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Oak Grove, MO —
Just like everyone else in this country, I am attempting to make sense of Jerry Sandusky.
How is it possible that the well-known, popular assistant coach for the prestigious Penn State football program was able to lead a hideous second life? The situation re-emphasizes the manner in which perspective can be lost in the world of sports. Time will only tell who knew what, when was it known and how the information was processed by persons in a position of power.
When one or two people become the identity of any institution, a crisis is waiting to happen. Apparently when a winning image is all that matters, it becomes possible for unspeakable acts to be swept under the rug.
Sports should be a positive aspect of people’s lives. It should bring out the best qualities of participants. I guess when the highest paid and most recognized person on campus is the coach of one of the revered sports, it opens the door for misuse of power.
Whenever one facet becomes bigger than the school itself, the door is wide open for potential problems. I fully understand the enormous task of university athletic directors and presidents – there are thousands of people to monitor in many different directions.
BUT, some of the facts divulged during the Sandusky trial boggle the mind as to how such a terrible situation could evolve. If it is true that people were aware of Sandusky’s issues and failed to react accordingly because of the magnitude of the Penn State football program, then we have lost sight of our values.
For those of us on the outside looking in, it is extremely difficult to justify that if anyone did have knowledge of coach Sandusky’s actions that swift and strong measures were not taken. Just think of the many lives that may have been spared from his perversity.
If it surfaces that the real reason of looking the other way was to save embarrassment for the football program at Penn State University, then the image of the storied program may be tarnished forever.
n It is amazing that four major pitchers on the Royals staff are facing Tommy John surgery. I agree with the team’s general manager, Dayton Moore, that one possible reason for the increase in this type of injury is due to the increase in the number of games played by young athletes as they grow up.
n The Olympics are one of the positives of sports. With the games just around the corner, new life is breathed into the country as we cheer together as a nation.
n My quote this week is from Abraham Lincoln: “Truth is generally the best vindication against slander.”
Just like everyone else in this country, I am attempting to make sense of Jerry Sandusky.
How is it possible that the well-known, popular assistant coach for the prestigious Penn State football program was able to lead a hideous second life? The situation re-emphasizes the manner in which perspective can be lost in the world of sports. Time will only tell who knew what, when was it known and how the information was processed by persons in a position of power.
When one or two people become the identity of any institution, a crisis is waiting to happen. Apparently when a winning image is all that matters, it becomes possible for unspeakable acts to be swept under the rug.
Sports should be a positive aspect of people’s lives. It should bring out the best qualities of participants. I guess when the highest paid and most recognized person on campus is the coach of one of the revered sports, it opens the door for misuse of power.
Whenever one facet becomes bigger than the school itself, the door is wide open for potential problems. I fully understand the enormous task of university athletic directors and presidents – there are thousands of people to monitor in many different directions.
BUT, some of the facts divulged during the Sandusky trial boggle the mind as to how such a terrible situation could evolve. If it is true that people were aware of Sandusky’s issues and failed to react accordingly because of the magnitude of the Penn State football program, then we have lost sight of our values.
For those of us on the outside looking in, it is extremely difficult to justify that if anyone did have knowledge of coach Sandusky’s actions that swift and strong measures were not taken. Just think of the many lives that may have been spared from his perversity.
If it surfaces that the real reason of looking the other way was to save embarrassment for the football program at Penn State University, then the image of the storied program may be tarnished forever.
n It is amazing that four major pitchers on the Royals staff are facing Tommy John surgery. I agree with the team’s general manager, Dayton Moore, that one possible reason for the increase in this type of injury is due to the increase in the number of games played by young athletes as they grow up.
n The Olympics are one of the positives of sports. With the games just around the corner, new life is breathed into the country as we cheer together as a nation.
n My quote this week is from Abraham Lincoln: “Truth is generally the best vindication against slander.”
