Penn State Scandal: NCAA To Investigate

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The NCAA announced it will investigate Penn State University for its handling of the sexual abuse scandal involving former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, notifying university president Rodney Erickson of its decision in a letter signed by president Mark Emmert. "I am writing to notify you that the NCAA will examine Penn State's exercise of institutional control over its intercollegiate athletics program, as well as the actions, and inactions, of relevant responsible personnel," Emmert writes. Penn State may have violated bylaws 19.0.1.2 and 10.1. The former bylaw reads, in part:

Individuals employed by or associated with member institutions for the administration, the conduct or the coaching of intercollegiate athletics are, in the final analysis, teachers of young people. Their responsiblility is an affirmative one, and they must 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. Much more is expected of them than of the less critically placed citizen.

Sandusky is charged with 40 counts of child sexual abuse, with eight boys having come forward alleging incidents spanning 15 years; some of these alleged encounters occurred on Penn State property. According to grand jury testimony, wide receivers coach Mike McQueary--since placed on administrative leave--walked in on Sandusky raping a boy in a Penn State shower facility in 2002 and notified coach Joe Paterno, who then notified his superiors. Though McQueary and Paterno have not been charged with a crime, former athletic director Tim Curley and senior vice president Gary Schultz are charged with perjury for providing false testimony before the grand jury. The university fired Paterno and president Graham Spanier in the wake of Sandusky's indictment.