The Lions' Pride

I definitely dont want to read about it, but I also wish it didnt happen. I do think it is an important question as things currently stand though, so I can certainly understand why Sean would continue to get the question in there.

Why? If a kid has committed to Penn State, doesn't it go without saying that he has thought through the ramifications of his decision? We all know that even if our staff doesn't bring it up, every other school recruiting him will. So, we know that he will have made the choice to help restore the good name of the University whether or not he is asked about it.

As big as a problem as this was, this isnt going away soon. I'm sure most of us PSUers hate that this is bought up everytime. I knw i do. But i hope in time it will somewhat go away, because i too hate to read it every single time, in every other article that comes up about PSU recruiting. We have had a rough couple of months, but things are starting to shine once again in Happy Valley. All E**N ever writes about PSU is regarding the scandal. Neways, give it some time to pass and in the meanwhile, just bypass those comments and read the real meat of the articles. Chill!

I understand where you're coming from but I respectfully disagree. When asked tactfully and respectfully, it's a question that I think deserves to be asked. It's a story that isn't going away and, quite frankly, is one that has and will continue to shape the outlook for the program moving forward. In reality, when I ask the question it's not about Jerry Sandusky, (Trust me, if that were the case it wouldn't be asked) it's more about the direction the program that is headed in. Personally, I approach it the same way that I would broach the subject about Joe Paterno's longevity when he was still head coach. Usually, the wording ends up something like, 'What makes you confident in your choice....' To me, that's a way of going about it that is both respectful of the players' choice and his intelligence level.

Look, you guys have followed me for a while now and I hope you don't think I'm some blind homer who likes to pump you so full of sunshine that you can't see different sides of what is going on. It's a serious question, no doubt, but the answers are also a credit to the way that the young men who are answering it have handled themselves and have handled the situation. It's not something that is going away soon, unfortunately, and I think you guys know as well as I do that the question isn't going to be one that isn't asked anytime soon. I try to cover as many bases as I can in my interviews, and flat out, if I don't ask it, someone else will.

I hope this is an acceptable answer to explain my viewpoint on the situation.

From my perspective, the recruits' stated responses to the circumstances have been some of the more mature, refreshing, and balanced public responses since this situation unfolded. THEY are now agents of swaying public/media perception and creating positive PR with their ability to place the scandal in proper context. IMO...I think it's somewhat courageous for these kids to take the unpopular stance on what is a lightning rod issue nationally. I look forward to reading their comments and believe that they resonate positively with other recruits and their families. Someone needs to be willing to defend the University and program in a positive light. I applaud the kids for their willingness to do it when they're under no obligation to do so.

Sandusky hasn't even had a trial yet, so it is just silly to hope that the issue will go away or that recruits will not have an opinion on it. As a matter of fact, we should expect the Sandusky coverage to heat up once the trial starts, so it's good to have an idea where recruits stand now so we can be prepared if they might be inclined to flake out like recruit X, O'Connor and others.

I kind of see at as positive PR when this question is asked. It was and will be a very negative stigma for PSU and for a long time so when a recruit chooses us over the likes of Alabama, OSU, ND or another big football program it sends a message to other recruits. That message is part of the healing processes and it tells everyone even those that are scared to give us a look that it IS okay to choose PSU. We have a new staff and are moving forward from what happened to the university NOT the football program. We are Lions, We are Champions, We Are Penn State!

From someone outside PA, I think that some of the PA posters here probably don't have overwhelming experience as to just how venimous many people are regarding PSU and the PSU football program. I teach in central NY and I've had to explain myself to entire classes of youth who have no idea why I would wear a Penn State tie, especially not being an alumni. Talking about having respect for Joe Paterno isn't even a conversation I'm willing to have with most people b/c they end up thinking I'm part of a cult of personality, even though I'm well spoken and have 1001 good points. And this is even after the entire school heard about my "epic 5th period rant" about the failures of administration shortly after the story broke, in which I used the S and A words to express my displeasure with what happened.

Having a recruiting trail filled with high-profile recruits with intelligent things to say regarding seperating Penn State and the scandal that happened is only a good thing. It may make people around the country who don't get it think twice.