Penn State President on his way out today (apparently)
According to a Pennsylvania newspaper report, Penn State President Graham Spanier will either resign or be fired by the end of the day.
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2011/11/penn_state_president_graham_sp.html
November 9th, 2011 at 6:04 PM ^
The police already knew about Sandusky.. Calling them wasn't necessarily going to make any difference.
Really? unbelievble, just unbelievable I don't know what else to say
November 9th, 2011 at 3:02 PM ^
What prestige is left? Are you serious?
November 9th, 2011 at 3:08 PM ^
Things will eventually quiet down and a more complete story will come out. PSU is a huge megaversity, the school isn't going anywhere.
How they handle this is going to be important for them. You can't believe that they are at the point where it doesn't matter what they do.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:25 PM ^
I approve this move. Penn State has been known as a squeaky clean program. If they want to differentiate themselves in some degree from the Miami's and Ohio's of the world (or you know do the right), you show that you have no tolerance for this sort of scandal.
I hope for their sakes they can have some plan or someone new in place before signing day and give the university a little time to recover in that regard.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:33 PM ^
I am not going to defend him. But Graham Spanier is a very interesting and a very media-savvy guy, who seemingly has a more-than-average interest in athletic administration, and just for my own edification, I'd very much like to hear his side of the story. I can only presume that Spanier's side of the story involves exactly what or wasn't said to any law enforcement people. Or perhaps the University's own counsel. Whatever the story is, my guess is that there is some complexity to it, and that Spanier's actions or inactions had some basis to them.
As I say, I have no intention of defending Spanier or anybody else at Penn State. I don't think I have ever quite gotten used to PSU as a member of the Conference. But I have seen Spanier speak, and he's a very intelligent fellow, with quite a lot to say.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:33 PM ^
Yes, he says such intelligent things like "I want to offer my unconditional support to [those guys who covered up child rape]".
November 9th, 2011 at 4:11 PM ^
I'm not sure. If he did, I gather that he didn't perjure himself.
The quote from Spanier in your post might well have been the thing that costs Spanier his job. And if that's the case, it was not an intelligent thing to say.
Again, I am not offering a shred of any defense for anyone in Happy Valley. I don't particularly like the school or its football program. I just like more information, and hearing all sides.
Edit. - Graham Spanier did testify before the Grand Jury. And obviously unlike Curley and Schultz, Spanier has not been charged with perjury. As far as I can tell, Curley and Schultz testified that they were given information, which they reported to Spanier. And since Curley and Schultz had both testified that they had not been informed of any sexual assault (just 'horsing around'), it would be hard to claim that they told Spanier about any sexual assault. Whether it is true or not, it would seem that Curley and Schultz insulated Spanier.
For his part, Spanier testified that Curley and Schultz reported the matter to him in 2002, in the way that Curley and Schultz have each explained themselves; that there had indeed been an occurrence of some kind involving Sandusky and a child in the locker room, but that it had not been sexual in nature.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:33 PM ^
I have no idea what the ultimate findings will be of what Spanier knew and when. For all I know he could end up exonerated on this Sandusky ugliness. But he lost my support when earlier this week he said he was "completely comfortable" with the way the AD & others handled the situation. It displays an ignorant, circle-the-wagons, knee-jerk response to a serious crisis, and that kind of statement is not worthy of a president of an institution like PSU.
Whatever other mistakes in judgment he made, that one alone was enough to disappoint me.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:35 PM ^
It's a start. Now they need to finish what they started.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:35 PM ^
at Paterno Shame University.
How does the Board fire the President before firing the coach? Only if they feel Joe's "legacy" is more important than doing the "right" thing and firing all involved. Just another shining example of how money runs everything.
The university will never "fire" Paterno. Allowing him to coach another day is so hypocritical. They are making Gene Smith and Gordon Gee look smart at this point.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:35 PM ^
may take over in the interim.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:40 PM ^
As a PA native, the Ridge thing is interesting. He's well liked in the Commonwealth by most people, since when he was the Governor we tended to run a surplus and have above average social services. He's one of the few strong figures in the state that could fire Paterno and walk away with no issues. People would say "Well if Tom felt it had to be done...." and accept it. I wonder if he'll come in, fire people left and right, lead a search for replacements and then bail out. Normally that's why you bring in a big gun like Ridge.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:38 PM ^
and some dust settles, the NCAA will announce they are investigating PSU for some violations over the last five years. They just wouldn't do it while he's there. Since his legacy is shit now, the NCAA won't look like they are the bad guys. We'll probably hear of major violations over the course of the last 10 years or more, but they can't do anything about them.
The foundation of that school is breaking apart before our very eyes.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:45 PM ^
Not trying to be a jerk, but what are you talking about?
November 9th, 2011 at 1:41 PM ^
of PA and former Homeland Security guy will probably be named preident of the University. Problem is he won't have the balls to fire Paterno either. He needs to go before Saturday, but the students would riot and it would look like EL.
November 9th, 2011 at 3:05 PM ^
If history serves me correct
November 9th, 2011 at 1:41 PM ^
(link)
November 9th, 2011 at 1:42 PM ^
per wikipedia, "He has also held leadership roles in other organizations, such as: president of the National Council on Family Relations chairman of the Board of Directors of the Christian Children's Fund..."
And Section 1, I don't think anyone is saying he's not media savvy or intelligent and articulate. The fact is, though, that as the head of the University and as someone who was apparently aware of these allegations, the buck stops with him. He is the one ultimately responsible for the failings of his people. Maybe he's falling on his sword, but I think that it is appropriate in this case.
November 9th, 2011 at 1:57 PM ^
He can fall on this....
November 9th, 2011 at 1:58 PM ^
talk about being a HYPOCRITE
November 9th, 2011 at 2:36 PM ^
....that you never have another position with any school ever again, Mr. Spanier. Actually, have fun trying to find another job period.
November 9th, 2011 at 2:47 PM ^
Good. They need to clean up a whole mess there, and it should start at the top.
November 9th, 2011 at 3:48 PM ^
what size civil lawsuits could penn state be facing if it is proven that sexual assults were committed after admins knew they had been happening?
November 9th, 2011 at 3:51 PM ^
doom size.
November 9th, 2011 at 5:39 PM ^
Penn State might as well find a way to raise money to retire the national debt if this gets much bigger (and it likely will).
November 9th, 2011 at 6:08 PM ^
I'd guess high 8, low 9 figures collectively, obviously depending on how many victims.
November 9th, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^
Additionally, what penalties are possible with the Department of Education starting its own investigation?
November 9th, 2011 at 5:37 PM ^
I think Spanier could have avoided this if he didn't knee-jerk his way into offering unconditional support of his employees who'd been charged with a crime. Didn't really think that one through. There's other media-speak he could have used that would've been a lot more appropriate; how hard would it have been to say that he acknowledges the seriousness of the situation and will let the law run its course?
November 9th, 2011 at 9:49 PM ^
Now everyone is beginning to see why universities want their own police force instead of relying upon the local police. It's so much easier to cove things up.