Tag Archives: Mike McQueary

Yesterday afternoon I was writing up an article that was going to expand on the reasons why the NCAA should get involved in the Jerry Sandusky/Penn State incident.  Things were going well, I was fleshing out some logical arguments as to why it would be in the NCAA’s best interest to not only flex their power, but to use this disaster as a way to strengthen their grip over the college landscape.

Sure, I’m playing devil’s advocate.  I’m a cynic, when it comes to big business – and the NCAA is a GIANT BUSINESS – I always believe there’s an ulterior motive.

Anyways, my friend who told me from the get go, “The NCAA cannot get involved” shoots me an E-Mail.  Sure enough, the NCAA has issued a statement saying, and I’m paraphrasing here, that they will not get involved at this time.  Here’s the full quote… which is fascinating, as the NCAA is not closing the door future involvement.

“Regarding the ongoing Penn State criminal investigation, the NCAA is actively monitoring developments and assessing appropriate steps moving forward. The NCAA will defer in the immediate term to law enforcement officials since this situation involved alleged crimes. As the facts are established through the justice system, we will determine whether Association bylaws have been violated and act accordingly. To be clear, civil and criminal law will always take precedence over Association rules.”

The NCAA bylaws do have a statue of limitations, and since Sandusky was not formally employed with Penn State at the time of the alleged assault on the second victim, there is not much the NCAA can do.  The line I found interesting, but not surprising, in this statement is,

“As the facts are established though the justice system, we will determine whether Association bylaws have been violated and act accordingly.”

To me, that comes across as, “If we can find something to hit Penn State with, don’t worry, we will.” I think it would be a brilliant move for the NCAA to come down hard on Penn State.  Many people feel the NCAA let Auburn (Cam’s dad admitted to the infractions) off the hook, while they came down too hard on USC.  We are still waiting for punishment to be levied against Miami and Ohio State.  With that being said, what happened at Penn State is one giant rotten orange while the incidents at Auburn/USC/Miami are all apples.

I’d love to see the Big10 or the NCAA do something to Penn State, but I’m not holding my breath. Nobody wants to see the players be punished for the actions of a former assistant coach and “friend” of the program, the athletic director, the WR coach/recruiting coordinator, VP of finance, and the Godfather of Penn State, Joe Paterno.

I did find it interesting that Tim Curley, the AD who still has not been formally removed from his position, played for Joe Paterno.  I’m sure that relationship had nothing to do with Curley’s actions when dealing with Sandusky and the allegations Mike McQueary brought up…

…

…yeah. 

Mike McQueary, AKA, “the see no evil ginger” played for Paterno and to me is the giant question mark.  We’ve all heard the questions…why didn’t he break up the rape?  Why did he call his dad first?  Why didn’t he call the cops?  He’s a twenty-eight year old man, why didn’t he stand up against this?  We’ll never know these answers, nor will we ever get an answer that will satisfy the anger that sits in everyone’s stomach when they think about this travesty. Same goes for Paterno and his involvement in this scandal.

What I want to know…why didn’t Mike McQueary keep talking?  Is it coincidence that McQueary was hired in 2000 and Jerry Sandusky retired in 1999?  Karma’s a bitch, eh McQueary?  Imagine what’s going to happen to him if the rumor of Sandusky being a pimp for these young boys is true. 

Penn State will never be the same after this, and while the people responsible for these heinous crimes are going to be punished and/or removed, the program could escape any formal punishments.  Is that fair?  I’m not sure it is.  People are going to say that the Penn State program has already been through enough.  Really?  As soon as the entire coaching staff is cleared out the first sales pitch out to recruits is going to be, “We’re a different program now, we’re moving forward, and we want you to help us.” 

That’s life…a recruiting pitch coming out of the devastation of an unknown amount of young boy’s lives.

Posted by Lester Zook.