Dear Old State

[sienamystic]

I went to Penn State for my MA, so I didn't get the intensive four year experience as an undergrad, nor did I have parents who were alumni as so many of the students do. But I still have a strong fondness for the place since my time there, and have a lot of friends and family connected as well. And of course, I was kind of proud, in a vague way, that Penn State's football culture seemed to be mostly free of the sorts of criminal shenannigans that so many other storied programs struggle with. JoPa was indeed a sort of vague, kindly sprite of a grandfather figure who was the animating spirit of the place.

Jesus Christ.

I'm glad they've gone ahead and sacked the people who should be sacked, which includes Paterno. He may not be legally responsible, but it's hard to fathom someone just letting all this slide without making sure that somewhere, someone was actually investigating such serious charges instead of busily covering them up so that recruitment didn't suffer. And of course, the students in the streets in State College tonight, who are far more invested than I ever was in the mythos of JoPa, are not able to see that - all they can see is that their ikon has been toppled.

Nobody wins here. There's pain to be had all the way down, starting with god knows how many little boys who were brutally assaulted by someone they looked up to. And like a worm in an apple, corruption spreads throughout an entire close-knit community.

Comments

[siliconivy.livejournal.com]

I didn't go to PSU, but growing up in the Philly area, it was always one of those colleges that we were vaguely proud of & cheered on in sporting events, especially football. And I know lots of PSU graduates. So JoP has been a distant figure of respect, given how they all seemed to love him. You nailed it when you said no one wins here.

[(Anonymous)]

Yeah, I grew up in PA and I spent 7 years in State College. I grew up near a branch campus. I will never be a Sports Fan, but I always cheered for PSU football--even turned on the games when I could catch them. Attended them as an undergrad. I've been so sad for my alma mater this week. So much hurt and betrayal. To me, Penn State is way more than football and has so much to be proud of. I know the community will heal. But there will be a permanent change in the whole culture, I think.

~Kate-h