Punish Sandusky, Not Penn State

Penn State did not deserve the NCAA sanctions set against them. The penalties did not punish those who were at fault, it harms more than the athletics program, and it was unfair to those not involved. There was no reason to punish an entire school for what essentially 4 people did a decade ago.

Who was at fault for Sandusky's crimes? You can put the blame on 4 people: Sandusky, Paterno, and 2 others previously involved with the athletics program. These 4 individuals won't be punished as a result of the NCAA sanctions. Sandusky is no longer involved with the program in any way. Sandusky will be locked away for a long time, the sanctions will not affect him at all. Neither will the sanctions affect Paterno. He was let go first of all and sadly he has passed away. The other 2 individuals involved will be serving jail time leaving them unaffected by the penalties as well.

There was a 60 million dollar fine as a part of the NCAA sanctions against Penn State. Penn State is facing several lawsuits from Sandusky victims which may cost them hundreds of millions of dollars. The Big Ten Conference will donate Penn State's portion of conference bowl revenue for the next 4 years, projected at $13 million. The school looks to lose close to $15 million each year over the periods laid out by the Big Ten and NCAA. With the $60 million tacked on from the NCAA it could mean cutting scholarships for athletic and non-athletic students. It could also mean cutting professor salaries and things in other educational areas.

It is the Penn State students, fans, and players truly hurt by the NCAA sanctions. None of them had anything to do with what Sandusky did. Penn State will not be a major bowl contender for a long time to come and it is because of the penalties from the NCAA. That hurts no one but the fans, students, players, current coaches, etc. People who had nothing to do with Sandusky's crimes.

The Sandusky case was a criminal case and had nothing to do with football. This was only a reaction from the NCAA who felt like they had to do something and that something had to be big. The NCAA should have left Penn State alone and let the judicial system punish those who were involved.