Paterno

[LMITOUT]

Again, how does the National Collegiate Athletic Association have any business in an administrative issue?

[Slabasaurus]

In short, the NCAA does have the jurisdiction and duty to protect the integrity of the organization from questionable activities that may damage the NCAA as a whole.

Here, the issue to me isn't Sandusky's actions, that's not what I am saying the punishment is for. Putting the program's interests above the public's is the issue being addressed by the NCAA. This one reason that Penn State did not receive the "death penalty." The NCAA is sending a message to other schools within its organization that this kind of cover up will not be tolerated.

There is precedent for the NCAA sanctioning schools for non athletic related/administrative issues... look at UND for an example there.

[LMITOUT]

There is precedent for the NCAA sanctioning schools for non athletic related/administrative issues... look at UND for an example there.

That wasn't sanctioning, that was essentially extortion. Lose the mascot or you can't play. UND did nothing wrong.

[Scott M]

I dunno guys, if you are a member of the NCAA, you agree to certain rules and codes of conduct to be part of the association (and mainly the money grab). The behavior was within the athletics program, I don't disagree that the penalties are levied against players and others that had no part in the transgressions, but you break the association rules, there are consequences.

[Scott K]

Not much different then if it happened in a Pro team, and the NFL got involved.

[LMITOUT]

Completely different.

[Bear55]

Again, how does the National Collegiate Athletic Association have any business in an administrative issue?

Admin swept criminal acts under the rug to protect the football program. Not that complicated.

[LMITOUT]

That still doesn't explain why the NCAA felt they had to step in AFTER THE FACT in a criminal issue. Schools don't answer to the NCAA. Period.

What NCAA rules did the college break? That's all I want to know.

[Scott M]

The NCAA constitution is online. There's a ton of stuff the legal eagles could point to...institutional control, reporting of noncompliance, principles of conduct, enforcement policy, executive regulation, reasons to be subject to disciplinary action...there's plenty to choose from.

[ozzie]

Brent Mussburger (sp) stated that he thought the NCAA overstepped their boundries and acted due to public pressure and that the NCAA should not have involved themselves in a criminal case. I can see both sides and I guess I don't have a real opinion other than it is a shame that people didn't step up and question Sandusky earlier...if you seen something happening I just don't understand why you would keep it to yourself or not confront him immediatley. Sad that children put faith in trust in these individuals only to have them exploit there problems and taking advantage of them.

[SkunkedAgain]

Funny, the NCAA didn't involve themselves in a criminal case. They disciplined an athletic program for which they have the authority to do. The NCAA specifically stated that they weren't disciplining any people at this time BECAUSE there are ongoing criminal investigations.

Listen - you can talk about public pressure all that you want, but a message needed to be sent not to just Penn State's athletic program but also all athletic programs in the NCAA. If you intentionally sweep heinous crimes under the rug in order to keep "the program" going, the NCAA will shut down your program for you. I have ZERO problem with that. Athletic directors and school officials need to understand that the repercussions of doing nothing or intentionally hiding problems will be more painful than doing the right thing and dealing with the issues.

It's sad that we need to have punishments like this handed down, purely because people can't/won't act on morals and good conscience alone.

[MinDak Hunter]

I think the NCAA was right-on with stepping in. A former football coach, who has total access to the football program, (Sandusky) RAPES a child in the team showers and another football coach (McQueary) sees it happening then talks about it to a third coach (Paterno)who then tells the school administration. Did anyone at the school report it to the police? That sounds like lack of institutional control to me.

I would like the NCAA to ban McQueary from coaching for life, he failed in his duty as a coach, as a man, as a person...

[bobbymalone]

That still doesn't explain why the NCAA felt they had to step in AFTER THE FACT in a criminal issue. Schools don't answer to the NCAA. Period.

What NCAA rules did the college break? That's all I want to know.

Schools don't answer to the NCAA, but, yer dang right the athletic programs do if they wanna play.

I bolded some parts. That's where it seems like they really get stuck.

http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/20120723/21207235

NCAA Constitution References

2.1 Scope of Responsibility.

The institution's responsibility for the conduct of its intercollegiate athletics program includes responsibility for the actions of its staff members and for the actions of any other individual or organization engaged in activities promoting the athletics interests of the institution.

2.4 The Principle of Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct.

For intercollegiate athletics to promote the character development of participants, to enhance the integrity of higher education and to promote civility in society, student-athletes, coaches, and all others associated with these athletics programs and events should adhere to such fundamental values as respect, fairness, civility, honesty and responsibility. These values should be manifest not only in athletics participation, but also in the broad spectrum of activities affecting the athletics program. It is the responsibility of each institution to:

(a) Establish policies for sportsmanship and ethical conduct in intercollegiate athletics consistent with the educational mission and goals of the institution; and

( Educate, on a continuing basis, all constituencies about the policies in this article.

6.01.1 Institutional Control.

The control and responsibility for the conduct of intercollegiate athletics shall be exercised by the institution itself and by the conference(s), if any, of which it is a member. Administrative control or faculty control, or a combination of the two, shall constitute institutional control.

