement released early Sunday morning.
Here's your proof as the statue heads to storage...
((HT: ESPN))
Paterno's name will stay on the library, according to Davidson, "symbolizes the substantial and lasting contributions to the academic life and educational excellence that the Paterno family has made to Penn State University."
Now, the HQ will be interested to see how the folks in Happy Valley respond...
Oh boy. The NCAA has officially informed the administration at Penn State that they will conduct an investigation of what happened in the Jerry Sandusky/child-sex scandal. And they are using the words "Institutional Control".
By now, we are all familiar with the Sandusky scandal where he is charged with some 40 counts of serial child sex abuse.
And it appears, based on the Grand Jury report and other reports, that the abuse may have been preventable. That includes some inferences that Penn State may have deliberately covered it up.
PennLive.com provides a copy of the letter RIGHT HERE
NCAA President Mark Emmert sent a registered letter to the school's interim president Rodney Erickson. In that letter Emmert tells Erickson that the NCAA will not interfere with the ongoing investigations, but will look into the schools response and handling of the issues at hand.
Emmert goes on to quote the potential violations of NCAA bylaws and requests the school to provide information on their response to what was happening. Of particular concern to him is the behaviors and failures of the institution that are spelled out in the Grand Jury report.
He finishes by adding that the schools report on what they did should be submitted to the NCAA no later than December 16th for the organization to then determine the next steps.
This...isn't good. But it was, we suppose, just a matter of time. If found negligent in their response to what was happening, the "Institutional Control" charge could be a very serious one. The NCAA has some leeway in how they administer that, but it could be yet another piece adding to the pile that is the problem the school created.
