Penn State Sanctions: NCAA Deserves Credit for Taking Stand Against PSU

The NCAA and president Mark Emmert made their mark Monday when they brought the hammer down on Penn State University, penalizing them severely for the “lack of institutional control” in the alleged cover-up by former head coach Joe Paterno and other officials of Jerry Sandusky’s crimes.

Sports Illustrated columnist Stewart Mandel is reporting on the extent of the sanctions levied Monday by the NCAA:

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NCAA penalties: 4 year bowl ban, 20 total/10 annual scholarship recuction for 4 yrs, $60 million fine, Vacating all wins from '98-2011

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) July 23, 2012"

With such heavy penalties—$60 million in fines, four-year bowl ban, vacated wins from 1998-2011 and 20 total/10 annual scholarship reduction for the next four years—Penn State has been dealt a blow that some argue is worse than a one-year “death penalty.”

As serious as the penalties on PSU are, the egregious errors made by the most powerful people in Happy Valley forced the NCAA’s hand.

The NCAA made the tough—and correct—decision.

What It Means

One of the bigger notes from this announcement is the vacated wins from 1998-2011, and the further damage it does to Paterno’s legacy.

While he may not deserve sympathy, the fall of the PSU legend Joe Paterno is one of the saddest events we have ever seen in college sports. From top to bottom, this whole situation is too horrible to quantify in words.

Not only has Paterno become the face of the destruction of Penn State, the vacated wins take the legend out of the top spot for winningest coach in college football history.

As for their current head coach Bill O'Brien, he and the athletic department have issued a statement saying that they will not allow these punishments to stop the success of the football program.

Despite the words of hope, it certainly is a sad day for the fans in Happy Valley.

What’s Next?

Penn State is in serious trouble with these sanctions, and their next four years will be the most difficult in the school’s history. With no bowl games and the hard feelings of the last year looming over the university, there may be a mass exodus of players trying to transfer.

The NCAA has announced that all athletes committed to PSU football will be allowed to transfer Division I school without penalty, and the decommitments and transfers are already beginning.

The Nittany Lions will be in a lot of trouble on the field, but the focus of the school will not be on the football program for the next four years.

Nor should it be.

Check back for more on the NCAA Football as it comes, and don’t miss Bleacher Report’s College Football page to get your fill of college football.

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