Rodney Erickson: What Penn State President Must Say in Press Conference

Rodney Erickson, the newly installed president of Penn State University, has more than his share of challenges to address. One of the first, though far from the easiest, will be this afternoon’s press conference following the conclusion of the Nittany Lions’ football game against Nebraska.

Erickson needs to demonstrate that he is ready to lead the university through the process of atoning, as best it can, for the damage that has been done, both by Jerry Sandusky’s alleged actions and by the attempts to cover them up.

With those concerns in mind, here are some key points the new president must make this afternoon:
 

1. Put the Focus Back Where It Belongs

The occasion for the press conference may be a football game, but that’s far from the point to be made.

Erickson must emphasize that everything else in this case is secondary to the victims and their families, and that the school will do everything possible both to help them and to provide them with whatever measure of justice there can be for the horrible abuses they’ve allegedly suffered.

2. Highlight Progress So Far

The student-organized Blue Out in the stands at today’s game, aimed at raising awareness of child abuse, is an encouraging sign that the PSU community at large is working to make amends. Erickson needs to commend this kind of demonstration and other constructive responses (both football and non-football related) to the trying times ahead of the university.

3. Stress Accountability

There is, understandably, a great deal of cynicism surrounding the university’s internal investigation into the scandal. Erickson needs to reinforce the idea that the school is committed to punishing everyone involved in concealing Sandusky’s alleged crimes.

4. Look To the Future

Ideally, Erickson would also announce some substantive new step in the rebuilding effort. Canceling the remainder of the PSU football season, though it would be a good way to acknowledge the seriousness of everything that has happened, is probably a decision too big to be made by the time Erickson will have to go in front of the cameras.

More plausible, and still a step in the right direction, would be to announce that Penn State will not play in a bowl game this year. Although it’s unfortunate that the current players would have to suffer for the sins of others, a symbolic gesture such as opting out of the postseason would show that Erickson and the university are starting to get their priorities back in order.