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Apparently Penn State might be rethinking that whole massive football program thing. According to an article by Kevin Johnson and Kelly Whiteside in USA Today:
Penn State University is reassessing the role of its football program in the wake of a child sexual abuse scandal that has led to criminal charges against a former assistant football coach and the ouster of iconic head coach Joe Paterno.
In his first extensive interview since taking office last month, Penn State President Rodney Erickson said Tuesday that he seeks to transform the university’s public face from a football factory to a “world class research institution.”
Right, one certainly hopes the school is going to do something about football. As the flagship state university of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Penn State exists to educate Pennsylvanians and perform research. The football is supposed to be incidental. The excessive importance of football at the school is almost certainly what caused the university to cover up the sexual abuse scandal.
But it’s unclear what Erickson actually intends to change about “the role of its football program.”
The new president said he will establish “a national Center for the Protection of Children to conduct research and provide treatment to victims of sexual abuse across the country.” But what about the football? Will the program get less money from the university?
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Phalamir on December 08, 2011 6:29 PM:
"But what about the football? Will the program get less money from the university?"
No, but the university will be more proactive in assassinating abuse victims before they can talk to police the university hasn't paid off.
TCinLA on December 08, 2011 6:41 PM:
he seeks to transform the university’s public face from a football factory to a “world class research institution.”
Oh, goody, they'll go from being whores for the NFL to being whores for the CIA and Homeland Security, like the rest of the so-called "good guys" of Acadamania.
golack on December 08, 2011 7:09 PM:
When Prof. Lasaga left Penn State many years ago, apparently there were rumors of accusations of child sexual abuse. He was arrested at Yale.
It's not just football. And it's not just academia (see Catholic Church, Bishop Long, etc.). It's about power, authority and opportunity--whether it's a relative, scout leader, coach, etc. How many investigators can properly deal with it (episodes of SVU not proper training)? How long will it take to realize "protecting the institution" should never involve coverups?
Unfortunately there may not be anyone left to investigate any allegations as local police forces are cut and/or dropped completely.
Jose Padilla on December 09, 2011 7:24 AM:
"But what about the football? Will the program get less money from the university?"
The football program at Penn State funds the entire athletic department, intercollegiate and otherwise. If PSU decides to de-emphasize football, how are they going to fill that 108,000 seat stadium on Saturdays in the Fall? Who is going to pay for all the other programs that don't generate any revenue?
captainwjm on December 09, 2011 9:57 AM:
"The football program at Penn State funds the entire athletic department, intercollegiate and otherwise."
Proof please; 'cause it aint true anywhere else.isionalw
Dshea on December 09, 2011 7:27 PM:
He's right. While there are plenty of financial shenanigans that should give anyone pause to blindly accept the numbers, it does appear that the university does not give money to the football program. PSU football funds itself and the rest of the athletic department (except for men's basketball which breaks even on its own), and still turns a profit for the university.
"In the 2009 to 2010 season, Penn State football netted the school $50 million, making it the third most profitable football program after the University of Texas ($68 million) and the University of Georgia ($52 million), according to the Business of College Sports, a site started by ESPN reporter Kristi Dosh."
http://news.yahoo.com/why-penn-state-powerful-134200563.html