The Penn State Child-Sex Abuse Scandal Thread...Hammer dropped on PSU...sanctions galore.

[doublejs07]

Thread title change....this is becoming more of a discussion than about ESPN's negligence in weekend coverage. 


This is arguably the damning thing that's ever happened in NCAA athletics.  This is bigger than point-shaving, taking cash from boosters, etc.  I mean, there have already been resignations, and there is the possibility that Joe Paterno will have to step down.  The coverage over the weekend after this story dropped was kind of lacking IMO.  Just to give you an idea of how big this scandal is, this story has been the lead on other NEWS outlets in the DC area.  Yes, I get that there was the LSU/Bama game and it's an NFL weekend....but this story is HUGE and I don't think ESPN really covered it too well.  A couple of VERY quick reports but not much else.  I just looked on the ESPN site, and right now it is the lead headline....but in retrospect, when the whole Nevin Shapiro mess w. UM broke, I feel like ESPN was ALL over it.  It's not like ESPN hasn't had shady coverage of stories in the past.  Remember how they initially handled the Big Ben sexual assault case (also in comparison to how they did Marvin Harrison)? 

Anyways, here's some background on what's going on at Penn State:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57319464/penn-state-sex-scandal-prompts-2-resignations/

  Disgusting
 

 

[hugebird]

You are acting as if ESPN is legitimate news source. I'm sorry, but in sports media, you aren't getting ratings points or clicks for a story on rape, especially over the NFL. We really can't blame ESPN, because they are only giving us what most of their target market care about, and the reality is that they only really care about NFL football. I like piling on ESPN as much as the next person, but I don't think that this is a case where I can really fault them.

 

[harlemtothebronx]

Seeing as I didn't know anything about it...and I watch ESPN everyday...yeah, definitely lacking.

 

[doublejs07]

Originally Posted by hugebird

You are acting as if ESPN is legitimate news source. I'm sorry, but in sports media, you aren't getting ratings points or clicks for a story on rape, especially over the NFL. We really can't blame ESPN, because they are only giving us what most of their target market care about, and the reality is that they only really care about NFL football. I like piling on ESPN as much as the next person, but I don't think that this is a case where I can really fault them.

You're 100% right...it has nothing to do with sports or with one of the most storied football programs in the history of the NCAA. 

  

 

[scott frost]

Where was yahoo when it really mattered?

 

[hugebird]

Originally Posted by DoubleJs07

Originally Posted by hugebird

You are acting as if ESPN is legitimate news source. I'm sorry, but in sports media, you aren't getting ratings points or clicks for a story on rape, especially over the NFL. We really can't blame ESPN, because they are only giving us what most of their target market care about, and the reality is that they only really care about NFL football. I like piling on ESPN as much as the next person, but I don't think that this is a case where I can really fault them.

You're 100% right...it has nothing to do with sports or with one of the most storied football programs in the history of the NCAA. 

  

Did you even read what I said? Do you REALLY think that the people watching ESPN to see them break down the Giants/Patriots game are going to keep the television on for longer than a couple seconds when they are discussing this? As you said, all the news outlets are covering this and are opening their shows with it, as this is the audience that is going to care about this and want to hear the most information. I think you are really overrating the psyche of many of the fans if you think that this is what they want to see.

I am personally fascinated in the story (and don't care about the NFL to be quite honest), so I would love to hear more about the story here, but the reality is that I am in the minority. ESPN has no moral obligation to report on this over regular sports minutia, so they have to go with what will get them views and clicks. Also, you will get more coverage as the week goes on and the weekend game wrap-ups end. It's unfortunate, but it will only get thrust to the front of ESPN's coverage during slower media days.

 

[doublejs07]

Originally Posted by hugebird

Originally Posted by DoubleJs07

Originally Posted by hugebird

You are acting as if ESPN is legitimate news source. I'm sorry, but in sports media, you aren't getting ratings points or clicks for a story on rape, especially over the NFL. We really can't blame ESPN, because they are only giving us what most of their target market care about, and the reality is that they only really care about NFL football. I like piling on ESPN as much as the next person, but I don't think that this is a case where I can really fault them.

