Penn State, the NCAA and next steps

Hour 1

At a news conference yesterday, Mark Emmert, the president of the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), outlined a set of unprecedented “corrective and punitive” sanctions on Penn State in response to the actions and inactions of University administrators in connection with the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case.  Among the sanctions are a four year ban on post-season bowl games, a $60 million fine, and a reduction in the team’s athletic scholarships from 25 to 15.  In announcing the punishments, Emmert said among the Association’s goals was “to make sure the University establishes an athletic culture and daily mindset in which football will never again be placed ahead of educating, nurturing, and protecting young people.”  Will the sanctions against Penn State have an effect on the culture of big-time college sports?  How will they impact the University, its academic programs, students, faculty, other athletic programs and the State College community-at-large?    We’re joined by three guests with different perspectives — Philadelphia Inquirer columnist BOB FORD Ohio University professor DAVID RIDPATH, and BEN JONES, a Penn State senior who covers Penn State football and basketball for Statecollege.com

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[audio: 072412_100630.mp3]