Paterno is History !!!

[donaldcc]

 
  Have been following the Sandusky scandal pretty closely.  One of my best buddies was at Penn State many years ago and I have followed them for decades.   These shocking revelations should cause Penn State to clean house.

Here is the Grand Jury Report

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/documents/sandusky-grand-jury-report11052011.html

  I have been a fan of Joe Pa but this is his end.  He is an old fart (84) who is the longest tenured employee of the university and the highest paid employee.  He brings in billions in donations.  His graduate assistant caught Sandusky defiling a 10 yo in shower in 2002 and reported to Joe.  Joe turned it over to the "higher ups" and says he did his part.  Sandusky was defensive coordinator for I don't know 25 years.  Serial pedophile.

Paterno was definitely the guy with power at Penn State.  He embarrassed the school and himself by not making sure this a..hole was crucified.


Joe has to go!!
 

[The Anvil]

Agree 100%. ZERO tolerance for people who injure or harm children and anyone who sees it and does not seek justice.

[PAVALKER]

Joe was going by what he was told.... aka "hearsay" and reported it, from what I have heard.  The individual that saw it first hand should have stopped it, first and foremost, and called the police to come get what was left of the guy.... and then reported it to his boss (which he did).   I think I saw something on the news today that Penn State was working on Joe's exit strategy, after they cancelled Joe's news conference.  Joe is associated with the issue, and for Penn State to recover, they need to clean house.  So even tho Joe was not directly involved .... he is guilty by association and will probably go.

[Jess from VA]

I'd have to read all the 2002 facts about the initial report before deciding on Joe Pa.

He did report it up channel as required.... but what exactly was he told, and what exactly was seen?

If you are told by a reliable witness that your recent Defensive Coordinator (usually the #2 Coach) was seen sodomizing a 10yo, and report it upstream, and then nothing happens, at all, you have to do ...... something more.  

I'm curious about the grad assistant eye witness .... what about him? (What happened to him at Penn State?)

I'd sure like to see Joe Pa finish their season at least, but...

[ricoman]

Joe was going by what he was told.... aka "hearsay" and reported it, from what I have heard.  The individual that saw it first hand should have stopped it, first and foremost, and called the police to come get what was left of the guy.... and then reported it to his boss (which he did).   I think I saw something on the news today that Penn State was working on Joe's exit strategy, after they cancelled Joe's news conference.  Joe is associated with the issue, and for Penn State to recover, they need to clean house.  So even tho Joe was not directly involved .... he is guilty by association and will probably go.

Not "guilty by association", guilty because he did not have the cojones to challenge the perp, or at least check into the allegation.. A serious, mistake. My opinion of him went down the drain.

[donaldcc]

   My understanding is that the graduate asst who witnessed the 10 yo being sodomized in shower by Sandusky was very upset, called his dad from office after seeing the pedophile and went to Joe Pa's house the next day to report what he saw.  Grand Jury found him "very credible" in contrast to higher ups at Penn State.

  He is now asst coach and personal asst to Joe Pa???

   A janitor saw same thing in shower with another boy and Sandusky and told his supervisor but they were afraid to report because they thought they would lose their jobs. 

  Joe Pa dropped the ball!!

[Jess from VA]

In reading the grand jury report, it's clear the what the grad assist saw was watered down, the higher it went... or at least that's what the higher ups are saying.  I think if you see and report sodomy, there can be no mistaking it for some nebulous inappropriate touching.    Horesh!t!!

With this evidence of multiple victims and coercion, I cannot believe they bonded Sandusky out so easily pending trial.  He faces natural life, easily, and the charity he ran made millions (flight risk).  Maybe they hope he'll do the honorable thing.   If not, he will soon have way more man-love than he ever dreamed of.... except now he will be the boy.   

[Bob E.]

As a Penn State grad (1994) and casual fan of the Nittany Lions and JoePa, I really want to believe that there was some valid reason for Joe not following up on the report.  I want to believe he was led to believe that an investigation was being conducted, that something was happening behind the scenes, or that it was looked into and was found to not be true...whatever.  I would hate to believe that he was part of some sort of cover up.  But man, I just don't have a good feeling about any of it.

The timing of Sandusky's retirement is troubling for me...was he quietly forced out because they knew he was bad?  Then there is the fact that he still had access to the campus facilities even when they knew this report was out there and that there was an ongoing grand jury investigation into these allegations. Knowing this was out there, how could they even be associated with Sandusky?

