Tomorrow night, on Wednesday May 29 sportscaster Bob Costas will air a
long-awaited discussion about the Sandusky scandal. He has been
rumored to have second thoughts after the Paterno family commissioned a
report authored by former US Attorney General Richard Thornburgh
regarding the Freeh Report's inadequacies.
According to ESPN: "In addition to
Thornburgh, former FBI supervisory special agent and former state
prosecutor James Clemente, and Dr. Fred Berlin, a treating physician,
psychiatrist, psychologist and expert in sexual disorders and
pedophilia at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and School of Medicine,
contributed independent evaluations of the Freeh Report." The report
was entitled "The Rush To Injustice Regarding Joe Paterno."
According
to NBC's Vice President of Communications Adam Freifeld, “(The Freeh
Report) will be the focus of Costas Tonight tomorrow at 11pm ET
following hockey on NBCSN.”
Is this good news or bad news for Penn State fans waiting to hear some positive news about the role of Joe Paterno in this scandal? It remains to be seen what Costas will say and what he will conclude.
One has to ask about the timing of this broadcast. The show is not exactly prime time coverage!
Those
of us who have lived through this saga remember all too well how
overly-consuming the media coverage was in November of 2011. Prime time
coverage was not a problem when it came to media suggestions that
former Penn State head coach and college football icon Joe Paterno was
somehow at fault for not stopping Sandusky's crimes.
As to any effort at vindication, it appears to me that the media has given such news second fiddle at best.
Here is what John Ziegler, independent documentary film maker and creator of the website www.framingpaterno.com has to say:
"Having
spoken to Bob Costas twice about the facts of the case and the nature
of the show he might do on this, I am confident that he will take a
fair and objective second look at the facts here. Unfortunately, he
will not be taking an advocacy role here and the size of that audience at
the time with limited time to promote won't be ideal."
Bob
Costas' show will air on NBCSC immediately after the hockey program is
concluded. That is anticipated to be about 11 p.m. EST on Wednesday.
Photo panorama - View From Our Seats - Penn State vs Iowa 2011 - by Carolyn M. Todd
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Penn State Football: It's About That Culture Thing
Why did Louis Freeh determine that Penn State had a so-called "football culture"?
In his report, Freeh states the following key finding:
"In the Fall of 2000, a University janitor observed Sandusky sexually assault a young boy in the East Area Locker Building and advised co-workers of what he saw. Also that evening, another janitor saw two pairs of feet in the same shower, and then saw Sandusky and a young boy leaving the locker room holding hands. Fearing that they would be fired for what they saw, neither janitor reported the incidents to university officials, law enforcement, or child protective agencies."
Later in his report, Freeh describes an interview with one of the janitors involved: "Janitor B explained to the Special Investigative Counsel that reporting the incident 'would have been like going against the President of the United States in my eyes.' 'I know Paterno has so much power, if he wanted to get rid of someone, I would have been gone.' He explained, 'football runs this University,' and said the University would have closed ranks to protect the football program at all costs."
And so according to Freeh, even though a more senior janitor discussed with these two janitors how to report what they saw, the two janitors involved decided that because they were fearful of losing their jobs, they would not report a tremendously awful crime. Or at least that's what they told Freeh twelve years after it happened.
In his report, Freeh states the following key finding:
"In the Fall of 2000, a University janitor observed Sandusky sexually assault a young boy in the East Area Locker Building and advised co-workers of what he saw. Also that evening, another janitor saw two pairs of feet in the same shower, and then saw Sandusky and a young boy leaving the locker room holding hands. Fearing that they would be fired for what they saw, neither janitor reported the incidents to university officials, law enforcement, or child protective agencies."
Later in his report, Freeh describes an interview with one of the janitors involved: "Janitor B explained to the Special Investigative Counsel that reporting the incident 'would have been like going against the President of the United States in my eyes.' 'I know Paterno has so much power, if he wanted to get rid of someone, I would have been gone.' He explained, 'football runs this University,' and said the University would have closed ranks to protect the football program at all costs."
And so according to Freeh, even though a more senior janitor discussed with these two janitors how to report what they saw, the two janitors involved decided that because they were fearful of losing their jobs, they would not report a tremendously awful crime. Or at least that's what they told Freeh twelve years after it happened.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Penn State Football: Solid Performances in a Tumultuous Year
This has been an emotional couple of weeks for any Penn State football fan.
The 2012 season ended in a fine way, with a superb win against Indiana, and then a tense, passion-filled finish in overtime against a tough Wisconsin team. In the last two games we saw Matt McGloin and Allen Robinson tie or break offensive records. At the Indiana game we saw linebacker Michael Mauti get injured. And we all cried as he was driven off the field in a cart.
At the Wisconsin game we saw the 31 seniors who stayed despite the NCAA sanctions come out onto the field to be honored.
We watched the year 2012 be put up on the east suites wall in honor of them, something that is normally reserved for undefeated years or championship seasons.
The 2012 season ended in a fine way, with a superb win against Indiana, and then a tense, passion-filled finish in overtime against a tough Wisconsin team. In the last two games we saw Matt McGloin and Allen Robinson tie or break offensive records. At the Indiana game we saw linebacker Michael Mauti get injured. And we all cried as he was driven off the field in a cart.
At the Wisconsin game we saw the 31 seniors who stayed despite the NCAA sanctions come out onto the field to be honored.
We watched the year 2012 be put up on the east suites wall in honor of them, something that is normally reserved for undefeated years or championship seasons.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Penn State Football: Will Renewing Old Rivalries Be Worth It for Penn State?
