Scandal Rocks Penn State Football Legacy

The small town surrounding Penn State University, often referred to as Happy Valley, was shaken to its core as news of a child abuse scandal broke, involving a prominent former assistant football coach and two top university officials. The scandal has rocked the legacy of Coach Joe Paterno, who had built a reputation as a symbol of integrity, family, and principle. The university's president, Graham B. Spanier, and Paterno were sacked this week, while the former assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky, has been charged with sexually abusing eight boys over a 15-year span.

Key Takeaways:

• Coach Joe Paterno, Penn State's 84-year-old head football coach, was connected to the child abuse scandal, which led to his sacking and tarnished his legacy.
• The scandal involves Jerry Sandusky, a former assistant coach, who has been charged with sexually abusing eight boys over a 15-year period.
• Two top university officials, Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, have been charged with perjury and failing to report the allegations to authorities.
• Paterno and Spanier were not charged in the case, but questions have been raised about whether they took adequate action to stop Sandusky.
• Paterno will exit the university with his decency and care for young people called into question as a consequence of his failure to act aggressively on a report of child abuse.
• The scandal has left the campus in a state of depression, with even professors discussing the allegations in class.
• Over 200 students gathered outside Paterno's home to chant "We love you, Joe" after it became clear that the Penn State board of trustees was planning his exit.

Statistics:

• 409: The number of victories Paterno achieved at Penn State, more than any other major college football coach.
• 62: The number of years Paterno coached at Penn State, more than any other head coach at one institution.
• $53 million: The profit of the Penn State football team last year.
• $5 million: The amount of money Paterno personally donated to the university.
• 15 years: The duration of time over which Sandusky allegedly sexually abused eight boys.
• 8: The number of boys Sandusky is accused of sexually abusing.

Sources:

• Bill Pennington, "Joe Paterno Is Fired as Coach at Penn State Amid Scandal Involving a Former Assistant", New York Times, November 9, 2011.
• Associated Press, "Penn State president, coach Paterno fired", USA Today, November 9, 2011.