Joe is a legend in college football and has done so much good for the university and the community. Anyone who went there knows that Joe was looked at reverently and placed hit up on a tall pedestal.  It is just so sad to see it all wiped away due to the most dispicable actions of someone else and Joe's apparent lack of judgement in his decision to not contact the police about the situation when it was brought to his attention.  I'm sad for Penn State. I'm sad for those players on the football team.  And I'm sad for Joe.  And if Joe is involved in a cover-up, my sadness turns to disappointment and anger.  And of course, I'm sad for the victims of this really sick POS that molested them and devastated their lives.

Its just a horrible story on so many levels.

[ptgb]

Absolutely sickens me!!!

I had much respect for JoePa and his program until Saturday.

Just because reporting it to his higher ups fulfilled his legal requirement to report it, does not mean he has fulfilled a MORAL duty to make sure it is handled properly RIGHT NOW! A moral person would have reported to his higher up and also informed them that he (Paterno) would be calling the police RIGHT NOW! Paterno then had a duty to deal with Sandusky directly RIGHT NOW! At the minimum, as his boss, to make sure Sandusky doesn't set foot on campus or have access until an investigation is commenced and then completed. Yes, he should have done ALL those things even with the "hearsay" allegation.

It's just a damn shame that 62 years goes down the drain... and a legacy at the level of Bryant, Rockne, and Robinson just goes away; and I don't think time will be kind to JoePA, not for something like this.

Absolutely sickens me!!!

[Tropic traveler]

Sad, very sad.
And we thought Bobby Bowden's "retirement" was messy. 

[Jess from VA]

Paterno then had a duty to deal with Sandusky directly RIGHT NOW! At the minimum, as his boss,

The thing is, when this was reported to Joe, Sandusky was already retired and no longer a coach on his staff, but running a charity (for wayward boys  ) with access to Penn State facilities.    He did report it up his chain administratively (but no one ever called the real cops or prosecutors)...... but how do you hear this story about a 10 yo and do nothing, when nothing happens after your report?  Sandusky did sometime later get banned from Penn State facilities..... BFD~

Under State law, failure to report certain things (varies) to the police is a crime (like if you find a dead body).

[FLAVALK]

Hate to see Joe Pa go out like this. I understand he reported it, but where he went wrong was not reporting it to the cops. It appears he did a  "pass the buck" and then shut up. 

[old2soon]

Hate to see Joe Pa go out like this. I understand he reported it, but where he went wrong was not reporting it to the cops. It appears he did a  "pass the buck" and then shut up. 

   People do this everyday!! It's called C Y A. I DID NOT say it is right or correct. I just said people do this everyday. It is beyond sickening and despicable. Heads should and will roll over this. Put sandusky in general population at any major prison in the country. I give him two months after incarceration to pull his last breath. RIDE SAFE.

[Bob E.]

Sandusky did sometime later get banned from Penn State facilities..... BFD~

Under State law, failure to report certain things (varies) to the police is a crime (like if you trip find a dead body).

As I understand it, he was only banned from bringing young boys on campus...which according to testimony in the grand jury report was essentially unenforceable.  He actually still had access to the facilities and had been working out in the gym as recently as last week.

As to the failure to report, they are saying that at the time, the law was that failure to report was a "summary offense".  It was later raised to the level of a misdemeanor.  The fact is that Curley and the other guy are in more trouble because they lied to the grand jury than they are for failing to report the incident to police.

[donaldcc]

 
  Will wait to see what happens. But Joe Pa is the main guy at Penn State but i think he is past his prime and not intune with everyday transgressions.  But . . .  head guy, and if he is not in control then he should not be there.  He is responsible.   Get rid of him.  

[donaldcc]

As a Penn State grad (1994) and casual fan of the Nittany Lions and JoePa, I really want to believe that there was some valid reason for Joe not following up on the report.  I want to believe he was led to believe that an investigation was being conducted, that something was happening behind the scenes, or that it was looked into and was found to not be true...whatever.  I would hate to believe that he was part of some sort of cover up.  But man, I just don't have a good feeling about any of it.

The timing of Sandusky's retirement is troubling for me...was he quietly forced out because they knew he was bad?  Then there is the fact that he still had access to the campus facilities even when they knew this report was out there and that there was an ongoing grand jury investigation into these allegations. Knowing this was out there, how could they even be associated with Sandusky?

