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Ot - Ex Penn State Defensive Coord Charged

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Sandusky retired as PSU's defensive coordinator in 1999 at the age of 55. All of this makes you wonder about the real reasons behind that decision. He was still relatively young and, among defensive coordinators, at the top of his profession.
 
Wbbfan1 said:
Paterno should have immediately fired Sandusky for cause instead of just allowing him to retire. Its almost as if he wanted to sweep it under the carpet never to see the light of day.
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There are laws protecting workers that would have prevent Paterno from doing this. Most likely a temporary leave of absence until the matter could have been reviewed by the proper authorities would have been the legal action.
 
UConnCat said:
Sandusky retired as PSU's defensive coordinator in 1999 at the age of 55. All of this makes you wonder about the real reasons behind that decision. He was still relatively young and, among defensive coordinators, at the top of his profession.
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It is suspicious. But what I question is why did he get the retirement deal if he was forced out? What does he have on the university if our suspicions have merit?
 
fleudslipcon said:
There are laws protecting workers that would have prevent Paterno from doing this. Most likely a temporary leave of absence until the matter could have been reviewed by the proper authorities would have been the legal action.
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That is part of the reason that JoePA may be getting the walk, what was done may have been on the advice of legal counsel and conflicting interests under the law. He did report it up the chain at the time, specifically that would have been to Curley and then Schultz.
 
However this plays out Paterno's legacy will not be enhanced.
 
fleudslipcon said:
It is suspicious. But what I question is why did he get the retirement deal if he was forced out? What does he have on the university if our suspicions have merit?
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Universities, like other entities, including corporations, often want problems to go away. One way to avoid unwanted attention is to treat a departure like any other. If Sandusky were fired without a retirement deal then that would invite scrutiny into the underlying reasons. PSU didn't want any of that as evidenced by the decisions made by top administrators.
 
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Icebear said:
That is part of the reason that JoePA may be getting the walk, what was done may have been on the advice of legal counsel and conflicting interests under the law. He did report it up the chain at the time, specifically that would have been to Curley and then Schultz.
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The severity of the punishments to Curley and Schultz, provides the biggest clue as to why institutions and the individuals in charge take the actions of non reporting. Curley and Schultz would have gotten a slap on the hand if they didn't lie to the grand jury.

The cover up would have cost them 90 days and $200 and most likely they would have gotten off with community service.

So the only incentive for these two individuals to report the crime to the police was a moral one. And they rationalized the institution which has a responsibility to several thousands of kids was more important than the trauma to a few kids. They must have been hoping the acts of Sandusky would never come to light, because now the reputation is far more damaged.

Additionally the 2002 mess now puts a microscope on the 1998 events and will necessitate authorities to investigate if any cover ups took place with those incidences.
 
UConnCat said:
Universities, like other entities, including corporations, often want problems to go away. One way to avoid unwanted attention is to treat a departure like any other. If Sandusky were fired without a retirement deal then that would invite scrutiny into the underlying reasons. PSU didn't want any of that as evidenced by the decisions made by top administrators.
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I would agree with you if I knew all the early PSU retirees got special perks like Sandusky. But I'm not sure they do.
 
UConnCat said:
Universities, like other entities, including corporations, often want problems to go away. One way to avoid unwanted attention is to treat a departure like any other. If Sandusky were fired without a retirement deal then that would invite scrutiny into the underlying reasons. PSU didn't want any of that as evidenced by the decisions made by top administrators.
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Specifically, I find it incredible that a university taking the action of a "forced retirement" because they suspected or had proof Sandusky was a pedophile, would provide him with the specific retirement benefits that would have given him incentives to remain on campus, and access to the place where the 1998 crimes took place.
 
It was very difficult to read the indictment without crying. If true, those involved should go to prison and never get out. I love college sports but the direction it's heading makes me sick. You can't trust politicians, priests and now coaches or college administrators.
 
fleudslipcon said:
I would agree with you if I knew all the early PSU retirees got special perks like Sandusky. But I'm not sure they do.
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He was Paterno's assistant coach for 33 years. As such he was unlike other PSU retirees. Who really knows what was behind the retirement decision. I'm simply suggesting that there may have been more to that decision than initially reported. If PSU administrators are capable of failing to report knowledge of a crime committed against a child, they are capable of reaching a perk-filled settlement to make a problem go away and have everyone believe all is happy in the valley.
 
UConnCat said:
He was Paterno's assistant coach for 33 years. As such he was unlike other PSU retirees. Who really knows what was behind the retirement decision. I'm simply suggesting that there may have been more to that decision than initially reported. If PSU administrators are capable of failing to report knowledge of a crime committed against a child, they are capable of reaching a perk-filled settlement to make a problem go away and have everyone believe all is happy in the valley.
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Thanks for the clarification. It is plausible there are other explanations for the retirement and it was not "forced".

