Could punishment from NCAA be next for Penn State?

July 9, 2012 1:11 pm

By Mark Dent?/?Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

STATE COLLEGE -- Eight months ago, the NCAA sent a letter to Penn State expressing its intention to investigate the athletic department because of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse case.

With the trial over and Sandusky convicted, there has been speculation about possible NCAA punishments, even death penalty for the football program. The NCAA, its decision to investigate revealed by the university's public release of the letter, faces a tough decision.

"They're kind of in a box," said Joe Nocera, a New York Times columnist and blogger who has written extensively -- and critically -- about the NCAA. "Something bad has happened, but they have a lot of difficulty coming at it. It's not something they are set up to do."

NCAA bylaws provide no basis for punishing institutions for crime. Before Penn State, the NCAA had no history of even investigating institutions based on criminal offenses perpetrated by administrators, athletes or coaches.

But NCAA president Mark Emmert detailed the accusations clearly in the letter. The NCAA is examining Penn State for a lack of institutional control and examining current and former administrators and coaches for unethical conduct. These two infractions are often pressed by the NCAA but have never been cited in cases involving criminal acts. Former Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and former vice president Gary Schultz face charges of perjury and failure to report suspected child abuse.

Less than a year ago, the NCAA considered it unethical behavior and punished Ohio State when head football coach Jim Tressel failed to disclose knowledge of accusations that two players had sold personal memorabilia to the owner of a tattoo parlor. By any measure, the alleged failure to report sexual abuse by a former assistant coach at athletic facilities is a more serious offense.

A dilemma arises for the NCAA. Sandusky committed multiple illegal acts in a facility that was under control of the athletic department. Should the NCAA act, setting a new precedent? Can it?

Source: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/psu/could-punishment-from-ncaa-be-next-643939/

verlander verlander justin verlander pepper spraying cop pepper spraying cop somaya reece juelz santana