Paterno Is Finished at Penn State, and President Is Out

Posted by Kendall Harmon

Joe Paterno, who has the most victories of any coach in major college football history, was fired by Penn State on Wednesday night in the wake of a sexual abuse scandal involving a prominent former assistant coach and the university’s failure to act to halt further harm.

Graham B. Spanier, one of the longest-serving and highest-paid university presidents in the nation, who has helped raise the academic profile of Penn State during his tenure, was also removed by the Board of Trustees. When the announcement was made at a news conference that the 84-year-old Mr. Paterno would not coach another game, a gasp went up from the crowd of several hundred reporters, students and camera people who were present.

“We thought that because of the difficulties that engulfed our university, and they are grave, that it is necessary to make a change in the leadership to set a course for a new direction,” said John Surma Jr., the vice chairman of the board.

Read it all.

Update: "After Joe Paterno is fired, Penn State and State College still coming to grips with his dismissal" in the Washington Post is of interest as well.

Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Education • Law & Legal Issues • Men • Sexuality • Sports • Young Adults • * Theology • Ethics / Moral Theology • Pastoral Theology

4 Comments
Posted November 10, 2011 at 4:02 pm [Printer Friendly] [Print w/ comments]



1. Ralph wrote:

I suspect that once the facts all come out, the dismissals will make more sense. I’m puzzled that Mike McQueary still has his job.

The grand jury paperwork can be found on the internet. It’s horrific reading, but consistent with the way that homosexual pedophiles do their deeds.

As usual for things like this, there’s no way that people will be silent forever. The truth emerges, piece by piece.

That’s why the PB needs to come clean about the Bede Parry matter.

November 10, 7:47 pm | [comment link]
2. TACit wrote:

Well done to the Penn State Board of Trustees.  Although they may have been even more motivated by the spectre of legal liabilities than the protection of vulnerable children, one hopes that the children’s well-being was important in their considerations.  And they set an example that has to be followed, within and without the Ivy League and in wider society.  The most wins in college football history is not important compared to the protection of children from sodomy.
Truth may eventually emerge, #1, but in the case of the Adelaide archdiocese it has taken over 40 years, and in the case of the PB of TEC it is being squeezed out drop by painful drop.
One wonders, when will truths like the (not adequately investigated?) connection between Gene Robinson and NAMBLA will assume their place in the light?

November 11, 9:46 pm | [comment link]
3. TACit wrote:

And as if on cue, the NYT posts a headline saying that Penn State officials could face civil suits, and McQueary has been placed on leave (so your instinct was correct, #1).
I think I was mistaken to refer to Penn State as Ivy League, that’s U. Penn isn’t it?  But still an important example was set.

November 12, 2:06 am | [comment link]
4. clayton wrote:

#2 - Whaaa?  I did a quick google and didn’t find anything about Robinson and NAMBLA - can you provide more info?  That’s pretty shocking if it’s been covered up.

November 14, 1:47 am | [comment link]
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