All About the Student-Athlete
The NCAA has repeatedly said that it is all about the Student-Athlete. But with the recent Penn State sanctions ($60 Million, a four year bowl game ban, 20 less scholarships (10 initially), and vacation of all wins since 1998 (Why not all losses too?)), it seems they are slightly swaying away from it. While I think Penn State should be reprimanded for the lack of action on the matter, I probably wouldn't have done it the same way the NCAA did. First of all, how many of the players or employees will actually feel the effects of the punishment? I don't expect a single person would since they should have been fired immediately after the findings of their involvement. And with the wins being taken away, does this really take away how great of a coach Joe Paterno was on the field? I would say not at all. Those players in those games will remember those wins forever and no one will ever take that away.
I am pretty neutral about the $60 million fine from the NCAA. It's going to programs preventing child abuse or assisting victims. It's seems like money is the easiest way to punish a program but there are many effects overlooked by the public. The main overlooked points is that $60 million is the annual revenue of one of the biggest football programs in the nation. This money doesn't only go towards the football program though; it assists to pay for other sports that are not profitable. As a general statement, only football and Men's basketball programs are profitable in the college game. Most of the money comes from student fees, advertising, and donations. So fining $60 million to the football program will hurt the entire university, especially the other sports. So with that said, does the NCAA really care about the average student-athlete?
I understand a lesson must be taught by the NCAA in this situation so nothing like this ever occurs again. But this, in my opinion, is not the optimal solution. I will say again, those who were responsible, or had the slightest idea of what was going on, should be punished and fired immediately. But punishing student-athletes (Current and future) that have absolutely no connection to the scandal just seems wrong to me.
Should the NCAA have been involved in the first place since this was isn't directly related to the college game? This was a criminal scandal and not to do with any infractions made by the athletics department.