It could even be plausible that if it was forced, the individuals responsible for the enforcement of the retirement had a misconception of pedophile behavior, incorrectly believing it was a one time transgression and that he could be rehabilitated. It was 1998 and not 2011.

Or they were so shocked by events and frightened by the consequences these events could have on the institution, they reacted irrationally.

Sad in any event. The most important things is we learn lessons from this.
 
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Interesting that the graduate assistant who reported what he witnessed in 2002 to Paterno and then met with the AD and the other administrator is now an Assistant Coach (wide receivers) and Recruiting Coordinator for the PSU football team. His name is Mike McQueary.
 
That has been rumored but I have not seen it confirmed anywhere. He grew up in State College and is the big red headed kid you see running the team. He is a very capable coach and essentially runs the sidelines on game days as PSU currently sets up the team. JoePA, Galen Hall and Dick Anderson are all upstairs.

If it was McQueary who was the student assistant who made the report I would have expected him identified clearly like the others.
 
Many of the questions asked here areaddressedin the Sunday NYT Sports section. I stillhavh connevions in Pa (native) to know not to mess with this one. Speculationis damaging. Remember, you can;t unring a bell!
 
I'm pretty sure that the football coach would not be considered an "administrator", legally.

Ultimately, time will hopefully reveal what really happened as to a "cover-up", I'm sure there is more to learn.

A very sad tale and lots of poor judgement.
 
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In PA reports prosecutors seem to be praising JoePA and McQueary for their actions and cooperation.
 
Icebear said:
In PA reports prosecutors seem to be praising JoePA and McQueary for their actions and cooperation.
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From what I've seen so far, he deserves anything but praise. He passed on info to a higher-up and then never again inquired when no legal action was forthcoming. Which led to more years of horrible abuse.

What would have happened back in 2002 if Paterno had gone directly to the police when a few weeks went by and it was apparent that nothing was being done?
 
Icebear said:
In PA reports prosecutors seem to be praising JoePA and McQueary for their actions and cooperation.
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Paterno has been receiving less praise from sportswriter and other columnists around the country who are questioning his inaction. Obviously feeling the heat, Paterno has just released this statement in which he asks people to "be fair":

"If true, the nature and amount of charges made are very shocking to me and all Penn Staters. While I did what I was supposed to with the one charge brought to my attention, like anyone else involved I can't help but be deeply saddened these matters are alleged to have occurred.

"Sue and I have devoted our lives to helping young people reach their potential. The fact that someone we thought we knew might have harmed young people to this extent is deeply troubling. If this is true we were all fooled, along with scores of professionals trained in such things, and we grieve for the victims and their families. They are in our prayers.

"As my grand jury testimony stated, I was informed in 2002 by an assistant coach that he had witnessed an incident in the shower of our locker room facility. It was obvious that the witness was distraught over what he saw, but he at no time related to me the very specific actions contained in the Grand Jury report. Regardless, it was clear that the witness saw something inappropriate involving Mr. Sandusky. As Coach Sandusky was retired from our coaching staff at that time, I referred the matter to university administrators.

"I understand that people are upset and angry, but let's be fair and let the legal process unfold. In the meantime I would ask all Penn Staters to continue to trust in what that name represents, continue to pursue their lives every day with high ideals and not let these events shake their beliefs nor who they are."

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/11/joe_paterno_issues_statement_a.html
 
Too little, too late....

"Penn State says it is barring from campus a former football coach accused of sexually assaulting eight boys, and it also is paying legal costs for two school officials charged with perjury and failing to alert police about what they knew in the case."

LINK
 
According to this reporter Paterno has to bear some of the responsibility. I don't know what the law is in PA or what's required to be reported by whom, but if Paterno knew what he is alleged to have known and if he pursued it no further than he did, than shame on him.

From the Fox sports report by Greg Couch -
“As the graduate assistant put the sneakers in his locker, he looked into the shower. He saw a naked boy, Victim 2, whose age he estimated to be ten years old, with his hands up against the wall, being subjected to anal intercourse by a naked Sandusky.’’
The assistant fled in fear and confusion. Much the same way a janitor fled after allegedly witnessing Sandusky engaged in a sexual act in the showers with a “young boy” — Victim 8, later described in the report as being “between the ages of 11 and 13.”

Shame on the grad assistant for not beating the crap out of Sandusky on the spot and then screaming to the police, the media and anyone else that would listen. While Paterno alleges that the graduate assistant didn't tell him specifically what was going on, shame on him for not pursuing it beyond passing the buck Paterno needs to go - now.
 
