By Tim Cohn

Sports have the ability to bring people together in tough times. Sports are a unifier, and even can heal wounds. These unique qualities were evident on Saturday November 12 in State College, PA when the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Penn State Nittany Lions took the field in front of over 100,000 fans. Penn State lost the game but that was purely secondary. On that particular day the scandal that brought down a highly regarded defensive coordinator and a legendary head coach was in the forefront of everyone’s minds. The atmosphere at Beaver Stadium was somber, which was atypical compared to the rowdy place that Penn State fans knew. Joe Paterno did not roam the sidelines as he usually did. Instead, he was at home. The coach for more than forty years had become an icon of the University, but over all of the wins and championships, had preached winning with honor. After being disgraced, his once pristine reputation is now tarnished. The man responsible for all of this devastation is Jerry Sandusky.

In 2002, Mike McQueary, a low ranking graduate assistant, witnessed Jerry Sandusky sexually abusing a young boy in the locker room showers. He reported this incident to head coach, Joe Paterno. Paterno then told former Penn State athletic director Tim Curly. Little action was taken against Sandusky and, instead of pursuing him for his heinous acts, Curly informed him not to bring any more young boys to Penn State athletic facilities. Nobody, including Paterno, fought against Sandusky. Jerry Sandusky was, at that time, the head of an organization called “The Second Mile,” which supposedly helped at-risk youths. Despite not being a coach at the university anymore, Sandusky still operated out of State College, PA and held a summer program on the campus of Penn State. Many of the finer details of this case are still unknown, but victims are being sought out to testify in court. Even the number of victims is still unknown. Amidst these allegations, Sandusky gave an interview to NBC’s “Rock Center”, where he admitted to “horsing around” with young boys and showering with them. He denied raping, molesting, or abusing any children. This scandal devastated Penn State fans and alumni, as well as all other people affiliated with the school’s football program. Most shocking to Penn State supporters was that their beloved head coach, who preached success with honor, knew about these allegations and failed to report Sandusky to legal authorities. The distraught fan base took its first step to healing on Saturday November 12. Over 100,000 Nittany Lions fans chanted the familiar phrase “We Are Penn State!” and took part in silent reflection before the game. However, this is still about the victims of Sandusky’s terrible crimes. The Pennsylvania judicial system along with national authorities are tirelessly fighting for justice, and most of all making sure that Sandusky will not hurt anyone ever again. This, perhaps, is an example of human nature at its worst, a predatory man allegedly preying on innocent children. The lives of the victims are forever changed, and their own personal trauma will not go unnoticed this time. Penn State and their fans are divided on this issue and more prominently, whether or not JoePa (as the Penn State fan base affectionately calls Joe Paterno) should have been fired. Interim head coach Tom Bradley is now the man responsible for moving forward and putting the scandal behind the Penn State program. This has been an unforgettable week for Penn State, and only time will heal the wounds, but the unity in Beaver Stadium Saturday was a good first step.