stebo0728 wrote:Honestly, I was thinking about this more on the way into the office this morning. Comparing SMU and Penn are really apples and oranges. SMU's problems were sports related, and their sanctions were in kind. Really the only sports related part of Penn's problem was the fact that the football program was the program at fault. What if it had been the Science program, the Fine arts program? I dont really think Penn's sanctions should have been sports related. The fines are fine, but just fine the school, and the school can determine where the loss goes. The current players in football had nothing to do with this, why are they punished? I just think now that it was handled a bit wrong.
I had thought about that aspect too, but at the end of the day, the football program is very much at the epicenter of PSU's problem. The executives in charge put the football program ahead of the welfare of innocent children, covering it up, allowing it to continue under noses, and then lying about is downright sickening. "Winning at all costs" is not what collegiate sports are about. Unfortunately there are many that still embrace that concept.
What I like about the penalties is that it does not stop football at PSU. The players will continue to play in front of sell out crowds yelling at the top of their lungs "we are Penn State" (I guess they need to remind themselves every so often so they don't forget). The vendors and town can continue to make living off the program, and people will still watch them on beat hapless Division II &III teams early every season to pad their record. As far as player impact, Those players whose main goal is bowl exposure enroute to a pro career (instead of school pride), are free to seek their fame elsewhere without question.
The $60 million represents one year of football revenue. It's not going to bankrupt PSU as their endowment is measured in Billons.
As far as the vacating wins, that's more more a punishment against Paterno and his legacy than hurting the players who played in those games. The players still have the memories of playing together as a team. The fact that NCAA took away those wins in the archives should not make that big a difference.
If they want to be angry at anyone,they should be angry at Paterno and the 3 stooges.