by Steve Shoup
Discussion Question: How hard should the NCAA Come down on Penn State?
November 9, 2011 in Uncategorized by Steve Shoup
The NCAA has been attempting to bring down heavy sanctions on schools for covering up free cars, apartments and jewelry, what should they do to Penn State which purposely covered-up an abuse scandal?
Unfortunately, I think the NCAA as an organization, indirectly is a culprit in this disaster. They have been involved in developing a culture that places making money as the #1 priority. Part of doing that is projecting a favorable image that corporate sponsors and boosters are more than willing to support. When image is at stake, cover-ups come in to play. That is what we are dealing with in this Penn State case and at least some of the other cases.
So if you buy my premise, then how can you support whatever the NCAA does, without at least questioning the integrity of their decision? Covering up criminal activity of this nature is the worst of the worse. A severe penalty needs to be administered and I would go so far as to suggest that suspension of the football program for a couple of years should be on the table. I’m sure it won’t, but until serious penalties are dealt to schools that commit wrongdoing, the culture which allows for this kind of garbage to occur is never going to be brought under control.
Hey Steve!
I completely agree with Willypops, but my question for the NCAA is: why are all of their actions reactive and not proactive?
It seems to me that they just sit around until they’re forced to do something, which doesn’t actually prevent things like this from happening in the first place. It was obvious to everyone at PSU and the surrounding area the Joe Paterno had more clout than anyone — how is this not an obvious red flag in the eyes of the NCAA?
But yeah as for PSU, I think they should be in serious trouble. I don’t know about suspending the program in terms of games because it seems like that hurts the players the most, but they should definitely lose tons of money.
Hey Geoff,
I agree with a lot of what you said. I hate how the NCAA comes in after the fact and their punishments are fairly inconsistent (though obviously this is on a completely different level than giving a kid a $50K car or two). The NCAA needs to have better oversight and also ensure that they aren’t letting big name coaches, players and schools get off easy.
As for PSU, i wouldn’t suspend the program, but I’d give them the ‘death penalty for SMU’. I’d take away 12 scholarships a year for the next 5 years, and 7 scholarships for the 5 years after that. I think they should have a 10 year bowl ban, and any current player can transfer without penalty. I’d also significantly limit their recruiting ability (paid visits, etc.) and at least one coaching position. Finally i’d say a portion of their home game revenues and their Big 10 network money should go to funding support systems for victims of abuse and other outreach programs to kids.
I think the last part of your suggestion is extremely appropriate
Yeah i would say that is a must. Part of me thinks their bowl ban should only be for 5 years (except the BCS bowls…not that i think it would matter), and for the next 5 years 40% of their share of the bowls goes to those various support systems.
I think the ‘death penalty’ and a 10 year bowl band would be a little severe. I do have a certain bias though being from central PA. Sexual abuse is definitely a serious issue but those actions would kill the program. The economic impact Penn State football has on the area is tremendous.
On a side note and with all due respect to the victims and their families but I’m glad Penn State encourages safe sex because I feel Joe Paterno is getting screwed.