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How about Pat Fitzgerald?
Penn State needs a coach. How about Pat Fitzgerald. Young, Big Ten guy. What do you think?
Let’s Go State!!!
Today’s predication: Penn State 17, Nebraska 13
We Alumni Won’t Let Sandusky And Others Tear Down Our University
As a proud Penn State alum (‘93), I like many others in this great nation, are trying to understand the events that continue to unfold in “Happy” Valley. One week ago today, we, as football fans, were thrilled with where our team was going in the Big Ten Championship race and were happy to know our group of misfit players had a nice weekend off to enjoy before a dangerous stretch of three games to end the season.
Of course, before last Friday was over, Hurricane Sandusky arrived and soon it became clear that what so many of us valued for so long was gone forever. I’ve read a lot of comments about these events in the past week and there seems to have formed two separate camps, which is unfortunate as I will soon explain.
On one side are those folks that seem to now recognize the terror that Sandusky caused and understand that changes at the University were/are necessary, even if that means Joe Paterno needed to be fired. In this group are also those fans that felt that Paterno should have been left to coach a few more games, but those in that group seem to be dropping each hour. These are the fans that are still looking forward to Saturday’s game, with many making the trip up to State College to tailgate with friends and ready to cheer on their team.
On the other side are those that are reading the headlines and have concluded that not only should Paterno, Spanier, and the others twist on the stake, but Penn State itself should close up shop forever. For these folks, they are aghast that “football trumps academics,” and say to themselves and to to others that will listen “how can they think about a football game at a time like this?”
Here’s the problem with both sides: Just as Penn State is bigger than football, so are those of us that represent the school as alumni, employees and yes, fans. For us, Penn State isn’t just ‘about football,’ nor is it just ‘about academics.’ Penn State, rightly or wrongly, is a combination of the two and so much more.
Those making the trek to State College tomorrow aren’t ‘forgetting about the victims’ nor are they discounting what has happened. Rather, they are celebrating an institution - no matter how flawed - that is part of their DNA. As such, they will cheer on the team, wear blue for the victims, and dedicate themselves to making their school better than ever.
For those outsiders who want to send Penn State to the trash heap, I’ll say this. A lot of people made a lot of mistakes in this fiasco, starting with Sandusky and going down from there. However, that doesn’t diminish all that is good about the institution nor does that mean we shouldn’t be allowed to carryon. Penn State will regroup, new leaders will emerge, and those that had anything to do with this scandal will pay with their freedom and/or livelihood.
On that note, I say… We Are…Penn State!
A message from Interim Penn State President Rodney Erickson
This is one of the saddest weeks in the history of Penn State. It has been
difficult to comprehend the horrific nature of the allegations that were
revealed in the Attorney General’s presentment last week. As a member of the
Penn State community for 34 years, as a parent, and as a grandfather, I find
the charges as they have been described to be devastating, and my heart goes
out to those who have been victimized and their families. This is a terrible
tragedy for everyone involved, and it will take some time to bring a measure
of understanding and resolution to the community.
In addition to the legal process under way, Penn State’s Board of Trustees has
authorized a full investigation “…to determine what failures occurred, who
is responsible, and what measures are necessary to insure that this never
happens at our University again and that those responsible are held fully
accountable.” As those involved pursue their cases, I also urge you, as Penn
Staters, to be patient, to avoid speculation, and to refrain from passing
judgment until the facts are known.
As you are now aware, the Board of Trustees has asked me to serve as the
interim president of Penn State effective immediately. I undertake these
duties with a firm sense of resolve, and I ask for your support as we move
forward. And move forward, we must and we will.
Penn State has a long and storied tradition that has endured for more than 150
years. Our roots are deep, our constitution is resilient, and the importance
of our work is as vital today as it was last week - perhaps even more so in
the face of such adversity. We are 96,000 students, 46,000 employees, and
more than a half a million alumni. We are 24 campuses across the Commonwealth
and a World Campus. We are a university that is committed to its core values
of honesty, integrity, and community. We are a university that will rebuild
the trust and confidence that so many people have had in us for so many
years.
Through your conduct every day, you can play a role in restoring the
integrity, honor, and pride that have always characterized Penn State. I share
your anger and sadness in this time, but always remember that your actions
reflect on the entire Penn State community. Please set an example that will
make us all proud. Moving forward is the only responsible course to take in
the coming months. I ask for the full support of our faculty, students, staff,
and alumni, and in return I will do my best to lead this institution through
the challenges ahead.
Thank you for being a part of Penn State.
Read the full story on Live: http://live.psu.edu/story/56307#nw44
Joe Paterno Needs To Go Now
Joe Paterno might like to coach at Penn State until the end of the season, but I’ve concluded that this would be bad on a number of different levels.
First and foremost, short of Penn State forfeiting the rest of its games, each game from here on out will become a lightening rod for those folks that just want Paterno gone. Plus, while Saturday’s home game would be bad enough with Paterno walking the sideline, can you imagine what would happen next week at Ohio State? What about if Penn State makes it to the Big Ten Championship game? Absolutely terrible.
Second, letting Paterno coach sends a very, very bad message to Jerry Sandusky’s victims. It would show - in my opinion - that Paterno cares about the kids (after all, he’s resigned), but hey, there is still football to be played. Again, what a bad message to send.
Finally, the kids on this year’s team deserve better. Saturday should be about the game on the field and about the seniors playing at home for the last time. As such, Penn State should let Tom Bradley coach, along with the other assistants for the rest of the year. Then in January, the University should clean house.
Before I go, one other thing. Rumors are swirling that Amos Alonzo Stagg’s family is rethinking whether they want the coach’s name to sit alongside Paterno’s on the Big Ten Championship trophy. I agree - to a point. My suggestion is that the Big Ten take both names off the trophy and figure out another way to celebrate Stagg’s accomplishments. As for Paterno, the league should let time decide whether the coach should be celebrated in his own right.
As a Penn State graduate, these are terrible times. What Jerry Sandusky did was absolutely terrible and in the end, there are no winners here. Fortunately, I and other alumni won’t let the actions of a few bring down the University we so love.
We Are (Forever)…. Penn State
Note - this was originally posted on my primary blog, My Lost Weekend.
Hello. Again!
From 2002-10, PSUFootball.com has been the home to Nittany Lion Magazine. Although we shuttered this unofficial home for Penn State football earlier this year, it will return. Our plan is to begin adding new posts very soon and be fully operational in 2012.
We’ll keep you updated.
