Penn State Sandusky scandal: AD arrested, Paterno, Spanier fired; coverup charged #4

[Trident]

Joe Pa didn't retire at 65. He was still working at 84.

The average salary for college football coaches is $1.47 million, which marks an average increase of almost 55% over the last six years. Nearly three dozen coaches are earning over $2 million, and one coach — Texas’ Mack Brown — is clearing $5 million a year.
http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/11/18...es-salaries-just-keep-going-up/#ixzz1ebN6c8qW

Paterno's pension records obtained Tuesday from the State Employees' Retirement System show his average pay over the past three years was $554,000.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/story/2011-11-15/joe-paterno-pension/51223854/1

LSU's Les Miles and Alabama's Nick Saban are considered to be among the highest-paid coaches in the country. Saban's total compensation package called for him to make roughly $3.8 million this year, a figure that includes his base salary from the university plus compensation for personal services from other sources.

Paterno's compensation did not come from state appropriations or student tuition since he worked for Penn State Athletics, a self-supporting department funded largely through ticket sales.

ALL of those salaries are obscene when people all over the world, and in this country are starving and doing without. No wonder our world is in such a mess, including these charges of raping children. Wasn't it one of the Ceasars that said, "Give them circuses," as Rome was falling down around their ears? Well, reading those salaries, and reading today's headlines, it seems to me we're in the same boat.

I don't care how many coaches make the big bucks, that only makes it more obscene. College football is BIG business, no wonder no one wanted to rock the boat and do the right thing.

:cow:

 

[Pensfan]

Now the AP is also reporting she was turned away from the pool. Maybe there is something to this story.

"person who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation said Wednesday night the rejection left the family saddened.
http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/art...turned-away-at-pool-2287203.php#ixzz1ebS1a5M2


There are three pools to swim in at Penn State. The outdoor pool is closed because it is too cold outside. The Natatorium and the White Building pools are also closed because of Thanksgiving break and no lifeguards (most kids go home at Thanksgiving.)
http://www.athletics.psu.edu/rec/nat/documents/NatGridSchedule.pdf
http://www.athletics.psu.edu/rec/whitebldg/documents/THANKSGIVING2011.pdf

If this story isn't bogus, maybe elderly Mrs. Patterno didn't understand the pools were all closed on Wednesday. She could buy a swim pass for a few dollars a day just like everyone else in town even if her husband is not faculty.


• Single Admission -- $5.00
• Student Semester Membership is included in your Fitness Membership: purchase online
• Faculty / Staff Semester Membership -- $70.00/Semester
• Faculty / Staff Annual Membership -- $155.00
• Community Semester Membership -- $78.00/Semester
• Community Annual Membership -- $180.00
• Lost pass - $5.00 single replacement; Full charge for the second time the pass is lost.
http://www.athletics.psu.edu/rec/nat/admission.asp

 

[LRinCA]

1/inappropriate contact - I have no faith that JS understands what inappropriate contact means

2/with his grandkids - but not others...did Amendola slip up and tell the truth again?

That's what I was wondering. It reminds me of this:

The entire interview didn't air on NBC last night and Costas said one of the most surprising things that Sandusky revealed is that "there was one exchange where he said there are many boys, hundreds of boys, who didn't object to my methods and were helped by being around me."


http://www.csnchicago.com/ncaa/news/Costas-on-how-Sandusky-interview-came-ab?blockID=594358



(I'm trying to find the exact wording for that part - I know it was posted on one of the other threads)

 

[LRinCA]

OMG.

I had read a portion of this soon after it aired but apparently not all of it.

Surely he didn't actually say "sexual needs!"

