Today's Penn State news is clearly my payback for all the times I've taken pleasure in the pain and suffering of the Tom Cruise's and Tom Brady's of the world. Perhaps I deserve it. But, that doesn't make it any easier. I must say I'm proud of how well Nick is taking things. He's a better man than I am, I guess.
I admit that I'm following all this a bit too closely for a 45-year old man, particularly one who didn't even go to Penn State. But, I'm a Penn State football fan and always have been. Thanks, Dad. Making matters even more complicated, now Hannah and Nick have joined me in drinking the lemonade.
Hannah and Nick's experience with Penn State all started with football. Yes, football. That's why each of them made their first trip to State College. It was football that got them to start falling in love with the place. How could they not fall in love? Good vibes were all around them -- the collective positive energy of the crowd, the happiness that was so in abundance, the sense of togetherness that they saw everywhere. My kids took it all in and wanted to be part of it. I ask you, what's wrong with that? They wanted to be part of the community that they saw around them.
So, when I hear now that these penalties will "correct" Penn State's culture, I ask myself what that means. Penn State football wasn't a win at all costs culture. Good Lord, if it was, Joe Paterno would have been fired back in 2004 after having his fourth losing season in the past five years. The administration would have brought in a hired gun and paid him $4m - $5m per year, like so many other universities have done. The football program would have lowered its academic standards in an attempt to improve recruiting. But, Penn State didn't do any of that. Why not, you ask? Because its culture, the very same culture that the NCAA says now needs to change, wouldn't allow it.
If you want to understand what Penn State's culture really is, please read this statement, issued today, from the Penn State Football Letterman's Club. And, pay particular attention to paragraph three. It's a wonderful response to the self-righteous blathering we had to hear from the NCAA and Mark Emmert this morning.
On behalf of the Penn State Football Letterman’s Club, our thoughts and prayers continue for the victims and their families in the heinous criminal acts of Jerry Sandusky. Their lives have been negatively impacted forever and it is important that their stories are not overshadowed by those continuing to define and sensationalize their narrative.
The penalties and bans imposed on the Penn State Football program by the N.C.A.A. are severely damaging well beyond the stated time frame. Our Club endeavors to stand with all Penn Staters in supporting the current members of the State Football team under the leadership and direction of Coach Bill O’Brien and his staff. Bill is committed to carrying on the successful development of student-athletes that has been a model for the past several decades. There is not a better individual to lead us through these difficult times than Bill and we are fortunate to have him directing the future of Penn State Football.
After listening to Dr. Mark Emmert’s press conference this morning, his assertion that a balance between academics and athletics (specifically Penn State Football) did not exist previously is baseless and intellectually dishonest. It is with great pride that the members of our Club know that we have done it the "right way" for several decades and we will not allow Dr. Emmert’s careless remarks to tarnish the legacy of Penn State Football. The academic standards and the well-documented historic graduation rates at Penn State far exceed the standards set forth by his organization. This is simply one illustration of many over the past several months where the facts do not supersede those with an agenda.
The Penn State Football Letterman’s Club stands united with all current Penn State students, Penn State Alumni, and Penn State fans throughout the world as we remain proud of our University, our reputation, and our traditions. We will defend her honor and the institutions within that have made Penn State a world-class University. The world is soon to learn the true meaning and depth of the credo that defines us…. WE ARE….. PENN STATE!!!!!
Tim Sweeney, President
Justin Kurpeikis, Vice President
Penn State Football Letterman’s Club
