24
November 2012
Penn State survived year-long scandal by Ryan Beckler It’s been a year now. A year since the largest collegiate scandal rocked Penn State’s foundation. Within that time, three men have been charged of crimes, several lawsuits have been filed, and harsh sanctions were levied. However, with all that has transpired in the last twelve months, the judicial, legal, athletic wheels are still turning in Centre County. Just a few weeks ago, Judge John Cleland ruled that Jerry Sandusky was to never live a day as a free man again. Cleland handed down what is essentially a life sentence of 30-60 years in prison to the 68-year-old former Penn State assistant football coach. Sandusky, who was found guilty on 45 of 48 criminal counts back in June, has continually denied his actions that jury convicted him of. “I did not do these terrible disgusting acts,” Sandusky said at his sentencing hearing on Oct. 9. Victims and their family members submitted several statements to Judge Cleland before the sentence was deliberated upon and announced. “Shame on you,” one letter from the mother of Victim 9 read. “Shame on you, Mr. Sandusky. There is no punishment sufficient for you. You are a horrible person.” Sandusky and his defense team plan to appeal the trial that resulted in a lifelong jail sentence. Joe Amendola, Sandusky’s lead attorney, has repeatedly said that the appeal will revolve around Judge Cleland’s refusal to delay the trial. “We believe that if we had enough time that we would’ve had the opportunity to prove Jerry’s innocence,” Amendola said shortly after his client’s sentencing hearing. While Sandusky’s free life has come to a close, one of his victims has begun to publicly speak out about his abuse.
“A victim means people feel sympathy for you, I don’t want that. I would rather be [considered] someone who did something good.” Aaron Fisher, Sandusky victim 1 Aaron Fisher, the man previously known as Victim 1 in the Sandusky case, has recently come forward and released his identity to ABC. Fisher’s initial allegations against the former assistant coach triggered two grand jury investigations that eventually unearthed several other victims. He believes that his high school administrators are among those who have failed him. Fisher, who first met his abuser when he was 10 years old, said that Sandusky would often take him out of class, though he did not want to go. According to an interview with 20/20, when Fisher told Central Mountain High School officials what had really been occurring between himself and Sandusky, the officials told his mother, Dawn Daniels, to “go home and think about it.” Fisher said he doesn’t want to be considered a victim anymore. “A victim means people feel sympathy for you, I don’t want that,” Fisher said. “I would rather be [considered] someone who did something good.” He plans to move on with life. Fisher hopes to attend college and become a police officer so he can help prevent crimes such as the ones he’s suffered. He’s just glad that justice has finally been served. “If you are persistent and you continue
to fight for what you know is right and what you absolutely think and know is right, then good will prevail and you will get justice out of it,” Fisher told ABC’s 20/20. Meanwhile, the sanctions levied against the Penn State football team don’t seem to holding them back anymore, on the field, at least. After a sluggish home-opener against Ohio and a heartbreaking road loss at Virginia, many pundits wondered if this team would win even three or four games. However, Bill O’Brien seems to have righted the ship and has his team playing spectacular and at times dominating football.
“If you are persistent and you continue to fight for what you know is right and what you absolutely think and know is right, then good will prevail and you will get justice out of it.” Aaron Fisher
The Nittany Lions have been starting out fast. Through seven games, Penn State has outscored opponents 66-0 in the first quarter. Much of that success can be attributed to the resurgent Matt McGloin. McGloin, who often looked unsteady in the offense in 2010 and 2011, has looked very poised and confident while guiding his team to five straight victories. Penn State isn’t just winning. They’re often winning in very convincing fashion. Bill O’Brien has navigated his first two Big Ten road tests with ease, blowing out both Illinois and Iowa in front of their own fans. Sandwiched between those games was an unlikely 4th quarter comeback against a ranked Northwestern Wildcats squad that seemingly had the game won after a late 3rd quarter punt return. Bill O’Brien and his team persevered though, just as they had been since January, by scoring 21 straight points in the final quarter to seal a 39-28 victory. It’s certainly been a trying year for Penn State and the surrounding neighborhoods, but legal progress and communal endurance have been evidenced as the days and months go on. It is the individual and collective perseverance of the men and women in this town that will serve as the bricks that rebuild this community.
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