# Rick Reilly: Penn State deserves the death penalty for Sandusky **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 15, 2012, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271 "2012-07-15T02:20:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/141 "2012-07-17T16:25:06Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > In the same way, the NCAA has every right to punish schools for violating NCAA rules, They DON’T have the authority to punish a school for immoral or even criminal activities that don’t fall under their rules. That’s good, we’ll just file this under violations of sections 2.1, 2.4, 3.2.4.12 and 11.1.1 ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/142 "2012-07-17T16:27:51Z")
> [@brickbacon](#): > > At least you are consistent. Because if you want to talk about mission, the academic department in your hypothetical scenario has obviously lost sight of their mission. In that case, it’s appropriate to close up shop temporarily and reevaluate priorities. I do advocate the death penalty for Penn State, but not permanently. I think one year would be reasonable. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/143 "2012-07-17T16:46:30Z")
> [@brickbacon](#): > > That’s not even considering the fact that you are naive enough to believe their stated mission statement which flies in the face of their actual conduct. **[MODERATING]** I have specifically asked that people cut down on the personal jibes in this thread. Evidently your understanding of my request was not sufficiently clear. I am no longer asking, I am ordering. You will restrict yourself to the topic and arguments thereof or you will not post in this thread. No official warning, but this is the final straw, and that applies to everyone. This isn’t the Pit. RickJay Moderator ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/144 "2012-07-17T17:19:17Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > I think your opinion exists because you are an alum of Penn State. I don’t seen anybody else opposing the NCAA death penalty. Really? There is a poll in the other thread where the _majority_ of people oppose the death penalty. I also oppose the death penalty for Penn State, and I an neither a alum, nor a college football fan. > [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > Because if you want to talk about mission, the academic department in your hypothetical scenario has obviously lost sight of their mission. In that case, it’s appropriate to close up shop temporarily and reevaluate priorities. > > I do advocate the death penalty for Penn State, but not permanently. I think one year would be reasonable. How many people to you think would agree with you? ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/145 "2012-07-17T17:25:01Z")
> [@brickbacon](#): > > Really? There is a poll in the other thread where the _majority_ of people oppose the death penalty. That poll was created in November, before the Freeh report was released, indicating the extent of the institutional nature of the coverup. I think the findings of the report have illuminated details of the case which might impact the results a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Nauplius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nauplius/32/51_2.png) [@Nauplius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nauplius)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/146 "2012-07-17T17:26:53Z")
[quote=“brickbacon, post:144, topic:628271”] Really? There is a poll in the other thread where the _majority_ of people oppose the death penalty. I also oppose the death penalty for Penn State, and I an neither a alum, nor a college football fan. QUOTE] That poll was started back in November before all the information was out about the cover up. If you look at the current entries you’ll see people flipping their votes. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/147 "2012-07-17T17:31:11Z")
Does anyone her believe schools (HS _and_ colleges) shouldn’t sponsor extracurriculars at all? ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/148 "2012-07-17T17:33:57Z")
No. Athletics is, on balance, a net positive, and we should encourage young people to participate. The fact that they make for an enjoyable spectator activity is just icing on the cake. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/149 "2012-07-17T17:37:38Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > I think your opinion exists because you are an alum of Penn State. I don’t seen anybody else opposing the NCAA death penalty. Let’s be clear on this: I’ve never attended a PSU game, I couldn’t care less about the football team, and frankly I’ve been pissy at the way the athletic department is treated ever since freshman year, when my aerospace engineering class was told we’d have to pay licensing fees to the Athletic Department to use the lion-head logo on the wing of a racing R/C glider in an intercollegiate competition for same. I’d say the same about any other university. ---