"Well -- you might think that," Sandusky said. "I don't know. (LAUGHS) In terms of -- my relationship with so many, many young people. I would -- I would guess that there are many young people who would come forward. Many more young people who would come forward and say that my methods and -- and what I had done for them made a very positive impact on their life. And I didn't go around seeking out every young person for sexual needs that I've helped. There are many that I didn't have -- I hardly had any contact with who I have helped in many, many ways."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/c...-sexual-helped-article-1.977730#ixzz1ebWiWOqy

 

[Reader]

"person who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation said Wednesday night the rejection left the family saddened.
http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/art...turned-away-at-pool-2287203.php#ixzz1ebS1a5M2


There are three pools to swim in at Penn State. The outdoor pool is closed because it is too cold outside. The Natatorium and the White Building pools are also closed because of Thanksgiving break and no lifeguards (most kids go home at Thanksgiving.)
http://www.athletics.psu.edu/rec/nat/documents/NatGridSchedule.pdf
http://www.athletics.psu.edu/rec/whitebldg/documents/THANKSGIVING2011.pdf

If this story isn't bogus, maybe elderly Mrs. Patterno didn't understand the pools were all closed on Wednesday. She could buy a swim pass for a few dollars a day just like everyone else in town.


• Single Admission -- $5.00
• Student Semester Membership is included in your Fitness Membership: purchase online
• Faculty / Staff Semester Membership -- $70.00/Semester
• Faculty / Staff Annual Membership -- $155.00
• Community Semester Membership -- $78.00/Semester
• Community Annual Membership -- $180.00
Lost pass - $5.00 single replacement; Full charge for the second time the pass is lost.
http://www.athletics.psu.edu/rec/nat/admission.asp

I'm starting to wonder what is going on with this also...the original link posted stated:

Sue Paterno used Penn State facilities to swim and exercise everyday, the source said, but was told Wednesday morning that she could no longer use the facilities.

'no longer use the facilities' sounds like a permanent thing to me, not just for the holiday.

Wonder if this is true, is it because he was fired instead of being allowed to retire? In the 'firing' terms, did the family lose all their privileges? But it seems to me she would have known that...

 

[LRinCA]

I've assumed all along that he was fired. I also assumed the same with Spanier until just a few days ago when I read that he had offered to quit which apparently left the stigma of being fired out of it.

I really can't imagine being fired from a place and ever thinking that I was entitled to any privileges from that institution; however, as Pensfan said - she could just as easily pay the $5 but perhaps the stress associated with his firing and then his subsequent cancer diagnosis has left her in a fragile mental state.

As an aside, just a few days ago I read that the family had gone over to the athletic building to pick up Paterno's trophies, awards, etc.

 

[Reader]

OMG.

I had read a portion of this soon after it aired but apparently not all of it.

Surely he didn't actually say "sexual needs!"

"Well -- you might think that," Sandusky said. "I don't know. (LAUGHS) In terms of -- my relationship with so many, many young people. I would -- I would guess that there are many young people who would come forward. Many more young people who would come forward and say that my methods and -- and what I had done for them made a very positive impact on their life. And I didn't go around seeking out every young person for sexual needs that I've helped. There are many that I didn't have -- I hardly had any contact with who I have helped in many, many ways."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/c...-sexual-helped-article-1.977730#ixzz1ebWiWOqy

Thanks for that link! Unbelieveable...he has no insight into what he has done or the trouble he is in...I suppose comes from that culture of always being protected...

From your link also...comments from other lawyers:

“My colleagues are absolutely baffled as to why any licensed attorney would allow Sandusky to go on national TV and admit that he was naked in the shower with little boys on at least two occasions, and that he touched little boys all the time,” Harvey said. “He's just given up his Fifth Amendment rights not to incriminate himself. All of that can and will be used against him."

Added Harvey: “The lawyer seems more focused on getting himself on as many national news shows as he can, rather than protecting his client. The only person in the United Sates legally obligated to vigilantly defend Sandusky has taken it upon himself to encourage his client to waive the most basic constitutional right every criminal defendant in the country has — the right to remain silent.”