6.4 Responsibilities for Actions of Outside Entities.

6.4.1 Independent Agencies or Organizations.

An institution's "responsibility" for the conduct of its intercollegiate athletics program shall include responsibility for the acts of an independent agency, corporate entity (e.g., apparel or equipment manufacturer) or other organization when a member of the institution's executive or athletics administration, or an athletics department staff member, has knowledge that such agency, corporate entity or other organization is promoting the institution's intercollegiate athletics program.

6.4.2 Representatives of Athletics Interests.

An institution's "responsibility" for the conduct of its intercollegiate athletics program shall include responsibility for the acts of individuals, a corporate entity (e.g., apparel or equipment manufacturer) or other organization when a member of the institution's executive or athletics administration or an athletics department staff member has knowledge or should have knowledge that such an individual, corporate entity or other organization:

(a) Has participated in or is a member of an agency or organization as described in Constitution 6.4.1;

( Has made financial contributions to the athletics department or to an athletics booster organization of that institution;

© Has been requested by the athletics department staff to assist in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes or is assisting in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes;

(d) Has assisted or is assisting in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes; or

(e) Is otherwise involved in promoting the institution's athletics program.

6.4.2.1 Agreement to Provide Benefit or Privilege.

Any agreement between an institution (or any organization that promotes, assists or augments in any way the athletics interests of the member institution, including those identified per Constitution 6.4.1) and an individual who, for any consideration, is or may be entitled under the terms of the agreement to any benefit or privilege relating to the institution's athletics program, shall contain a specific clause providing that any such benefit or privilege may be withheld if the individual has engaged in conduct that is determined to be a violation of NCAA legislation. The clause shall provide for the withholding of the benefit or privilege from a party to the agreement and any other person who may be entitled to a benefit or privilege under the terms of the agreement.

6.4.2.2 Retention of Identity as "Representative."

Any individual participating in the activities set forth in Constitution 6.4.2 shall be considered a "representative of the institution's athletics interests," and once so identified as a representative, it is presumed the person retains that identity.

Division I Bylaw References

10.01.1 Honesty and sportsmanship.

Individuals employed by (or associated with) a member institution to administer, conduct or coach intercollegiate athletics and all participating student-athletes shall act with honesty and sportsmanship at all times so that intercollegiate athletics as a whole, their institutions and they, as individuals, shall represent the honor and dignity of fair play and the generally recognized high standards associated with wholesome competitive sports.

10.1 Unethical Conduct.

Unethical conduct by a prospective or enrolled student-athlete or a current or former institutional staff member, which includes any individual who performs work for the institution or the athletics department even if he or she does not receive compensation for such work, may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) Refusal to furnish information relevant to an investigation of a possible violation of an NCAA regulation when requested to do so by the NCAA or the individual's institution;

( Knowing involvement in arranging for fraudulent academic credit or false transcripts for a prospective or an enrolled student-athlete;

© Knowing involvement in offering or providing a prospective or an enrolled student-athlete an improper inducement or extra benefit or improper financial aid;

(d) Knowingly furnishing or knowingly influencing others to furnish the NCAA or the individual's institution false or misleading information concerning an individual's involvement in or knowledge of matters relevant to a possible violation of an NCAA regulation;

(e) Receipt of benefits by an institutional staff member for facilitating or arranging a meeting between a student-athlete and an agent, financial advisor or a representative of an agent or advisor (e.g., "runner");

(f) Knowing involvement in providing a banned substance or impermissible supplement to student-athletes, or knowingly providing medications to student-athletes contrary to medical licensure, commonly accepted standards of care in sports medicine practice, or state and federal law. This provision shall not apply to banned substances for which the student-athlete has received a medical exception per Bylaw 31.2.3.5; however, the substance must be provided in accordance with medical licensure, commonly accepted standards of care and state or federal law;

(g) Failure to provide complete and accurate information to the NCAA, the NCAA Eligibility Center or an institution's admissions office regarding an individual's academic record (e.g., schools attended, completion of coursework, grades and test scores);

(h) Fraudulence or misconduct in connection with entrance or placement examinations;

(i) Engaging in any athletics competition under an assumed name or with intent to otherwise deceive; or

(j) Failure to provide complete and accurate information to the NCAA, the NCAA Eligibility Center or the institution's athletics department regarding an individual's amateur status.

11.1.1 Honesty and Sportsmanship.

Individuals employed by or associated with a member institution to administer, conduct or coach intercollegiate athletics shall act with honesty and sportsmanship at all times so that intercollegiate athletics as a whole, their institutions and they, as individuals, represent the honor and dignity of fair play and the generally recognized high standards associated with wholesome competitive sports. (See Bylaw 10 for more specific ethical-conduct standards.)

11.1.2.1 Responsibility of Head Coach.

It shall be the responsibility of an institution's head coach to promote an atmosphere for compliance within the program supervised by the coach and to monitor the activities regarding compliance of all assistant coaches and other administrators involved with the program who report directly or indirectly to the coach.

19.01.2 Exemplary Conduct.

Individuals employed by or associated with member institutions for the administration, the conduct or the coaching of intercollegiate athletics are, in the final analysis, teachers of young people. Their responsibility is an affirmative one, and they must do more than avoid improper conduct or questionable acts. Their own moral values must be so certain and positive that those younger and more pliable will be influenced by a fine example. Much more is expected of them than of the less critically placed citizen.