**Author:** ![Aizle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Aizle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aizle)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/150 "2012-07-17T17:47:57Z")
> [@brickbacon](#): > > Getting rid of football would mean they have less money for labs, that they attract fewer students, and that have to spend more to entice students to go there. I’d love to see a cite for any athletics revenue going to anything other than the athletics program, because frankly I don’t think it happens. And if your focus in on academics and education, students that pick their school based on the football program are students you probably don’t want to have anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Aizle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Aizle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aizle)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/151 "2012-07-17T17:50:54Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Does anyone her believe schools (HS _and_ colleges) shouldn’t sponsor extracurriculars at all? Extracurriculars are fine. The issue is when the tail wags the dog, and the extracurriculars become the focus of the school and not the education. This has pretty demonstrably become the case at Penn State. I would argue it’s also the case at scores of other colleges as well. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/152 "2012-07-17T17:58:32Z")
> [@Aizle](#): > > I’d love to see a cite for any athletics revenue going to anything other than the athletics program, because frankly I don’t think it happens. It’s rare, but it happens at Penn State. > [@Onward State](#): > > Penn State Athletics made $18 million in profit in 2009-2010. No tuition money goes towards the Athletic Department, in fact the Athletic Department contributed $12 million to the University’s general operating budget in the form of tuition for all of its scholarship athletes. I’m under the impression that most programs at the college level run at an operating loss, and the scholarships for athletes come out of the general fund. > **[Cracking the Budget Mystery](https://onwardstate.com/2011/04/12/cracking-the-budget-mystery/)** > > Onward State breaks down the Penn State's operating budget and explains why the state appropriations cut is so significant to PSU. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/153 "2012-07-17T17:59:12Z")
**Aizle** -Completely agree that “the tail wags the dpg” at D-I schools. ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/154 "2012-07-17T18:02:00Z")
> [@Aizle](#): > > I’d love to see a cite for any athletics revenue going to anything other than the athletics program, because frankly I don’t think it happens. > > And if your focus in on academics and education, students that pick their school based on the football program are students you probably don’t want to have anyway. I am not necessarily saying football revenue goes to other things. In many cases, even the big programs lost money. The point is that schools like Penn State would have nowhere near the visibility, fundraising power, and cachet without sports. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/155 "2012-07-17T18:08:01Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Does anyone her believe schools (HS _and_ colleges) shouldn’t sponsor extracurriculars at all? Would you care to explain how this question might be relevant to this issue? ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/156 "2012-07-17T18:11:19Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Would you care to explain how this question might be relevant to this issue? Many posters are claiming that non-academic pursuits are irrlevent to a school’s mission. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/157 "2012-07-17T18:13:06Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Many posters are claiming that non-academic pursuits are irrlevent to a school’s mission. Is that right? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/158 "2012-07-17T18:14:59Z")
> [@brickbacon](#): > > The point is that schools like Penn State would have nowhere near the visibility, fundraising power, and cachet without sports. And Penn State will probably experience the downside of all that in the coming years even if they don’t get the death penalty. They’re going to have a hard time selling jerseys and tickets and getting out of state players and attracting donations. If one program is responsible for such a huge chunk of your publicity and fundraising, you’re in a lot of trouble if something happens to that program. And as far as that “cachet” goes, there are really only a few schools at the level of Penn State in terms of athletics and what it means to the school. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/159 "2012-07-17T18:18:40Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > Many posters are claiming that non-academic pursuits are irrlevent to a school’s mission. No, they are claiming that non-academic pursuits are not so important that it’s better to have a corrupt program than no program at all. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2012, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271/160 "2012-07-17T18:20:20Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > It seems to me that both Brickbacon and Left Hand are right, on most of their points. It’s just that Brickbacon is more focused on the current _reality_ of how football fits into certain universities, while Left Hand is focusing on how he _wishes this were not so_, and is suggesting first steps which should be taken to eventually arrive at that state. This is what I’m refering to vis-a-vis arguing what exactly is part of a schools mission. (FTR I’m in **brickbacon** ’s camp) ETA: **Bosstone** hadn’t posted when I wrote the above. I agree corruption needs to be dealt with, and harshly, but to argue sports and band don’t contribute to a school is silly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rick-reilly-penn-state-deserves-the-death-penalty-for-sandusky/628271.md?page=9)