 

[Reader]

I've assumed all along that he was fired. I also assumed the same with Spanier until just a few days ago when I read that he had offered to quit which apparently left the stigma of being fired out of it.

I really can't imagine being fired from a place and ever thinking that I was entitled to any privileges from that institution; however, as Pensfan said - she could just as easily pay the $5 but perhaps the stress associated with his firing and then his subsequent cancer diagnosis has left her in a fragile mental state.

As an aside, just a few days ago I read that the family had gone over to the athletic building to pick up Paterno's trophies, awards, etc.

I feel sad for her and agree, she might not have realized how things have truly changed...Since he wasn't charged with anything, I think they should have let him retire..but I read somewhere that the board did that mainly to protect themselves and show they were taking the situation seriously...

 

[LRinCA]

I did a google search of the sentence I offset in bold and sure enough - 1,800 entries came up!

This is why I think the guy is a little bit (for lack of a better word) "off."

He may have had the ability to do a few things really well, such as coach linebacking defense (or whatever it's called); but my overall take is that he's a social moron.

I've read excerpts of his book and he refers to himself as naive at least once.

Additionally, if I had to lay money out in a betting situation I would say he was abused by an adult or adults at about the same age of the boys The Second Mile program targeted.

i.e.: School counselors, and
other youth service professionals, initially
refer camp youngsters between the ages of
8 and 12 who are dealing with challenging
personal circumstances and are in need of
extra support. Campers come from rural,
suburban, and urban (from The Second Mile website)

 

[LRinCA]

I feel sad for her and agree, she might not have realized how things have truly changed...Since he wasn't charged with anything, I think they should have let him retire..but I read somewhere that the board did that mainly to protect themselves and show they were taking the situation seriously...

I feel bad for her as well. I don't get the impression she's a prima donna - especially after reading this 2009 article:




Lasagna, pies are her game plan

For years, Sue Paterno has fed Penn State fans and family, every morsel made from scratch.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Sue Paterno, wife of the legendary Penn State football coach, may have the toughest pregame routine of all. For home games, the 69-year-old grandmother hits the ground running at 4:30 a.m.

This weekend, for instance, after the Temple vs. Penn State game on Saturday, she will be entertaining 60 guests at the Paternos' ranch-style home, serving her homemade tomato sauce and meatballs, homemade lasagna, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and homemade peach pies - as has been her tradition after each home game for the 44 years that Joe has been head coach.

Sue Paterno has cooked and cooked - and cooked some more - in a seemingly endless stream of games and guests that begins with the first kickoff in the fall and doesn't slow down until the last recruit takes a cookie for the road trip home in late winter.

She's cooked for dignitaries and donors, football players and coaches, family and friends. And every night, she cooks for the most famous man in Pennsylvania sports.

Where others might hire caterers and servers and someone to tend the bar, Paterno has done it all herself, cooking and cleaning - even sewing the tablecloths - while putting family members to work taking coats and pouring drinks.

"When we have people in our house, we want it to be from us," she says. "To make it more personal. . . . I'm a one-man show."


Much more:

http://www.philly.com/philly/restaurants/20090917_Lasagna__pies_are_her_game_plan.html?c=r

 

[LRinCA]

From further on in the same article (it's a long one!):



"It's tiring. But the people are all nice, and we've met a lot of memorable people who are supporters of Penn State, and if we're in that process and they're helping Penn State, then that's the part I love."

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/restau...e_her_game_plan.html?page=2&c=y#ixzz1ebhiRlR3



I just can't imagine that this poor (not in pocketbook but probably in spirits right now) woman knew about any of this until the very end. My impression is that she has always loved Penn State and has considered it as much a part of her life as her husband, her children and her grandchildren.

 

[LRinCA]

A long read but I found it interesting. The writer tries to sum up the general mood at PSU following Sandusky's arrest and Joe Paterno's firing.



We were ...
Penn State was a place from another time, in a self-proclaimed Happy Valley. Now, scorched by scandal, the town that Joe Paterno built struggles to define its icon and itself.

