Fox Sports football analyst and New Paltz High School graduate Charles Davis is not totally comfortable with the stiff penalties placed upon Penn State University and its football program, fearing it sets precedent for future sanctions by the NCAA against its member schools. He also feels the ripple effect will hurt the business community in and around State College, Pa., and could endanger all Nittany Lion athletic programs, which rely on profits from football to stay viable.
Davis writes on his website: “While I believe I understand the position that (NCAA) President (Mark) Emmert has taken, I have serious reservations about the penalties and the precedent it sends for future investigations and sanctions at other schools. The people who caused Penn State to tumble from one of the most beloved programs to one of justifiable disgust, are no longer in positions of power at the university. The president, athletic director, head football coach and staff are gone. So, who now bears the brunt of the penalties? Those who remain at Penn State and in State College that had nothing to do with the horrific crimes and neglect that led to innocent children being abused by Jerry Sandusky, a monster who was convicted and sent to prison. And it’s also not just the football program that suffers. If the football team is no longer strong and prosperous, all Nittany Lion sports teams suffer because of a lack of funding.’’
