Report: Joe Paterno, PSU officials, hid "critical facts" about Sandusky child abuse

[Auggie]

ESPN.com news services / 7-12-12

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno and other senior officials "concealed critical facts" about Jerry Sandusky's child abuse because they were worried about bad publicity, an internal investigation into the scandal concluded.

The 267-page report released Thursday is the result of an eight-month inquiry by former FBI director Louis Freeh, hired by university trustees weeks after Sandusky was arrested in November to look into what has become one of sports' biggest scandals.

The report concluded that Paterno, president Graham Spanier, athletic director Tim Curley and vice president Gary Schultz "failed to protect against a child sexual predator harming children for over a decade."

"In order to avoid the consequences of bad publicity, the most powerful leaders at the university -- Spanier, Schultz, Paterno and Curley -- repeatedly concealed critical facts relating to Sandusky's child abuse," the report said.

MORE: http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8159195/report-says-penn-state-nittany-lions-senior-officials-disregarded-children-welfare

The report says sexual abuse might have been prevented as early as 1998 had officials had banned Sandusky from bringing children onto campus after a complaint by a woman whose son came home with wet hair after showering with Sandusky. The report says President Schultz was worried about opening a "Pandora's box."

I'm curious how this report will play out in court. Even if it doesn't, these guys are toast.

[Goblinmonger]

1. They better not play football this season.

This is far worse than what SMU did.

[Condem]

5. Going to be interesting what the NCAA does to PSU as far as football sanctions...

...it would be perfectly within their right to shut the program down under the 'lack of institutional control' statute. But will they? Somehow, with all the $$$ at stake, I highly doubt it. The hypocrisy of the NCAA is mind-numbing.

[JonLP24]

11. I don't think it would apply

"lack of institutional control" refers to generally not taking actions to violations of NCAA rules. I agree the NCAA is a hypocrite which is why I feel "lack of institutional control" doesn't apply. Unlike athletes, coaches actually have labor rights so I don't think there are many NCAA rules that apply to hiring, not firing, etc. of coaches.

[El Supremo]

2. Poll - Should Penn State take down Joe Paterno statue on campus?

http://www.nj.com/collegefootball/index.ssf/2012/07/should_penn_state_take_down_jo.html

76% for - so far.

Also similar at: http://www.nesn.com/2012/07/vote-should-penn-states-joe-paterno-statue-be-taken-down.html

And: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/07/12/vote-should-the-joe-paterno-statue-at-penn-state-come-down/

[madinmaryland]

3. JoPA: "We are Number One....

in child abuse"

[Auggie]

4. Thanks El ... I just voted

[El Supremo]

7. I am greatly surprised at this poll:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/fp/flashPollResultsState?sportIndex=frontpage&pollId=142842

But I never was a Paterno or Penn State fan.

[rocktivity]

9. .

rocktivity

[El Supremo]

10. or...

[Liberal_Dog]

6. This Is Just Horrific

Even if the NCAA doesn't shut the program down, how the hell could any parent send their kids there and why would any student-athlete want to go there?

[joeybee12]

8. It is...it makes me sick...the whole Paterno apologist line was

he was an old guy who didn't know how to handle such a situation...hell no...he knew what he was doing.

[Scurrilous]

12. Report: Paterno statue to be removed this weekend

<snip>

"NFL Network reporter Kim Jones reported Friday that Penn State plans to take down the Joe Paterno statue outside of Beaver Stadium.

The public outcry for the removal of Paterno's statue was sparked by the release of the independent investigation by former FBI director Louis Freeh, whose findings were made public July 12. In the report, Freeh's investigative team revealed Paterno allegedly had detailed knowledge of activity involving Jerry Sandusky before and after Sandusky retired in 1999.

Nike announced it would change the name of its childcare center the day the Freeh report was issued. Penn State students changed the name of the student camp the week of home football games to "Nittanyville" last week."

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/report-paterno-statue-removed-weekend-152009310--ncaaf.html

[Auggie]

13. I want to know what becomes of it