State Sen. Jake Corman, who has established himself as Penn State’s knight in shining armor, addressed the media shortly after news broke that a settlement in his lawsuit against the NCAA would fully repeal the consent decree. The agreement means that all 112 vacated wins have been restored and the $60 million fine will stay in Pennsylvania to benefit victims of child sexual abuse.

“Today is a victory for due process. Today is a victory for the people of Pennsylvania. Today is a victory for Penn State Nation,” Corman said. “The NCAA has surrendered. This is a total repeal of the consent decree, not a settlement. This is akin to the mercy rule. Clearly [the NCAA] was way behind in the case and they gave up.”

“Penn was and is a model athletic department for others to emulate,” Corman said. “But there were many young boys victimized by this monster. I’m not here to exonerate anybody.”

Corman emphasized that this “isn’t just an out-of-court settlement for victories,” saying that the $60 million staying within the commonwealth is the most important part of the agreement announced today. He called out the NCAA for financial motivations, stating that they should consider putting some of the college basketball tournament money towards an important issue like child abuse.

“I feel a total victory today. The fact that the consent decree has been acknowledged as wrong and repealed is a victory for Pennsylvania. I can’t understand the motivations of the NCAA, but clearly if you follow the facts here, there was a manipulation of the process to get a quick outcome.”

Corman elaborated on that manipulation, discussing the likely misleading portrayal that Mark Emmert presented to Penn State interim president Rodney Erickson when discussing the consent decree.

“I’m not here to criticize President Erickson,” Corman said. “He was put in an impossible situation.”

As the press conference winded down, one reporter asked Corman if he thinks that the Paterno statue should go back up. He said that it was a matter for the Board of Trustees to decide, but offered a brief response.

“My own personal opinion? Yes,” he said.

Image: Office of State Sen. Jake Corman