Joe is a legend in college football and has done so much good for the university and the community. Anyone who went there knows that Joe was looked at reverently and placed hit up on a tall pedestal.  It is just so sad to see it all wiped away due to the most dispicable actions of someone else and Joe's apparent lack of judgement in his decision to not contact the police about the situation when it was brought to his attention.  I'm sad for Penn State. I'm sad for those players on the football team.  And I'm sad for Joe.  And if Joe is involved in a cover-up, my sadness turns to disappointment and anger.  And of course, I'm sad for the victims of this really sick POS that molested them and devastated their lives.

Its just a horrible story on so many levels.

   I think you have summarized vey well.  What a shame for this all too happen.  But if it did what shame for the entire athletic department.

[Jack]

The problem is too many look the other way.  Few report law breakers of any kind unless it directly affects them. 

[doubletee]

I'm curious about the grad assistant eye witness .... what about him? (What happened to him at Penn State?)

The GA is now an assistant coach - wide receivers coach, I believe - Mike McCreary

[The Anvil]

Word is; he's being allowed to finish out the season then retire. I'm speechless...

[The Anvil]

He could regain a lot of respect if he just issued a strong mea culpa. Apologize to all of those for your failure and offer no excuses. But then if you actually take responsibility you hurt your chances in the inevitable lawsuits so...

The whole thing is sickening.

[donaldcc]

Word is; he's being allowed to finish out the season then retire. I'm speechless...

  At his press conference today Joe Pa announced he would retire at the end of the season.  I do not think that is enough (though I have respected him in the past).  His statement seems like he is still covering his a$$.  The Board of Trustees could still give him the boot and have formed a special board to investigate scandal.

   Statement seems like Joe wants the Board to forget about him since he has said he will resign.

Here is his statement:
 
I am absolutely devastated by the developments in this case. I grieve for the children and their families and I pray for their comfort and relief.

I have come to work every day for the last 61 years with one clear goal in mind: To serve the best interests of this university and the young men who have been entrusted to my care. I have the same goal today.

That's why I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of this season. At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can.

This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.

My goals now are to keep my commitments to my players and staff and finish the season with dignity and determination. And then I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to help this university.

  If he wants to make it easy for the Board, pack your bag and get the Hell out of Dodge. 

[Skinhead]

I heard on the local radio station today that the police have been investigating Sandusky for quite some time.  I don't know the timeline, but from what I heard, it sounded like Joe Pa was not the only one who dropped the ball here.  I'd like to see a timeline that shows who knew what and when.

[2Pokey]

The Board of Trustees could still give him the boot
[/quote]

Are you kidding? Sandusky bails under questionable cerumstances and then is later banned from the campus. Who do you think bans someone from the campus? You think the AD has this power? Its the Board of Trustees. The fact that the whole lot of them have not stepped down is beyond me. Instead they allow this media circus to envelop JoePa and allow him to be thrown under the bus for something they completely ignored. There are plenty of people to blame in this situation but JoePa is way down on my list.  

[The Anvil]

"That's why I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of this season. At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can.

This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.

My goals now are to keep my commitments to my players and staff and finish the season with dignity and determination. And then I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to help this University."

Allow me to translate: Fire me for my gross negligence and you lose me as a fundraiser.

Who is he to tell the board of trustees what they should be discussing? What a dirt bag.

[The Anvil]

The Board of Trustees could still give him the boot

Are you kidding? Sandusky bails under questionable cerumstances and then is later banned from the campus. Who do you think bans someone from the campus? You think the AD has this power? Its the Board of Trustees. The fact that the whole lot of them have not stepped down is beyond me. Instead they allow this media circus to envelop JoePa and allow him to be thrown under the bus for something they completely ignored. There are plenty of people to blame in this situation but JoePa is way down on my list.  
[/quote]

I think you're making excuses. By many accounts Joe Pa is (or at least WAS) the most powerful figure at Penn State and given the insane level of emphasis that's placed on football programs in western PA that's not hard to imagine.

[Bob E.]

One thing that is troubling to me is that he (JoePa) told the grand jury that McQueary didn't tell him the specifics of the act that he had apparently witnessed...just that there was some fondling and something sexual in nature.  I cannot believe that McQueary wouldn't have told him exactly what he had seen.  And I cannot believe, given that Joe stated that McQueary was visibly shaken by the incident, that he wouldn't have asked for specifics if McQueary was too uncomfortable to say.

