This isn't how it was supposed to end. I suppose that's only too obvious. Nobody could have ever predicted that it would be involvement in an alleged child-abuse cover up that finally put down Joe Paterno. But it's not a fitting end for a man who deserved so much more.
The title of this post is not hyperbole. It's not just the college football world that's turned it's eye to Penn State, it's curious individuals from every corner of the globe. And perhaps its only when Al-Jazeera feels it necessary to chime in with a report on the case that has rocked State College that you realize the true scope of these alleged crimes and cover-ups.
Lawyers for both deposed Athletic Director Tim Curley and the now-resigned Vice President for Finance and Business have released statements, reiterating their clients' innocence. Caroline Roberto, Curley's attorney, compared the charge of "failure to report" to a speeding ticket, because the two are both summary offenses. She also said that the perjury charge was a "last resort," claming that prosecutors "charge it when they can’t prove the person did anything wrong."
Penn State's student radio station, The Lion WKPS-FM, has cited sources in a tweet indicating that Urban Meyer purchased a house in Boalsburg. Rumors surrounding Urban Meyer's potential involvement as Penn State's next head coach have swirled for months, ever since he stepped down from his post at Florida. Although these reports are yet uncorroborated, it's reasonable to trust in the integrity of the radio station.
At last night's Board of Trustees meeting, Tim Curley was granted administrative leave, stepping down from his position as Penn State's Athletic Airector. In his stead, Graham Spanier appointed Mark Sherburne, a senior administrator in the athletic department.
For the past three years, Sherburne has been Penn State's Associate Athletic Director for Administration. Sherburne works with all 29 of Penn State's varsity teams to ensure NCAA compliance and is the administrator of Penn State's Varsity "S" Club and Football Letterman's Club.
Given the nature of Jerry Sandusky's alleged crimes, and just how complicit some highly-respected members of the Penn State family are said to have been, it's hard to be outraged against anything else. This is a dark day for our university, likely the darkest. There is no silver lining to what's happened. And what's far worse than the black mark that this will be against Penn State is how the alleged affair irreversibly changed the lives of so many young children. It is a tragedy of the utmost proportions.