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The school probably has little option but to pay for staff's defense because it was being under their employment that created the mandatory reporting requirement unlike me who as a pastor has it by definition of ordination.

As this now plays out there are many legal policies that must be played out. Remember Joe was not a witness to the event, McQueary was. McQueary reported to Joe and Joe promptly reported it to his administrator. The administrator then interviewed McQeary ten days later. Ten days? Not being a witness that was likely the end of Joe's responsibility. No one is required to report hearsay to Children's Services. Consider the chaos that would create.

The 1998 situation died with the DA so clearly all the appropriate steps had been taken. Blame if there is any lies with the DA or with the lack of reliable testimony and usable evidence. Steps were taken to separate Sandusky. Sufficient, not in hind sight but legally maybe what the school, not Joe agreed to for reasons not clear. Maybe because there was no prosecution. Remember a person raising the issue is potentially opening themselves to counter suit. Once the DA dropped it what else is there to be done. 18 months after the original complaint it would be expunged from Sandusky's record providing no intervening complaints.

Should anyone like any of this, not in the least but the are a variety of legal protections involved. All of our anger is appropriate but as Joe noted it is a process. Let it work and let the information emerge.

BTW, the original charges against Sandusky were withdrawn on Friday and are to be modified and resubmitted Monday.
 
stamfordhusky said:
From what I've seen so far, he deserves anything but praise. He passed on info to a higher-up and then never again inquired when no legal action was forthcoming. Which led to more years of horrible abuse.

What would have happened back in 2002 if Paterno had gone directly to the police when a few weeks went by and it was apparent that nothing was being done?
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None of us knows that to be true or not? There is no evidence I know of indicating that he did or didn't make further inquiries. It is the state AG who is supporting Joe's actions and McQueary's as apparently did the Grand Jury. I would trust they know more than any of us.

Joe's simple statement is correct in that we must allow things to be played out legally.
 
"Not being a witness that was likely the end of Joe's responsibility."

That may or may not have been the end of Paterno's legal responsibility but for me that's meaningless. What about his responsibility as a human being?
Whatever specifics he knew, it is obvious that he knew that something unacceptable was going on between one of his coaches and a child. For him to do nothing more than pass it up the chain is unconscionable.
 
Icebear said:
The 1998 situation died with the DA so clearly all the appropriate steps had been taken. Blame if there is any lies with the DA or with the lack of reliable testimony and usable evidence.
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The DA at the time disappeared in 2005 and hasn't been seen or heard from since. His laptop without the hard drive was subsequently found in the Susquehanna River.
 
UConnCat said:
Paterno has been receiving less praise from sportswriter and other columnists around the country who are questioning his inaction. Obviously feeling the heat, Paterno has just released this statement in which he asks people to "be fair":

"If true, the nature and amount of charges made are very shocking to me and all Penn Staters. While I did what I was supposed to with the one charge brought to my attention, like anyone else involved I can't help but be deeply saddened these matters are alleged to have occurred.

"Sue and I have devoted our lives to helping young people reach their potential. The fact that someone we thought we knew might have harmed young people to this extent is deeply troubling. If this is true we were all fooled, along with scores of professionals trained in such things, and we grieve for the victims and their families. They are in our prayers.

"As my grand jury testimony stated, I was informed in 2002 by an assistant coach that he had witnessed an incident in the shower of our locker room facility. It was obvious that the witness was distraught over what he saw, but he at no time related to me the very specific actions contained in the Grand Jury report. Regardless, it was clear that the witness saw something inappropriate involving Mr. Sandusky. As Coach Sandusky was retired from our coaching staff at that time, I referred the matter to university administrators.

"I understand that people are upset and angry, but let's be fair and let the legal process unfold. In the meantime I would ask all Penn Staters to continue to trust in what that name represents, continue to pursue their lives every day with high ideals and not let these events shake their beliefs nor who they are."

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/11/joe_paterno_issues_statement_a.html
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So JoePa expects people to actually accept this CYA horses**t? Stuff it you old fool.
 
UConnCat said:
The DA at the time disappeared in 2005 and hasn't been seen or heard from since. His laptop without the hard drive was subsequently found in the Susquehanna River.
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Yes, I remember the time of his disappearance. My recollection is that the hard drive alone was found but was unreadable and that he had accessed a site on how to destroy hard drives one of which was disposal in water. His older brother, also, disappeared in 1996 From his West Chester, OH home. He was later found drowned in a river and ruled a suicide.

Ray was finally declared dead this past July.
 
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