This story appears in the Dec. 12 issue of ESPN The Magazine

A light glowed in the long front window of the last house on the left. It cast a soft yellow halo on the drapes. The mood on this chilly Sunday night felt somber, and people kept exiting the front door crying. A group of Penn State cheerleaders left in tears. Two other women did the same: deep, heaving sobs disappearing into the shadows of McKee Street. In the window, Sue Paterno's face filled the glass. She watched them vanish and turned away. Her husband never appeared. It was impossible to know what he thought about all that had fallen apart in the past week, and if his Catholic upbringing led him to believe he deserved it. "He's home," a pilgrim standing outside said. "He's just resting."

People in State College left messages at the home of Joe and Sue Paterno.
The yard looked like someone had died. People left blue and white balloons. They spread out messages, planted them on stakes. One sign read...



The rest:

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_...scandal-struggles-define-its-icon-joe-paterno

 

[Concerned Papa]

I've assumed all along that he was fired. I also assumed the same with Spanier until just a few days ago when I read that he had offered to quit which apparently left the stigma of being fired out of it.

I really can't imagine being fired from a place and ever thinking that I was entitled to any privileges from that institution; however, as Pensfan said - she could just as easily pay the $5 but perhaps the stress associated with his firing and then his subsequent cancer diagnosis has left her in a fragile mental state.

As an aside, just a few days ago I read that the family had gone over to the athletic building to pick up Paterno's trophies, awards, etc.

I hear ole Jer likes to go swimming and horsing around with young boys. Good thing for him this same university can't figure out how to keep a child rapist out of the pool, just a harmless little old lady.

She didn't try to park in Jer's personal parking spot while she was there, did she?

 

[believe09]

I hope all of the brave victims who have come forward, and who have yet to come forward find some strenth in their numbers. It will be harder for Sandusky's attorney to bully all of them.

With one of the latest vic's being a child and a family member, it seems reasonable that Sandusky would be remanded-if he is still a practicing pedophile, many are in danger. It is important that parents in his vicinity realize that this is not sour grapes or something blown out of proportion. It isn't worth it-dont take a chance. Sandusky should not be dandling anyone on his knee. JMVHO.

 

[SuziQ]

OMG.

I had read a portion of this soon after it aired but apparently not all of it.

Surely he didn't actually say "sexual needs!"

"Well -- you might think that," Sandusky said. "I don't know. (LAUGHS) In terms of -- my relationship with so many, many young people. I would -- I would guess that there are many young people who would come forward. Many more young people who would come forward and say that my methods and -- and what I had done for them made a very positive impact on their life. And I didn't go around seeking out every young person for sexual needs that I've helped. There are many that I didn't have -- I hardly had any contact with who I have helped in many, many ways."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/c...-sexual-helped-article-1.977730#ixzz1ebWiWOqy

I guess it's ok he only sought out some of them. Sounds like a confession to me.

 

[BigCat]

I did a google search of the sentence I offset in bold and sure enough - 1,800 entries came up!

This is why I think the guy is a little bit (for lack of a better word) "off."

He may have had the ability to do a few things really well, such as coach linebacking defense (or whatever it's called); but my overall take is that he's a social moron.

I've read excerpts of his book and he refers to himself as naive at least once.

Additionally, if I had to lay money out in a betting situation I would say he was abused by an adult or adults at about the same age of the boys The Second Mile program targeted.

i.e.: School counselors, and
other youth service professionals, initially
refer camp youngsters between the ages of
8 and 12 who are dealing with challenging
personal circumstances and are in need of
extra support. Campers come from rural,
suburban, and urban (from The Second Mile website)

Because Sandusky's alleged crimes are so heinous, there hasn't been much discussions of his accomplishments as a coach. He was a very good coach. He is second only to Paterno in deserving credit for the sucess of the Penn State football program. In particular, the year 1986, when Penn State went undefeated and won the national championship, Sandusky did a masterful job as the defensive coordinator. Penn State owes that championship to Sandusky, and I think Paterno would acknowledge that, even today, which may explain why Paterno thought Sandusky should be allowed to quietly retire in '98 rather than be fired. Of course, Paterno was naive to believe that a child predator would cease to act on his evil impulses.

