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Good post.

After reading the Freeh report, I am relived to see there is no "smoking gun" that can cripple the PSU football program form the NCAA standpoint.

There are no issues about academic fraud, improper benefits - in fact there is mention of swift and appropriate policy by the University regarding the 1997 contact of an agent with Curtis Enis, or improper discipline of athletes (the recent interview was a smokescreen).

The report was consistent with Grand Jury testimony. Curley, Shultz, and Spanier work at high levels to make decisions to avoid prosecuting Sandusky. Paterno was occasionally apprised of the situation, sometimes consulted, but not listed as a final decision maker. The Penn State "Way" or culture provided a context for handling matters in house. The admin was aware of both 1998 and 2001. How much Paterno knew in 1998 was very sketchy. The only reference was a mention of apprising Paterno of the situation.

The 1998 retirement procedure of Sandusky actually occurred 3 months before the first shower incident. The findings found them no way related. There was no conspiracy to force Sandusky into retirement because of charges. (Phew).

PSU failed miserably in allowing Sandusky access to the facilities and 2nd Mile kids. But we already knew that.

In my mind, this solidifies the civil lawsuits, the perjury, and sullies Paterno only slightly more than the last 3 months. Basically, rumors confirmed but nothing new.

There is nothing in there violating NCAA rules. IMO.

No smoking gun?!?!?!?!

"Based on the evidence, the only known, intervening factor between the decision made on February 25, 2001 by Messrs. Spanier, Curley and Schulz to report the incident to the Department of Public Welfare, and then agreeing not to do so on February 27th, was Mr. Paterno's February 26th conversation with Mr. Curley,"

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 10:43 AM ET  07.12 by Grue

After reading the Freeh report, I am relived to see there is no "smoking gun" that can cripple the PSU football program form the NCAA standpoint.There are no issues about academic fraud, improper benefits - in fact there is mention of swift and appropriate policy by the University regarding the 1997 contact of an agent with Curtis Enis, or improper discipline of athletes (the recent interview was a smokescreen).The report was consistent with Grand Jury testimony. Curley, Shultz, and Spanier work at high levels to make decisions to avoid prosecuting Sandusky. Paterno was occasionally apprised of the situation, sometimes consulted, but not listed as a final decision maker. The Penn State "Way" or culture provided a context for handling matters in house. The admin was aware of both 1998 and 2001. How much Paterno knew in 1998 was very sketchy. The only reference was a mention of apprising Paterno of the situation.The 1998 retirement procedure of Sandusky actually occurred 3 months before the first shower incident. The findings found them no way related. There was no conspiracy to force Sandusky into retirement because of charges. (Phew).PSU failed miserably in allowing Sandusky access to the facilities and 2nd Mile kids. But we already knew that.In my mind, this solidifies the civil lawsuits, the perjury, and sullies Paterno only slightly more than the last 3 months. Basically, rumors confirmed but nothing new.There is nothing in there violating NCAA rules. IMO.

you didn't read the report then.....there were numerous places where it was mentioned that Paterno was "eager" to get status updates on the issue. He was fully in the loop as shown by the FACT that he was CC'd on many emails relating to EACH incident including 1998 and 2001. And then a 10 yr old email where Curley, who had been on board with going to the authorities, suddenly felt uncomfortable with that AFTER a discussion with Paterno and he "suddenly" felt that it would be more "humane" to go another route...it ALL comes back to PATERNO...

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 11:41 AM ET  07.12 by ---Loki---

No smoking gun?!?!?!?!"Based on the evidence, the only known, intervening factor between the decision made on February 25, 2001 by Messrs. Spanier, Curley and Schulz to report the incident to the Department of Public Welfare, and then agreeing not to do so on February 27th, was Mr. Paterno's February 26th conversation with Mr. Curley,"

Which we already knew due to the leak and it changes nothing about the investigation or lawsuits. Sure, the Paterno family and his supporters who held out hope (myself included) have to eat a little crow.

