Back in the 70's when I was an undergrad, my friends who worked the health center told me about the stifling of information regarding campus suicides and rapes. Most campuses covered up negative statistics back then, but at Penn State the protective attitude was incredibly powerful. There were and still are stories of how Paterno had an agreement with the local PD that he would handle disciplinary actions when the football players broke the law. There are also stories that Sue Paterno had disturbing DUI violations were covered up.
The love - and therefore the donations, endowments and image marketing - for PSU runs so deep in fans and alumni that preserving the image became an acceptable part of the loyalty package.
Let me just add,
Those of us who love Penn State and Joe Paterno are deeply affected and emotionally racked by the recent developments, the way any of you would be crushed by the same allegations against a family member.
The trouble with EVIL is that it can advance its cause by occasionally performing GOOD....the trouble with GOOD is that it can do no EVIL, or it immediately loses the value of its cause.
I’m a PSU alum myself. I don’t doubt the football uber alles mentality one bit, nor is that obviously limited to Penn State. Stories abound at all schools, and are usually met with with shrugs of “Hey, it’s just football”. It’s a billion dollar industry after all. Well, now we see that what that mentality can lead to. The whole thing was business as usual. Protect the program at all costs. I guess nobody realized how high the costs could get. The whole thing is shameful. Everybody from the McQueary on up to Spanier should be fired. Fired, not given the chance to resign. I saw Paterno on the news last night greeting the idjits who rallied at his house in support. The man clearly does NOT get it, and never will.