You're 100% right...it has nothing to do with sports or with one of the most storied football programs in the history of the NCAA. 

  

Did you even read what I said? Do you REALLY think that the people watching ESPN to see them break down the Giants/Patriots game are going to keep the television on for longer than a couple seconds when they are discussing this? As you said, all the news outlets are covering this and are opening their shows with it, as this is the audience that is going to care about this and want to hear the most information. I think you are really overrating the psyche of many of the fans if you think that this is what they want to see.

I am personally fascinated in the story (and don't care about the NFL to be quite honest), so I would love to hear more about the story here, but the reality is that I am in the minority. ESPN has no moral obligation to report on this over regular sports minutia, so they have to go with what will get them views and clicks. Also, you will get more coverage as the week goes on and the weekend game wrap-ups end. It's unfortunate, but it will only get thrust to the front of ESPN's coverage during slower media days.

"You are acting as if ESPN is a legitimate news source." 

Um, actually they are...ESPECIALLY considering the nature of this story.  Like I said before, the coverage (to me) seems to pale in comparison to the attention they gave to Nevin Shapiro/Miami, A-Rod gambling, etc.  You can put this coverage, or lack there of, right up there with Big Ben. 

We're teetering on the "retirement" of a football LEGEND...due to a disgusting molestation cover-up by the PSU athletic department.  But nah....it's sports minutia. 
  

 

[rashi]

Penn St. must really want to get rid of JoPa. 

 

[ThaxbyChamblis]

This needs to get more coverage than the issues @ USC, Miami and O$U. %#!+ is disgusting.

 

[duba169]

They did a good segment on sports reporters. That's it tho.

 

[doublejs07]

Originally Posted by dreClark

This needs to get more coverage than the issues @ USC, Miami and O$U. %#!+ is disgusting.

!#%!...I forgot about OSU.  ESPN was ALL OVER Pryor & Co. after word got out about the tats/memrobilia(sp?)

Again, just another example of ESPN picking and choosing what they give attention to.  The magnitude of what's going on at Penn State trumps any story that I can remember going on with the NCAA. 

 

[RyGuy45]

Yeah we know the drill.

If we want to analyze their coverage of this topic I think we gotta see what happens starting today. They like everyone else got blindsided by the news over the weekend and were in the middle of the huge football weekend. I bet today the ESPN talkers are focused on it. Still, as much as I like to pile on ESPN we also sometimes cannot compare apples to oranges.....we cant really compare the Canes scandal with this one cause the Canes one is strippers and escorts and a geeky booster and current NFL players who can give quotes (perfect media story) and the PSU one is potentially a retired old man molesting small boys on the DL.

Personally I think the coverage (from national and local media) is going to lead to everyone bouncing out including Paterno. It's going to be covered heavily.

 

[abutta13]

the osu and miami scandals happened during the summer when there wasnt much going on in sports. its the middle of a football season so it isnt going to be beat down our throats like the miami and osu stories were although im sure as the week goes on they will cover it more.

 

[dmxfury]

Of course ESPN picks and chooses their stories. They have done so for years, why would this shock you? And they are not a legitament news organization. The 'real' news conglomerates arent really 'legitament' news organizations, let alone ESPN. Facts are tough to come by now days

 

[hankmoody]

I don't know. If the rundown was correct this morning and I saw it in passing, I believe PSU was the 2nd story covered. Of course, I didn't watch the segment so I don't know how it went.

 

[university of nike]

Originally Posted by myth58

ESPN pisses on the black man's image every chance they get.

YEA.

 

[gunna get it]

Oooo trust its about to be a 24/7 media circus on Sandusky and Paterno

and deservedly so.

Im so disgusted at the entire Penn state football staff, department and Athletic department.

you've got Coaches who are 1st and foremost teachers turning a blind eye to children being molested ON CAMPUS, in the football building. You gotta be kidding me.

