I agree that what Penn State and its coaches did was very wrong and should be punished. The law is there to punish them and make restitution of a kind, to the victims. If any of the victims had been Penn State players, the NCAA certainly would correct in taking action.
But let’s say Sandusky beat his wife, and Paterno got wind of it. Is Paterno supposed to publicize this and advise the NCAA about it? Is the fact that Sandusky (in this made up scenario) beat his wife alone enough to invoke NCAA sanctions? Any number of things can hurt an athletic program. I just don’t believe covering those things up somehow brings the NCAA into it, or at least it shouldn’t bring them into it. And who is the NCAA to take funds from a school and give them to organizations that, while very worthy, have no relation to NCAA sports?
Again, I believe Penn State should be punished, but the NCAA, in this instance, is the not the organization to do it, in my view.
Apples/Oranges.
Mrs. Sandusky probably would not have been enrolled in a PSU sanctioned camp. Plus I assmume Mrs. Sandusky was of legal age.
Signatories to the NCAA agree to follow NCAA rules, which include a rule against blatantly disgracing the sport.
“But let’s say Sandusky beat his wife, and Paterno got wind of it. Is Paterno supposed to publicize this and advise the NCAA about it?”
No, he would not be required to alert the NCAA. But if he covered up a crime to prevent negative publicity harmful to the Penn State football program, thus avoiding a negative impact on recruiting and donations, then yes, the NCAA would punish the school.