NCAA launches PSU inquiry
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The NCAA will investigate whether Penn State lacked institutional control in failing to report an alleged sexual assault perpetrated by former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky on campus.
After shying away from the situation for nearly two weeks, NCAA president Mark Emmert alerted Penn State president Rodney Erickson to the investigation in a letter Thursday. The association and the school released the letter to the public Friday.
At issue is whether any Penn State official violated NCAA bylaws in failing to report Mr. Sandusky's alleged crimes. In his letter, Mr. Emmert cites three specific bylaws the university might have violated. The most salient is Bylaw 19.01.2, which identifies athletic administrators and coaches as "teachers of young people" who should "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."
"Those who exhibit this behavior are meeting the ethical expectations of the NCAA membership," Mr. Emmert wrote. "Those who do not, fail us all."
Mr. Emmert asked Mr. Erickson to answer four questions relating to the conduct of individuals associated with the university and the school's ability to monitor that conduct. Mr. Emmert asked for a response by Dec. 16, less than a month away.
The university's athletic department released a statement a short time later, stating they would cooperate with the NCAA.
"Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics intends to fully cooperate with the NCAA during its inquiry, and understands that this is a preliminary step toward understanding what happened as well as how to prevent anything similar from happening in the future," the statement said. "We understand and believe in the importance of following both the letter and spirit of the NCAA rules and guidelines, and will continue to reiterate that to our coaches, student-athletes and athletic administrators."
A lack of institutional control charge, if proven, could carry a variety of penalties for a school, including the loss of scholarships, recruiting restrictions, bans on TV appearances and postseason play and the "death penalty," which bans schools from all intercollegiate athletic competition. The school's previously unblemished record on NCAA infractions will be a factor if the NCAA doles out punishment.
First Published November 19, 2011 12:29 am