"Yes, they deserve to die and I hope they burn in hell"

 

[af1 1982]

People are saying Joe Pa will step down because of this are just plain ignorant. It has been rumored he was gonna retire months before this happened. Urban Meyer has been sitting in on practices all season. If Joe does leave this season, it WILL NOT be because of the scandal. He did what he was supposed to do in reporting the incident he knew about. It's AD Curley to blame for knowing about the incidents and trying to cover them up.

 

[doublejs07]

Originally Posted by af1 1982

People are saying Joe Pa will step down because of this are just plain ignorant. It has been rumored he was gonna retire months before this happened. Urban Meyer has been sitting in on practices all season. If Joe does leave this season, it WILL NOT be because of the scandal. He did what he was supposed to do in reporting the incident he knew about. It's AD Curley to blame for knowing about the incidents and trying to cover them up.

Sandusky was STILL allowd on campus after he got caught by the GA.  I don't see how ANYONE can vouch for JoePa with him knowing of what went down in the showers etc.  He's caught up in this mess....he turned a blind eye.  He's not making it out of this w/o having to step down. 
  

 

[gunna get it]

Joe Pa knew of the incidents too. He is just as much to blame for the cover up

Its his responsibility to get the authorities involved.

 

[scott frost]

Does the NCAA sanction schools that allow pedophilia in the locker room?

 

[af1 1982]

The thing is, Joe Pa DID report it. A graduate student and his father saw an incident, told Joe, and Joe told who he was supposed to tell. He did what was required for him in that situation. Federal Grand Jury has no implication whatsoever of Joe Pa doing any wrongdoing.

I go to Penn State and I have access to a lot more information than NT with the local papers and even the school paper. I'm not trying to sound all high and mighty but I think I know what I'm talking about. I'll try to keep you guys updated about what's going on around campus. Last night, there were protestors outside the Old Main building demanding for answers. People are in an outrage in the State College Area right now 
If anything, Paterno is the only person who did anything right. It is Curley and Schultz to blame. It is unfair to blame the entire athletic department for the wrongdoings of a few individuals. 

In the mean time, if you want GOOD information and GOOD coverage on the story, visit the school newspapers website.

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/

 

[airjordan jb23]

This is the first time Im hearing about this... More coverage definitely needs to be done.

at this situation as well.

 

[af1 1982]

[h1]

[h1][/h1]
Scandal tarnishes PSU's brand

By Emily Kaplan

Collegian Columnist

In a couple years we’ll be alumni, driving back to StateCollege for football Saturdays.

 

Before kickoff, we’ll stand with the other 100,000-plusNittany Lion faithful at Beaver Stadium and sing our alma mater. We’ll recitethe lyrics, which are about respect, integrity and success with honor — thefoundations Penn State prides itself on.

 

But I can’t help but wonder what those words will mean intwo years, or beyond.

 

I can’t help but fear that everything we once proudlybelieved is now tainted because of one man’s alleged disgustingly reprehensibleactions and others apparently concealing the crimes for fear it would tarnishthe university’s brand. And these men were supposed to be leaders, true blueand white.

 

So in a couple years, we will sing the song, but perhapswith a dual meaning.

 

For the glory of old state...

 

For the school that has supposedly valued integrity off thefield over success on the field. For the school which proudly promotes that ithas never committed a major NCAA violation, has one of the higheststudent-athlete graduation rates in the nation and the No. 1 student section inthe country.

 

For her founders strong and great...

 

For the legends that built this school and the leaders thatmaintained it. For those decision-makers who thought it was more important topreserve an unblemished reputation than do the right thing and find justice fora victim.

 

For the future that we wait...

 

For the weight that our degrees hold based off of theconnotations — good or bad — that go along with Penn State University.

 

And then we’ll get to the line, “May no act of ours bringshame...

[/h1]

 

[RyGuy45]

Joe Paterno, Tim Curley and Gary Schultz were aware of incidents as early as 2002. Curley testified to the grand jury that he "advised Sandusky that he was prohibited from bringing youth onto the Penn State campus from that point forward." Seven years later, in the summer of 2009, Sandusky was still hosting overnight camps for children as young as 9 at other Penn State schools.