PSU needs some PR Pros!

By now everyone has heard about the child sex/molestation charges facing former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. May I repeat- Jerry Sandusky; not the entire Penn State community- students, alumni, faculty and staff. I may have only attended PSU for a year, but I still feel PSU Pride- my brother is currently going to school in Happy Valley, and my mom works PSU Abington. This is a very sensitive subject and I bet I'm experiencing the same degree of difficulty writing this blog as reporters are writing their articles.

While I'm not going to comment on who did what, or who should have done what (all that information is readily available on any news station website) I will comment on what I know- public relations. After news broke of the scandal, Joe Paterno quickly, maybe too quickly, issued his own statement.

Paterno's statement begins with two words that set the tone for the entire statement. "If true." He can say whatever he wants for the next four paragraphs yet because he begins with "if true," it sounds as though he's trivializing this situation, the victims testimonies and is not quite sure if these eight victims are telling the truth.

The second paragraph echoes the first two words of the statement. "If this is true, we were all fooled, along with scores of professionals trained in such things." Again- he's doubting the validity of these statements and now diverting attention to the "professionals trained in such things."

Paterno goes on to say, "I did what I was supposed to with the one charge brought to my attention. ... Coach Sandusky was retired from our coaching staff at that time and I referred the matter to university administrators." Paterno saying he "did what he was supposed to" leaves much up for interpretation. News stations are saying he may have done what he was legally supposed to but what about morally, as in telling the authorities? 

Paterno's statement concludes with, "I understand that people are upset and angry, but let's be fair and let the legal process unfold." Paterno states that he was informed of the alleged child molestation in 2002 so is it too late to be fair? USA Today states that this legal process should have started nine years ago and now he, along with the university, have to make up for lost time.

Again, I am not here to bash Penn State, but I do not think there is any doubt as to whether these allegations occurred. I think JoePa should have waited to make a statement and his PR people should have chosen the wording more wisely. Joe Paterno has done so many great things at Penn State, not just for the football team. There isn't an athletic building in Happy Valley named for JoePa- there is a library.

Paterno holds a weekly press conference on Tuesdays to discuss the upcoming game and although it was stated that he would only be discussing football today, the press conference was abruptly cancelled. While I think his statement needed some PR help, I think it was a good move cancelling the conference. The audience would be full of reporters hounding him about this subject and no one, not even JoePa can be expected to keep their composure under pressure like that.

In conclusion, and as I previously stated, Jerry Sandusky (along with Tim Curley and Gary Schultz) are the only ones on trial. And although I depicted JoePa's statement, that was for PR purposes and his name is currently clear. People should remember all the good that Paterno has done and should he choose to retire soon or after this season, his reputation should not be tarnished because of this. The PSU community is also not on trial and should not be treated that way. The thoughts of many PSU Alumni is stated in a Facebook status by one my close friends and PSU Alumni:

"Just because people went to Penn State or work there or are simply just PSU fans doesn't mean "We are...ALL at fault." The actions of one sick man doesn't stand for all of the Penn State population so ignorant people need to stop saying things. Certain people did the right thing and others did the wrong thing, but other than the five names involved, none of us have anything to do with this so let us be. "