The smoking gun I referred to was regarding the NCAA. Not the perjury.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 11:46 AM ET  07.12 by ---Loki---

you didn't read the report then.....there were numerous places where it was mentioned that Paterno was "eager" to get status updates on the issue. He was fully in the loop as shown by the FACT that he was CC'd on many emails relating to EACH incident including 1998 and 2001. And then a 10 yr old email where Curley, who had been on board with going to the authorities, suddenly felt uncomfortable with that AFTER a discussion with Paterno and he "suddenly" felt that it would be more "humane" to go another route...it ALL comes back to PATERNO...

and then there's the whole letter he wrote regarding how it "wasn't a football matter"...the one where he NEVER condemns Sandusky's actions, NEVER shows concern for the welfare of the victims....he just tries to make the players feel better...ABOUT THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM...because to Paterno, it was never about anything but his precious football program...morality? NONE. Ethical standards? NONE.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 11:46 AM ET  07.12 by ---Loki---

you didn't read the report then.....there were numerous places where it was mentioned that Paterno was "eager" to get status updates on the issue. He was fully in the loop as shown by the FACT that he was CC'd on many emails relating to EACH incident including 1998 and 2001. And then a 10 yr old email where Curley, who had been on board with going to the authorities, suddenly felt uncomfortable with that AFTER a discussion with Paterno and he "suddenly" felt that it would be more "humane" to go another route...it ALL comes back to PATERNO...

Again, i already know this is bad for Paterno. But he's dead. I've moved on from that and I'm concerned about the future of the program.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 11:47 AM ET  07.12 by Grue

Which we already knew due to the leak and it changes nothing about the investigation or lawsuits. Sure, the Paterno family and his supporters who held out hope (myself included) have to eat a little crow.The smoking gun I referred to was regarding the NCAA. Not the perjury.

I am not sure how it would involve the NCAA anyway....unless they have rules about moral standards....it's not like they were paying players or cheating in academics or athletics...Would the NCAA step in when a coach gets a DUI?

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 11:49 AM ET  07.12 by Grue

Again, i already know this is bad for Paterno. But he's dead. I've moved on from that and I'm concerned about the future of the program.

the program should be suspended for a couple of years to break the culture that everything is centered around the football program...

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 11:50 AM ET  07.12 by ---Loki---

the program should be suspended for a couple of years to break the culture that everything is centered around the football program...

take away athletic scholarships and move PSU to div III

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 11:51 AM ET  07.12 by ---Loki---

take away athletic scholarships and move PSU to div III

they CAN have different sports in different divisions...so only football could be removed while leaving their Div I volleyball teams untouched

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 11:50 AM ET  07.12 by ---Loki---

the program should be suspended for a couple of years to break the culture that everything is centered around the football program...

I think the Board of Trustees, Governor of PA, new coach/staff, the Sandusky trial, the upcoming trial, and the civil lawsuits are pretty darn effective culture changers.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 10:39 AM ET  07.12 by GrandTheftHarley

Thanks, JK. While this sordid narrative is revolting, as a CFB fan I would hope that the PSU/Sandusky case might become the tipping point for real reform of the game and of the institutions that support it. But, that may be asking too much.

What kind of reform are you hoping for? I hope beyond hope that this sort of thing is very rare so I'm not sure any reform based off of this would have anything to do with the rest of the schools, other than rules and guidelines not to let this happen anywhere else.

the thing is, the smoking gun really wasn't anything against the individuals that covered it up....it was the finding that the entire university culture from the board of trustees and president down through the students that rioted was the problem that allowed it to happen over what has now been discovered to be a 14 year period rather than just 10....

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 11:52 AM ET  07.12 by ---Loki---

they CAN have different sports in different divisions...so only football could be removed while leaving their Div I volleyball teams untouched

Your moral outrage is commendable. The logic behind this, not so much.

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 11:52 AM ET  07.12 by Joe Kidd #1

What kind of reform are you hoping for? I hope beyond hope that this sort of thing is very rare so I'm not sure any reform based off of this would have anything to do with the rest of the schools, other than rules and guidelines not to let this happen anywhere else.

Syracuse had the same news come out around the same time....

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 11:56 AM ET  07.12 by Grue

Your moral outrage is commendable. The logic behind this, not so much.

after a few years, they could be granted partial scholarships and moved up to Div II, and then a few more re-instated as a full Div I football program with full scholarships...

the thing is, the academic side should suffer too....the students that rioted obviously haven't been learning college level material...they were a bunch of closed minded idiots...and THAT reflects on the standard of education at the school...