Especially if the old rivalries do not include Pittsburgh?
With yesterday's announcement that Maryland will be joining the B1G conference in 2014, and with today's announcement that Rutgers will also join, I have been amused by some of the comments on my Facebook home page deriding the additions.
I suppose, if you were looking at these additions from solely a football point of view, and if you weren't one to travel to watch games in person, you might ask, "What's the point?". Penn State has played Maryland in football 37 times. The record against Maryland is 35 wins, one loss, and one tie.
The last time Penn State lost to Maryland was in 1961. One might look at this move and say that Penn State had found another team to beat up on every year. In fact that's what numerous people are saying. Ho hum. So what?
With yesterday's announcement that Maryland will be joining the B1G conference in 2014, and with today's announcement that Rutgers will also join, I have been amused by some of the comments on my Facebook home page deriding the additions.
I suppose, if you were looking at these additions from solely a football point of view, and if you weren't one to travel to watch games in person, you might ask, "What's the point?". Penn State has played Maryland in football 37 times. The record against Maryland is 35 wins, one loss, and one tie.
The last time Penn State lost to Maryland was in 1961. One might look at this move and say that Penn State had found another team to beat up on every year. In fact that's what numerous people are saying. Ho hum. So what?
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Penn State Student-Athletes Host Silent Charity Auction for Penn State Dance Marathon
Head to http://athletesforthekids.cstvauctions.com/gallery.cfm to bid on several different offers related to Penn State sports.
Just a few of the offerings listed are a football autographed by Coach Bill O'Brien, a set of season tickets to women's soccer games, a Penn State golf outing package, behind the scenes with the Lady Lions basketball team, or a photo shoot with the Nittany Lion.
Whether your favorite sport is fencing, lacrosse, football, volleyball, or soccer, there is something for everyone on this list.
Bidding ends on November 19. So support the Student Athlete Advisory Board's initiatives to raise money for a great cause and submit your bid soon!
Just a few of the offerings listed are a football autographed by Coach Bill O'Brien, a set of season tickets to women's soccer games, a Penn State golf outing package, behind the scenes with the Lady Lions basketball team, or a photo shoot with the Nittany Lion.
Whether your favorite sport is fencing, lacrosse, football, volleyball, or soccer, there is something for everyone on this list.
Bidding ends on November 19. So support the Student Athlete Advisory Board's initiatives to raise money for a great cause and submit your bid soon!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Penn State at Nebraska: A Rivalry Mired in Controversy Intensifies
There is no turning back the clock. Not to 1982, when #2 Nebraska played #8 Penn State and lost its chance to play for a national championship due to an errant call on the sidelines.
How do I know that call was errant? A call that Penn State and Nebraska fans have been arguing about for thirty years? What Tom Shatel of the Omaha World-Herald called the "Crooked Sideline"?
Mike McCloskey is the tight end who caught the ball out of bounds that led to Penn State's touchdown and win as time ran out.
At one point in my professional career, before I arrived at Penn State, I happened to talk with someone at work about Penn State football. This man had been a college football official in 1982. I don't even remember his name. But I remember the conversation as if it were yesterday.
How do I know that call was errant? A call that Penn State and Nebraska fans have been arguing about for thirty years? What Tom Shatel of the Omaha World-Herald called the "Crooked Sideline"?
Mike McCloskey is the tight end who caught the ball out of bounds that led to Penn State's touchdown and win as time ran out.
At one point in my professional career, before I arrived at Penn State, I happened to talk with someone at work about Penn State football. This man had been a college football official in 1982. I don't even remember his name. But I remember the conversation as if it were yesterday.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Penn State Football at Purdue: A Damp Cold Day Didn't Dampen Penn State
Self, take note. Next time the weather calls for 30% chance of rain and mid-40's temperatures, pay attention. Assume it will feel like 25 degrees. Because at Ross-Ade stadium it did. In fact it rained quite hard that morning and on the way to the game. I was prepared with rain gear and lots of layers plus a wool hat but needed better protection for my feet and hands.
I hadn't packed my warm toasty waterproof boots nor my Goretex waterproof mittens. Those would have helped immensely! I should also know better. No matter how many games I've been to over the years, that first really cold game of a season always seems like one that I'm not quite prepared for. The Purdue-Penn State game was the first really cold game of the season. And I was very fortunate that it didn't rain during the game. It could have been worse.
I hadn't packed my warm toasty waterproof boots nor my Goretex waterproof mittens. Those would have helped immensely! I should also know better. No matter how many games I've been to over the years, that first really cold game of a season always seems like one that I'm not quite prepared for. The Purdue-Penn State game was the first really cold game of the season. And I was very fortunate that it didn't rain during the game. It could have been worse.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Penn State Football vs Ohio State: Adversity Reigned in Loss to Buckeyes
Earlier this week I was invited on the student-run radio show Motown Mornings to make a prediction for the Penn State-Ohio State clash at Beaver Stadium.
I'm not one to usually predict scores, in fact yesterday morning I was feeling a bit like I might have jinxed the game by predicting that Penn State would pull off a 30-27 win. The actual score was 35-23 for Ohio State.
I was in the right neighborhood on total points scored. But not on the final outcome.
There were, however, a couple of key observations I made on that interview that turned out to be true.
I'm not one to usually predict scores, in fact yesterday morning I was feeling a bit like I might have jinxed the game by predicting that Penn State would pull off a 30-27 win. The actual score was 35-23 for Ohio State.
I was in the right neighborhood on total points scored. But not on the final outcome.
There were, however, a couple of key observations I made on that interview that turned out to be true.
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