Penn State Scandal: Latest News and Analysis

Of all the news surrounding Penn State lately, perhaps the most important and threatening news to arise from the situation is that the University could face the death penalty.

The death penalty for a college football program is exactly what it sounds like. It gives the NCAA the power to ban a school from competing in a sport for at least one year, and it’s the harshest penalty the NCAA can dish out.

Although it’s unlikely, the NCAA does hold the power to give Penn State the death penalty after all the events that have occurred with Jerry Sandusky, Joe Paterno and the entire football program.

Obviously, the death penalty would be extremely difficult to overcome, especially for a school that has been as clean as Penn State has been. I don’t think this will occur for the program, however, because of the school’s previous unblemished record on NCAA infractions.

The NCAA is typically more lenient on first-time offenders, and this should help Penn State when penalties are given out.

NCAA president Mark Emmert sent a letter to Penn State president Rodney Erickson Thursday regarding the potential consequences and it was released to the public on Friday.

In the letter Emmert cited three specific bylaws the university might have violated. One of the bylaws identifies athletic administrators and coaches as “teachers of young people” who should “do more than avoid improper conduct or questionable acts. Their own moral values must be so certain and positive that those younger and more pliable will be influenced by a fine example.”

Emmert also asked Erickson to answer four questions regarding the situation and the conduct of individuals associated with the university, as well as the school’s ability to monitor the conduct. They asked for a response by Dec. 16, which is less than a month away.

Penn State has done a pretty good job of stopping the bleeding to the best of their abilities, and I expect Erickson to cooperate fully with the NCAA.

It’s a tricky situation, but I have faith that the Nittany Lions will avoid the death penalty. The fact that they basically fired Joe Paterno, athletic director Tim Curley and former president Graham Spanier, shows the NCAA that they are doing whatever they can do to show the NCAA that they’re trying to make things right.

As for the football side of things, Jay Paterno was faced with the question regarding the Big Ten taking his father’s name off of the championship by ESPN on Sports Center.

I thought Paterno answered it perfectly when he told them Penn State would just have to finish out the season strong, win the championship and place Paterno’s name back onto the trophy.

As for all the legal violations and dealing with the NCAA, expect more and more to be revealed as December draws near.