3 days too late

A few days ago I wrote that it was a sad day to be a Penn State alum, well today is a better day to be a Penn State graduate. The board of trustee's made the correct decision to fire PSU President Graham Spanier and football coach Joe Paterno, yes the decision was about 3 days too late, but the board of trustee's finally showed that football program and the President's decision to protect this program was not bigger than the University itself. Paterno did not deserve the right to have a final day in the sun, which is what Saturday's final home game of the season would have turned into; he deserved to be fired via phone call and not be in charge of when he retires. When you are the head of an organization that failed as badly as Penn State (PSU football in particular) did in this instance you lose all rights to determine your fate. One hypothetical question, if it was a 10 year old boy you were related to or knew that was allegedly raped in that shower by Sandusky, would you want Paterno to go out in front of a cheering crowd of over 100,000 people when all he did was pass this information on to his superior?

Sandusky will get his day in court and hopefully an 8 by 8 prison cell for the rest of his life and though Paterno will escape the legal system he is very guilty of moral failure in this situation, which just happens to involve one of the worst crimes imaginable. As more victims come out of the woodwork, you can only hope that it becomes harder and harder for Paterno, McQueary, Curley, and Spanier to look at themselves in the mirror since they allowed Sandusky to contain on his way after he was caught in the act in their football complex way back in 2002. Paterno clearly didn't get it, he promised to "serve the university for his remaining days on this earth" in his final prepared statement, really? How about the innocent victims who have had their lives ruined by Sandusky's actions and Paterno and Co.'s inaction? With the Penn State housecleaning in process McQueary should not be allowed near the field this weekend or any other weekend of Penn State football. If interim coach Tom Bradley or the interim AD won't make this decision then the board of trustee's should. The last few weeks of this season can't end quickly enough and that is shame for the players on this year's team who are caught up in the biggest college sports scandal ever, but it is the truth. Only a full housecleaning of the PSU football program and decision makers and new people making in those positions will allow the University, town, and state to move forward.

As for the "kids" who rioted after the decision to fire Paterno was made, as someone who witnessed a riot in Beaver canyon when the basketball team lost to Temple in the sweet 16 during the '01 tourney, all I can say is that PSU students have always liked the riot more than the reason for it. My advice would be to read the Grand Jury indictment and lay off the Wednesday night happy hours. As more of the victims come forward and reveal their stories they are more pain (emotionally and financial) in store for PSU and anyone associated with the school, but at least the board of trustee's restored order with the much needed firing of Paterno and Spanier.