Curley and Schwartz both said the same thing as Joe, and they were indicted not only for failing to report, but also for lying to the grand jury.

[donaldcc]

I heard on the local radio station today that the police have been investigating Sandusky for quite some time.  I don't know the timeline, but from what I heard, it sounded like Joe Pa was not the only one who dropped the ball here.  I'd like to see a timeline that shows who knew what and when.

  In 1998 victim 6 goes home after Sandusky showered with him. Mom sees wet hair and calls police who listened to phone call with mom where he admits showering with 11 yo boy.  admits to hugging boy in shower and knowing it was wrong.  District atty does not go forward with charges (must have been a Penn State fan).  WTF, man in his late 50's hugging 11 yo in shower with no one around and DA "closes" matter.  

   Retires with "emeritus" status in 1999 . Meaning still has office and gets to use facilities (showers?).  How is it possible Paterno did not know his defensive coach was investigated in 1998?  If graduate asst in 2002 told Joe he saw former coach in shower with 10 yo boy bells should go off and Paterno should have been on phone with police before asst left office.  Shameful.

  Here is timeline:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7212054/key-dates-penn-state-sex-abuse-case

[Bob E.]

 In 1998 victim 6 goes home after Sandusky showered with him. Mom sees wet hair and calls police who listened to phone call with mom where he admits showering with 11 yo boy.  admits to hugging boy in shower and knowing it was wrong.  District atty does not go forward with charges (must have been a Penn State fan).  WTF, man in his late 50's hugging 11 yo in shower with no one around and DA "closes" matter.  

Well, since you brought it up...the DA (Ray Gricar) disappeared without a trace back in 2005 and was declared dead just this summer.  Not saying it has any connection to this story, but it does make you wonder...just how much power do these people (JoePa, Sandusky, PSU Admin) have??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Gricar

[The Anvil]

This was written seven months ago: http://www.timesonline.com/columnists/sports/mark_madden/madden-sandusky-a-state-secret/article_863d3c82-5e6f-11e0-9ae5-001a4bcf6878.html#user-comment-area

It's quite possible that is is much, much worse than people realize.

[Skinhead]

This was written seven months ago: http://www.timesonline.com/columnists/sports/mark_madden/madden-sandusky-a-state-secret/article_863d3c82-5e6f-11e0-9ae5-001a4bcf6878.html#user-comment-area

It's quite possible that is is much, much worse than people realize.

Thanks.  I haven't really been following this, too many other things going on.  What a sick SOB.

( Sandusky I mean, not you Advil)

[The Anvil]

Thanks.  I haven't really been following this, too many other things going on.  What a sick SOB.

( Sandusky I mean, not you Advil)

What's curious is that I'm usually accused of BEING a pain, not relieving it. 

Normally I think that Rick Reilly sucks but this is a good piece.

http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7208581/rick-reilly-penn-state-scandal

What's amazing is that for all of our (and I mean society) tough talk about zero tolerance for sexual predation, we certainly seem to tolerate an awful lot of it. That needs to end STAT. Now is when we need President Nuge.

[donaldcc]

  As I predicted, Paterno is history. His actions as the big cheese are deplorable.  The Board of Trustees made the right decision.  It would be embarassing to see him on the sidelines on Saturday.

[The Anvil]

Mark Madden (the guy who nailed this seven months ago) is now "reporting" allegations that Sandusky's charity organization was pimping out young boys to wealthy contributors. It really would not surprise me because from everything you  read about the man he was a genuinely sadistic, remorseless and evil man.

http://www.businessinsider.com/jerry-sandusky-donors-2011-11

This is a systemic failure, bottom to top and the people who failed these kids need to go to prison.

[Hoser]

I heard on the local radio station today that the police have been investigating Sandusky for quite some time.  I don't know the timeline, but from what I heard, it sounded like Joe Pa was not the only one who dropped the ball here.  I'd like to see a timeline that shows who knew what and when.

I agree, he reported it to the athletic director,and the president of the university, who sent the police to investigate, which they did.  Someone may have dropped the ball, but it wasn't Joe.  What else should he have done, besides beat the crap out of him?     Hoser

[Bob E.]

Heres a timeline of the various occurrances. 

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7212054/key-dates-penn-state-nittany-lions-sex-abuse-case

Generally, the police were only involved with the 1998 case that was reported by one victim's mother when Sandusky brought the kid home with wet hair from showering.  The case was investigated and for whatever reason, no charges were filed.

