In the midst of perhaps the most emotionally and mentally grueling week of most of our lives, we were left searching. Searching for a sliver of light in the middle of all of the chaos. A light of normalcy. A light of unity. A light of hope. Last night I found more than a singular light. I stood among over 10,000 students, alumni, and State College residents in what was the most beautiful gathering I’ve ever been a part of. So many times this week, we’ve been distraught about our now controversial coaching legend and have forgotten about the chief issues at hand. For about an hour, it wasn’t about Joe Paterno and football, it was about the victims of the Sandusky child abuse scandal and their families.
It’s been five very long days and the only notable words to come from Graham Spanier have been “unconditional support.” Well, now we know why. Two members close to the administration have told the Chronicle that Graham Spanier is following strict orders to stay silent. One of the sources said, "It's tearing Graham up to sit by and watch everything he's done to build up this university over nearly 17 years—and see this individual's alleged acts tear away at it."
This morning, news broke that Penn State athletic director Tim Curley (shown on the right) and Gary Schultz, vice president for finance and business, were charged with perjury and failure to report in an investigation into allegations that former football defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky sexually abused eight young men.
Usually, Saturday mornings in November induce anxious excitement as I make my way to the Holy Grail of Penn State collegiate athletics, Beaver Stadium. But this Saturday was much different.
With #10 Nebraska coming to town next Saturday, Paternoville has announced a weeklong campout set to begin Monday evening. It will be Paternoville's second weeklong of the year, and the last chance for students to participate in Paternoville 2011.
It looks like mother nature is more than willing to contribute to the White Out atmosphere. During the game, expect 38 degrees, steady snow, and light winds. The official forecast from AccuWeather calls for 2-4 inches of snow during the day tomorrow.