Louis Freeh Report: Severe Consequences Likely If NCAA Steps In

We anticipated the worst, and unfortunately, we got it.

The 267-page Freeh Report hit the web (and nearly crashed it) on Thursday morning. It summarized the findings of former FBI director Louis Freeh's eight-month investigation into Penn State’s knowledge of—and response to—convicted pedophile Jerry Sandusky’s horrific activities.

These findings included detailed accounts, statements and revelations of a massive Penn State cover-up that stretches all the way back to 1998. The report was worded directly, the sentences sharply crafted. The details remain almost unthinkable.  

The most shocking thing: They knew, and they did nothing. For years. It was revealed that Joe Paterno and other Penn State higher-ups were aware of a criminal investigation into the former coach well before 2001. 

An extra three years in a situation such as this—more specifically, three years of further concealment—only contributes to the horrifying nature of these crimes. The crimes that were committed went beyond the man currently contained in a small cement chamber.

The Freeh Report, which can be read in its entirety here, can be accurately summed up in a statement released by the Freeh Commission, courtesy of Yahoo! Sports.

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The most saddening finding by the Special Investigative Counsel is the total and consistent disregard by the most senior leaders at Penn State for the safety and welfare of Sandusky's child victims. The most powerful men at Penn State failed to take any steps for 14 years to protect the children who Sandusky victimized.

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The extent of the information in the report, which also includes a direct violation of the Clery Act—a requirement of institutions that involves campus security—has prompted some to question how and if the NCAA should get involved and what future punishments might include.

This stretches well beyond a horrific cover-up. The university’s lack of training, preparation and implementation of critical university procedures will also be under the microscope. 

One man who knows more about the NCAA and its thought process in regards to punishment is Yahoo! Sports’ senior investigative reporter Charles Robinson, who took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the latest revelations.

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Lack of centralized compliance + criminal concealment = more than enough for the NCAA to dig into Penn State with every available shovel.

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) July 12, 2012"

The case is unprecedented, but the NCAA now has enough ammunition and evidence to cripple the Penn State program if it so chooses.

The question remains: Just how far can and should they go to punish the program if they decide to pursue that path? How can they possibly evaluate what "adequate punishment" looks like?

I had sided with many on this issue—including Bleacher Report’s own Michael Felder—that the NCAA should let this remain a legal matter and avoid involvement. But that was before the Freeh Report hit. Now we have a much deeper perspective on how this sexual abuse case went unreported—purposely unreported—for nearly 15 years.

There was most certainly a lack of institutional control exhibited at the university, regardless of how the NCAA specifically explains this in its rule book. Throw out the rule book here. 

From the president to the head coach to the board of trustees, this is a case so deeply rooted that it cannot and should not be viewed as such. Comparing this to the past “Death Penalty” case of SMU is a reckless grasp at the wrong comparison.

What possibly compares to this?

The Penn State scandal should be placed on its own pedestal, setting its own unfortunate precedent. In the end, it may contribute to extreme rule changes in regards to how the NCAA views cases approaching this magnitude. Hopefully, they will never have to assess this type of travesty ever again.

The NCAA has already stated that some involvement may be on the horizon, and at this point, it seems like there is no other choice. The latest details that have surfaced are likely unavoidable. If they do decide to investigate, however, there will be no turning back. Like all black holes, this will have no bottom.

If the point of NCAA involvement is to deter other programs from following the same tragic course, then there’s no need for further involvement, and the legal system can take its course. The consequences are obvious and the actions gruesome, and many bitter lessons have already been learned.

Suddenly, however, it just doesn’t feel that simple, and action beyond civil suits and further court cases might be necessary. What are the other options here?

This is where the problem lies, as one potential outcome will be imminent if (and that’s a very key word in all of this) the NCAA decides to go down that path. Probation, scholarship cuts, vacated wins and bowl bans would be an insult to the magnitude of this case, its victims and the violations that took place.

A slap on the wrist will simply not suffice. If the NCAA moves in, it will be all-in.