For the 2002 case involving McQueary witnessing and reporting it to Paterno, the police were never called.  Paterno reported to Curley and Schultz, who then interviewed McQueary.  They never reported it to police.  However, Schultz is actually in a position that places him in charge of the University Police, so that is pretty damning.  They just said they would look into it.  And they ended up deciding to handle it internally by taking Sandusky's keys to the locker room and supposedly reported it to Sandusky's charity, Second Mile.  And neither Joe nor McQueary followed up when they didn't see anything being done, which is why they are being criticized now.  This is where Paterno and McQueary dropped the ball.  I want to believe they were under the impression that it was being handled...but the more info that comes out, it is looking more and more like a cover-up.

[Jess from VA]

It is also interesting to note that the local county prosecutor that may have been working on a criminal case against Sandusky some few years back, went missing and has never been found dead or alive.

[Psychotic Bovine]

It also bothers me that quite a few students "rioted" (I use this in quotes, not sure what else to call it) when he was fired.  Seriously?  Why isn't anyone rioting for the victims?

[Bama Red]

As the grandfather of a granddaughter who was sexually molested by her biological father at age four, maybe I can offer a unique perspective on this.

Fortunately, someone cared enough to follow the law and report what our granddaughter told her to the police. The actions of a church kindergarten teacher may have saved our granddaughters life, and certainly saved her mental well-being - thank God for her and those like her. As for those who wait and hope that someone else will do what they themselves should do, well, I hope they spend a long, excruciatingly painful eternity, along with the molester, screaming at the top of their lungs for mercy.

The molester could not be prosecuted due to my granddaughter's young age and perceived lack of "presence" on the stand. Nevertheless, he does have a file on record that somehow seems to follow him wherever he goes. He has become an alcoholic, lost every job job he has held since the molestation, gone bankrupt and now lives in a halfway house for recovering alcoholics. For the past eighteen years, he has only been able to see his daughter at supervised visitations. The only reason he still draws breath is that my daughter and wife were able to convince me that he was not worth me going to jail for what I wanted to do to him.

Think good and hard about this and then make your decision about all that went wrong at Penn State. There is cowardice and lack of moral fiber enough to go around for all concerned.

[The Anvil]

It also bothers me that quite a few students "rioted" (I use this in quotes, not sure what else to call it) when he was fired.  Seriously?  Why isn't anyone rioting for the victims?

It's not just young people who are stupid. Read the whole thing:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7220097/penn-state-nittany-lions-rally-program

[donaldcc]

I agree, he reported it to the athletic director,and the president of the university, who sent the police to investigate, which they did.  Someone may have dropped the ball, but it wasn't Joe.  What else should he have done, besides beat the crap out of him?    Hoser

Sorry Hoser, must respectfully disagree.  

  A few things that should have been done.  

The graduate asst who is now a coach should have waded right into the shower where Sandusky was sodomizing a 10 year old and "rescued" the victim as he was calling 911.  When this scandal was brought out last week and the AD and VP were fired, he and Paterno also should have been immediately fired for their lack of judgment.

I know that Joe has also been portrayed as a stand up guy with concern for staff and players.  He is tarnished forever and his "high morals" and position as most powerful guy at Penn State should have MANDATED that he follow through.

As the man with all the power, Joe should have followed up on the "investigation" as it was clear laws were broken.  He must have been aware of the 1998 admission by Sandusky that he had showered with and "hugged" a naked boy in shower in similar episode.  Can't believe Sandusky was not charged and fired then, but was allowed to "resign" in 99 (cover up?)

Some investigation in 2002  .  No police involvement,  no Child Protective Services, they NEVER even identified the victim to hear his version.  Took away Sandusky's keys.  BIG DEAL (cover up?).  It is reported that he continued to use facilities until a couple of weeks before his arrest.

There are now reports that Texas may charge Sandusky also since he listed victim 4 as a family member, took him to bowl game in Texas and when young boy did not cooperate, he threatened to send him home.  I hope this A..hole gets it big time every place that is possible.  I feel very confident this list of victims will grow substantially.

Now they say the asst coach has threats and will not be at tomorrow's game for his protection.  Fire him now as should have been when this surfaced and let him worry about himself.

 

MODIFY  I do like your suggestion though,  he should have beat the crap out of him.