NCAA dials back penalty against PSU
HARRISBURG — The NCAA's decision to dial back one of the penalties against Penn State for its handling of the Jerry Sandusky molestation scandal has drawn positive reaction from students and others associated with the university, who got some good news after two years of scandal.
College sports' governing body announced Tuesday that it would gradually restore 20 football scholarships, saying the school has already made significant improvements to its athletics programs.
“I think it's great that the NCAA is coming down a little easier,” said 22-year-old Brendan MacBride, a senior from the Philadelphia suburbs who learned of the decision during a criminology class in State College. “They were too hasty to begin with.”
Five scholarships will be restored next year and 15 more will be phased in until the school reaches the limit of 85 in 2016-17, a season earlier than the school had agreed to, the NCAA said.
Joseph Sinclair, 19, a Penn State student from Reading, said the decision was a return to “the way it should've been.”
“They took it out on the kids,” Sinclair said. “But I'm glad they're lifting them and bringing back some scholarships.”
Penn State President Rodney Erickson called it particularly welcome news for student-athletes who want to attend Penn State.
“As we promised throughout this process, we are committed to improving all our policies, procedures and actions,” Erickson said.
The NCAA said the unanimous decision by its executive committee was based on the recommendation of former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, who has been serving as Penn State's athletics integrity monitor.
“This action provides an opportunity to recognize Penn State's significant momentum, while also providing additional opportunities for student-athletes,” said Wake Forest University President Nathan Hatch, chair of the NCAA's Division I board of directors.
The penalties came amid heavy criticism of university leaders' response to complaints about Sandusky. Penn State and the NCAA agreed to the penalties by entering into a consent decree more than a year ago, shortly after Sandusky was convicted of 45 counts of sexual abuse. They also require the school to pay a $60 million fine and serve a four-year ban on postseason play. The NCAA also eliminated 112 wins by the football program.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, whose federal antitrust lawsuit over the penalties was thrown out by a federal judge earlier this year, said the decision showed that “the NCAA is recognizing the important changes and reforms that the university has undertaken and will continue to make moving forward.”
The NCAA said it also may reduce the postseason play ban, depending on the university's future progress.
“This was a positive response to positive action, and as to the future, we'll have to make judgments in the future,” Mitchell said. He said the decision was particularly warranted by the actions of Erickson and other university leaders “in the face of considerable opposition within the Penn State community.”
