Severe, but Appropriate

So Penn State has lost all their wins since 1998, they've lost scholarships, they won't appear at a bowl game for the next four years, fined the value of their TV revenue last year and afterwards, they will be on probation.  The Joe Paterno legacy continued to unravel over the last 72 hours, as 48 hours earlier, the statue of Joe Paterno was removed from the site.  The saddest thing about this is that Mr. Paterno is not among the living to watch this happen before his eyes.  But at least Jerry Sandusky will be behind bars for the rest of his natural life.
Yes, this goes beyond everything I suggested, but the intent behind these punitive sanctions is very much there.  As much as I hated to say it, they needed to be hit hard.  After all, this situation up to now was unprecedented.  And a lot of us know that this is merely the tip of the iceberg.

People in a position of trust have a responsibility to the community they reside in and to the organizations they have a part in.  But of course, people will denounce it, saying that Joe didn't deserve this and neither did the university as a whole.  The man responsible was punished and that's where it should end, they say.

Those of you thinking this, give your heads a shake.  Once again, Joe Paterno had a responsibility to maintain the integrity of the program.  Did he do that?  No.  He passed the buck, letting someone else make a decision that was really his to make.  And when he passed the buck, did the next guy do something about it?  No.  From the athletic director, it went to the university president who, just like other two, did nothing.  When the integrity of your college or university is in danger, you don't cover it up.  You get rid of the problem, before it gets worse.

For that reason, Penn State is being punished for the actions of their previous administration.  Unfortunately, no sanctions were given to the people who were responsible for the perpetuation of this atrocity. 

But was the punishment right?  Some have said that the punishment is too severe, citing USC's and Ohio State's transgressions.  Theirs is about an ongoing issue with student football players who are continuously worshipped by the boosters and fans alike.  Even Miami, Auburn and several other colleges have experienced the same problems and a lot of it happens behind the backs of the administration.

But in this case, crimes were committed and the university had a duty to its community and their residents to report the crime and ensure the perpetrator faces the music.  The university, its administration and its athletic department didn't take these steps.  They didn't cooperate with the law and hoped that it could be swept away like it always was then.  That was then.  This is now.

Now Penn State will pay the price for not doing the right thing.  This is not about money, like other colleges and universities.  It's about the cover-up of a heinous felony.  That is why they now face the punishment dealt to them, and rightfully so.