Specifically, I'm
bored of the trustees of the Pennsylvania
State University (which is the correct name, you know, as opposed to "Penn State"). Of course, I'm
actually more than bored; I'm indignant at that body for dismissing head
football coach Joe Paterno. Mike McQueary, a member of Paterno's staff, says
that in 2002 former defensive
co-ordinator Jerry Sandusky and a 10-year old boy were on campus in connection
with Sandusky's charity, and that he witnessed Sandusky sodomize the boy in the
shower at the football complex. He reported
the alleged incident—Let's not forget (although I'm certain that this fact
didn't even occur to most of us, in this age of guilty-until-proven-innocent
mentality) that this is, so far, only allegation—to Paterno, who relayed notice
thereof to athletic director Tim Curley
and vice president Gary Schultz, who told the university president (who also
has been sacked). The university barred
Sandusky from campus, but apparently failed to alert the police, as State law
required; Curley and Schultz have now been charged with that crime, as well as
perjury. Sandusky is accused of
molesting eight boys over a 15-year span; Paterno is not suspected of any
wrongdoing. Curley, Schultz, and Paterno have all testified that what they
heard about Sandusky's behavior in the purported incident paled in comparison
with what McQueary related to a grand jury.
On
Wednesday, Paterno said "I have come to work every day for the last 61
years with one clear goal in mind: to serve the best interests of this
university and the young men who have been entrusted to my care. I have the
same goal today. That's why I have decided to announce my retirement effective
at the end of this season." (He also said "I grieve for the children
and their families, and I pray for their comfort and relief" and
"with the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more," and that he
is "absolutely devastated by the developments in this case," which he
called "one of the great sorrows of my life.") Why wasn't this
acceptable to the trustees, who, later that day, made the termination of his illustrious career effective immediately?
Paterno reacted with far more grace than was demonstrated by those who had
sacrificed him, saying: "I am disappointed with the Board of Trustees'
decision, but I have to accept it. A tragedy occurred, and we all have to have
patience to let the legal process proceed. I appreciate the outpouring of
support but want to emphasize that everyone should remain calm and please
respect the university, its property, and all that we value. I have been
incredibly blessed to spend my entire career working with people I love. I am
grateful beyond words to all of the coaches, players, and staff who have been a
part of this program. And to all of our fans and supporters, my family and I
will be forever in your debt."
And so, the same
institution that elected to retain corrupt scientist Michael Mann, even when
the Weathergate scandal was yet fresh, has discharged the most famously
scrupulous personage in US collegiate sports, even though his departure was
less than two months off. There's nothing trusty about those trustees.
