Penn State Scandal: What Sandusky, Curley Scandal Means for PSU

Being a member of the Penn State family as a 2008 graduate, I would be remiss if I did not begin this article by clearly stating how disappointed I am in athletic director Tim Curley.  While I am disappointed by the accusation of perjury on Curley's part, my anger and vehement disgust is focused more towards Jerry Sandusky.  While I hope Curley is innocent, I believe he absolutely made the right decision by resigning if he has the best interest of Penn State University in mind.  

If you have been living under a rock over the past weekend I'll quickly fill you in on the goings on in Happy Valley.  Former defensive coordinator (1977-1999) Jerry Sandusky was charged with sexually assaulting eight boys over a span of 15 years.  In addition to those charges, athletic director Tim Curley and vice president of finance and business Gary Shultz were charged with perjury and not reporting information pertinent to the sexual abuse.     

While Curley's behaviors, or lack thereof, directly represent the athletic department and consequently the university as a whole, Sandusky's gratuitous behaviors reflect the evil and depravity that exists within his own human nature.  The sad truth of this situation is that it reflects the fact that no matter how much integrity exists within a university, athletic department or even business, for that matter, people will continually act as individuals in a way that is detrimental to the organization they represent.  

The truth is that Sandusky acted in a way that is illegal, disgusting and inappropriate and he manipulated and connived his way to innocence until now.  Sandusky's behaviors reflect more who he is than it reflects what Penn State is and what Penn State stands for.  I believe in the "innocent until proven guilty" mantra, but I believe it is advantageous to understand the potential ramifications for Penn State athletics of all the possible outcomes for this scandal.  Since the purpose of the article is to focus on the athletic department as a whole, I am focusing on the actions of Sandusky and Curley and leaving out thoughts on the now-resigned Shultz.  

Let's begin by looking at the worst possible outcome: Sandusky and Curley both found guilty of their charges.

1.  Scenario No. 1: Jerry Sandusky found guilty of sexually assaulting eight boys and Tim Curley found guilty of perjury regarding concealment of information pertinent to the sexual assault charges of Sandusky.

This would mean major upheaval for the athletic department and those who were employed under Curley.  If Curley is found guilty of perjury, I wouldn't be shocked if he goes ahead and implicates others guilty of not reporting the sexual abuse solely for the purpose of attempting to lessen his consequences.  If this situation comes to fruition, Penn State fans will see a massive overhaul in the athletic department staffing, potentially making its way all the way up to the head football coach position.  While Joe Paterno hasn't been implicated in this scandal, I could see Penn State forcing him out as well to make way for a completely new regime, attempting to start new and cut all ties to Sandusky and Curley.  I believe this scenario has an 85 percent chance of becoming reality. 

2.  Scenario No. 2: Jerry Sandusky found guilty of sexually assaulting eight boys, but Tim Curley is found not guilty of perjury regarding concealment of information pertinent to the sexual assault charges ofJerry Sandusky.  

This would clear Curley, yet still tarnish the athletic program (specifically football) in the public's eye.  If this scenario becomes reality, Curley will have a lot of questions to answer, and his answer to those questions will decide how the public and the Penn State faithful will perceive him.  How Curley responds to media and victims' families will define his legacy within the Penn State athletic department and will either make him or break him.  Sadly, I don't believe this scenario will become reality, but if it does the Penn State athletic department will be given the opportunity to salvage at least part of, though not all of, its reputation.  I believe this scenario has a 15 percent chance of becoming reality 

3.  Scenario No. 3: Jerry Sandusky and Tim Curley both found innocent of all charges.  

I find the reality of this scenario extremely hard to believe.  It isn't often that someone is found not guilty when they are faced with four or five counts of sexual abuse, nevertheless 40 counts.  This scenario would mean Penn State is innocent of all wrongdoing and the public's focus would shift from the athletic apartment to the claims of the victims.  As a Penn State alum I wish this scenario would come true, but I give it a .0001 percent of becoming reality.

There is no way that Penn State escapes this scandal without being tarnished in some way by what has transpired, but that is not what is important.  What is important, and what we all must understand—whether you are an avid Penn State fan or not—is the fact that lives were damaged and years of eight young men's lives were horribly taken away and tragically altered by the actions of a trusted individual who abused his power.

Wait until the dust settles to pass your judgment on Penn State and its athletic department.  Observe how Penn State responds to the results of this trial and how the university extends support and care to the victims of this scandal.  While there was undoubtedly wrongdoing in large part by the administration within Penn State, including the offer to pay for Curley's legal fees, how Penn State responds to the verdict of this case will truly exhibit how much integrity and character Penn State has.

This scandal reminds us all that in ever walk of life and in all occupations there are evil people whose true desires are to take advantage of people.  If found guilty, Penn State and its administration will have a lot of questions to answer and will have some serious decisions to make.  Until that point the public needs to focus on educating themselves on how to ensure scandals like these do not take place.  

In the face of adversity we realize what people are truly made of and who they truly are.  Its time for Penn State, its athletic department and its enormous fan base to find out what it is truly made of.