Whoa! Check out this column from April 3, 2011: Sandusky a State secret

[Are_grits_groceries]

Posted: Sunday, April 3, 2011 11:55 pm | Updated: 4:34 pm, Mon Apr 4, 2011.
Mark Madden
The Jerry Sandusky situation seems a matter of failure to connect certain dots, or perhaps unwillingness in that regard. Lots of people besides the former Penn State defensive coordinator have some explaining to do.

Allegations of improper conduct with an underage male first surfaced in 1998, while Sandusky was still employed by Penn State. That incident allegedly occurred in a shower at Penn State's on-campus football facility. No charges were filed.

Sandusky retired the next year, in 1999. He was 55, prime age for a coach. Odd, to say the least - especially with Joe Paterno thought even then to be ready to quit and Sandusky a likely, openly-discussed successor.

It seems logical to ask: What did Paterno know, and when did he know it? What did Penn State's administration know, and when did they know it?

Best-case scenario: Charges are never brought, and Sandusky walks away with his reputation permanently scarred. The rumors, the jokes, the sideways glances - they won't ever stop. Paterno and Penn State do the great escape.

Worst-case scenario: Sandusky is charged. Then it seems reasonable to wonder: Did Penn State not make an issue of Sandusky's alleged behavior in 1998 in exchange for him walking away from the program at an age premature for most coaches? Did Penn State's considerable influence help get Sandusky off the hook?

Don't kid yourself. That could happen. Don't underestimate the power of Paterno and Penn State in central Pennsylvania when it comes to politicians, the police and the media.
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More:
http://tinyurl.com/c2xrw6h


This whole mishegas was NOT a secret if this column was out. Those idiots underestimated the problem and overestimated their ability to handle the situation. I guess in their isolation in 'Happy Valley' they were in a fog of importance that clouded everything.

I heard on ESPN that the number of victims was up to 20. That hasn't been confirmed, but I'll bet there will be a lot more. This is sad, and most of it could have been avoided. In the short term, there would be bad press, etc. However, after the dust has settled, people would realize that the right thing had been done ASAP. Recovering from that would be much easier than trying to recover from the usual mess.

PSU and Paterno need to remember 'The Law of Holes.' they are way deep as it is.

[Dawson Leery]

1. kick

[CatWoman]

2. i'm reading the Findings of FAct from the investigation

the guy was tremendously reckless. and a first class PIG.

I'm amazed it took so long to indict him.

[fishwax]

3. for the record, this column came out after the grand jury investigation became public

I'm not sure when the news of the 1998 investigation became public, but it might have been with the grand jury investigation.

[Are_grits_groceries]

4. That may be.

However, most people are acting as if this was a bolt from the blue. The info about the grand jury was out, but it certainly wasn't about or it was ignored.

[fishwax]

5. it certainly makes PSU's reaction to Friday's announcement all the more puzzling

You would think, since the grand jury has been underway for about two years, and has been covered in the local press for several months, they would have some kind of response plan in place for the event that Sandusky was charged. But they've been beyond inept. The charges against Schultz and Curley may have been unexpected, but even so.

[Are_grits_groceries]

6. It is perplexing.

I don't think they viewed the situation like most other people do. To them, it was a minor matter that was solved by slapping Sandusky on the wrist. They must have thought that JoePa's reputation would shield them all. I guess they thought uttering his name would scare people away.

That's one reason I believe this is extremely serious and the charges have merit. Paterno is a powerful person in many ways, and I doubt if they would have taken PSU and JoePa on if there wasn't a lot of unimpeachable evidence. We'll find out as the mud rolls downhill, picks up speed, and tarnishes everything in sight.

[alcibiades_mystery]

7. Since most parties testified in December of last year

Yes, none of this should have been a surprise for the communications people.

[Scuba]

8. The author's "best case scenario" is vile. n/t

[Are_grits_groceries]

9. Agreed.

I don't think that is his personal view. I think he is looking at it as the stooges would.