So Sandusky was smart enough to be an excellent coach. However, and this is the problem with coach worship, he was simply someone who coached a game. Nothing more. By his own admission, in his book, Sandusky did not do well academically (or socially) in high school. He did better in college, but he was a physical education major (hopefully I haven't offended any phy ed majors). So he was intelligent enough to be a good coach, but I have my doubts he could have been nearly as successful in another field. That's important because Sandusky used his status in the community to gain access to boys.

It seems like as he got older, his grip on reality began to loosen, IMO. The culmination of his demise was the interview with Costas in which he demonstrated zero understanding of what is appropriate conduct between an adult male and a child.

As for the possiblity he was molested by a boy 8-12 years old, Sandusky did grow up above a rec center which his father was in charge of. I definitely believe that is the place where his boundary issues began. He states several times in his book that the neighborhood kids were like part of his family. He was an only child, so such an arraignment could be confusing for a boy. It also gave older boys an excellent opportunity to molest the young Sandusky. JMO.

 

[Concerned Papa]

"I'll be honest with you guys, Jerry has wanted to talk for a long time....”

“I thought it was time that maybe they heard from Jerry.....”

http://www.wgal.com/news/29770042/detail.html#ixzz1eaMTxS3J

Per your wishes mr. lawyer. Jer’s words:

“I didn't go around seeking out EVERY young person for sexual needs that I've helped. There are many that I didn't have......”

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/c...-sexual-helped-article-1.977730#ixzz1ebWiWOqy

Don’t stop him now, mr. lawyer. Let him talk some more

 

[LRinCA]

I hope all of the brave victims who have come forward, and who have yet to come forward find some strenth in their numbers. It will be harder for Sandusky's attorney to bully all of them.

With one of the latest vic's being a child and a family member, it seems reasonable that Sandusky would be remanded-if he is still a practicing pedophile, many are in danger. It is important that parents in his vicinity realize that this is not sour grapes or something blown out of proportion. It isn't worth it-dont take a chance. Sandusky should not be dandling anyone on his knee. JMVHO.

Sadly, it's not just bullying from the attorney that's the problem. For Victim #1 it's the alleged bullying from the assistant principal of his school - the same guy who has been hailed as a hero in all this!

 

[J. J. in Phila]

I really can't imagine being fired from a place and ever thinking that I was entitled to any privileges from that institution; however, as Pensfan said - she could just as easily pay the $5 but perhaps the stress associated with his firing and then his subsequent cancer diagnosis has left her in a fragile mental state.

I think you have to remember that for more than the last 40 years, she could use the facilities. That is a 40 year habit that will be difficult to break in a week.

What if you were doing something for 40 years, still physically could, but found out you were suddenly not permitted. I can her making that mistake, very easily.

 

[ScorpRising]

I hope all of the brave victims who have come forward, and who have yet to come forward find some strenth in their numbers. It will be harder for Sandusky's attorney to bully all of them.

With one of the latest vic's being a child and a family member, it seems reasonable that Sandusky would be remanded-if he is still a practicing pedophile, many are in danger. It is important that parents in his vicinity realize that this is not sour grapes or something blown out of proportion. It isn't worth it-dont take a chance. Sandusky should not be dandling anyone on his knee. JMVHO.

BBM

I've been away for a while...

Not surprising really... Can you point me to a link for this info? Going back to read now so hopefully I'll see it.

Thankful for Victim #1's strength and the power he's given to so many others to come forward.

Still can't believe Sandusky's able to roam freely while so many other lives have been destroyed.