Penn State NCAA Sanctions: Jerry Sandusky Scandal Leads to Major Penalties

The NCAA has finally revealed the penalties it has decided to levy upon Penn State University for its gross mishandling of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, and they can be adequately characterized in one word.

Harsh.

According to the 9 a.m. ET press conference on ESPN and NCAA press release, the sanctions are most severe over the next four years.

One of the most devastating punishments will be the four-year postseason ban, which the NCAA describes as such:

"

The University's football team shall end its 2012 season and each season through 2015 with the playing of its last regularly scheduled, in-season contest and shall not be eligible to participate in any postseason competition, including a conference championship, any bowl game, or any postseason playoff competition.

"

The school will also lose $60 million in fines, with $12 million minimum paid yearly.

PSU will also lose 20 scholarships over the next four seasons, which will destroy any semblance of recruiting the program has. This is how the NCAA explains the punishment:

"

For a period of four years commencing with the 2013-2014 academic year and expiring at the conclusion of the 2016-2017 academic year, the NCAA imposes a limit of 15 initial grants-in-aid (from a maximum of 25 allowed) and for a period of four years commencing with the 2014-2015 academic year and expiring at the conclusion of the 2017-2018 academic year a limit of 65 total grants-in-aid (from a maximum of 85 allowed) for football during each of those specified years

"

PSU will also have five years of monitored probation, must complete all recommendations from the Freeh report and must appoint an athletics integrity monitor for five seasons to ensure that these all properly take place.

Considering the severity of these punishments, the NCAA is going to allow all current student-athletes to transfer to any other Division I football program of their choosing without having to sit out for the usual season.

"

Penn State players can transfer IMMEDIATELY

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 23, 2012"

That stipulation is likely going to be the end of the Nittany Lions as a national powerhouse. Any incoming recruit or half-decent returning player would be crazy not to take the NCAA’s offer to escape to a better program that hasn’t just been decimated by penalties.

According to Greg Pickel of The Patriot-News, this mass exodus is already beginning, with cornerback Ross Douglas decommitting from the program.

"

Ohio cornerback Ross Douglas has decommitted from #PennState, per Bill Greene.

— Greg Pickel (@GregPickel) July 23, 2012"

Coach Bill O'Brien released a statement statement that says he will not give up on his current team and plans to make the future at PSU much better than the past. Per GoPSUSports.com:

"

Today we receive a very harsh penalty from the NCAA and as Head Coach of the Nittany Lions football program, I will do everything in my power to not only comply, but help guide the University forward to become a national leader in ethics, compliance and operational excellence. I knew when I accepted the position that there would be tough times ahead. But I am committed for the long term to Penn State and our student athletes.

"

The sanctions have had a major impact on former coach Joe Paterno’s legacy, as the loss of 111 wins drops him down to 298 wins total, far below Bobby Bowden’s 377 recognized Division I-A wins.

"

Paterno now at 298 wins officially, making Bobby Bowden the all-time wins leader in Division I-A. #FSU #ACCKickoff

— D.C. Reeves (@Warchant_DC) July 23, 2012"

These measures are severe but should certainly help to prevent another disaster like the Sandusky scandal from happening again. It’s also fitting for the horrific nature of the crimes, especially when compared to how the NCAA handled another high-profile incident at a major program.

Ryan Abraham of USCFootball.com noted that the Trojans only lost 10 scholarships over three seasons and had a two-year bowl ban. PSU’s penalties were effectively double what USC received for its athletics scandal.

"

These #PSU sanctions far worse that #USC. Double the bowl ban. Roster of 65 for 4 years vs roster of 75 for 3.

— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) July 23, 2012"

This is an unprecedented occurrence in NCAA history, and the organization made the right call to bring the hammer down in an attempt to keep it a one-of-a-kind incident.

Every college and university across the nation must learn from the trials of Penn State University. There must never be another Jerry Sandusky-type scandal, and hopefully these penalties ensure that there will not.