The Lions' Pride

Yup. Just like you avoided my point on PSU signing the decree under duress. And now choose to ignore what it actually means.

Oh I know what it means, but that would have to be proven. I addressed that. I said at this point the signature is on the paper and the burden to prove is that the NCAA forced them to sign it under duress, and prove that they forced the BOT to approve it under the same conditions. I wish the administration would have let them try and hit us with the Death Penalty as there would be a much better challenge since we were not repeat offenders.

Just a little background on the sanctions (which we know some of it already), from thib4psu on FOS:

"Just got done reading the book "Free the Nittany Lions! The Amazing Saga of the NCAA & PSU Football" by Keith E. Nelson, prof of psychology at PSU and member of the faculty senate. Apparently on the shelves of stores throughout State College (couldn't find it anywhere here in south Florida). Anyone else read this yet?

Although it's a little disorganized (IMO), there were some nuggets I found that I either forgot or had never heard before regarding the NCAA's sanctions and the "process" by which they were developed.

1. This is the first case of the NCAA bypassing its own Committe on Infractions.

2. Apparently there is no public record available as to who in the NCAA Executive Committee voted "yay" and "nay" to giving Emmert the power to be judge, jury, and executioner. So no one in particular can be held publicly accountable for this unprecedented action.

3. Gene Marsh had quite the track record in keeping multiple violations a U of Alabama stalled and negotiated. In fact there were many people in the 'Bama community that expected death penalty sanctions based on violations from 1998-2010, but Marsh worked to prevent it from happening, and was formally recognized there for this effort.

4. Author draws a comparison between Marsh and the fabled Trojan Horse (PSU was the Trojans and NCAA was the Greeks). PSU must have thought Marsh was something special based on his history with Bama, but his involvement appears to have been disastrous for PSU.

5. A former Chair of the NCAA sanctioning committee (not named in the book) made public comments that this case was way out of the NCAA's jurisdiction, and that multiple past NCAA presidents had stated that this position does NOT have power to independently punish players, coaches, or schools.

I guess I didn't really need the ensuing anger & frustration over the holidays, but it is good to see more detailed critiques of the past year hitting public venues. "

Can't say I disagree with you there. I just think this lawsuit is a step in the right direction.

Delete.

Couple of points:
1). The BOT has never formally voted to accept either the Freeh report or the sanctions. They talked about, but a motion for a vote was never made.
2). Its a bit of a grey area, but Erickson probably didn't have the authority to sign the consnet decree, without the approval of the BOT, given the amt of money involved.
3). Erickson said PSU was threatened with the death penalty, Ray and Emmert say no. Someone is lying or being weasely with words. "Oh, we weren't talking about actually killing Rod, just shutting down his football program". IMO, Erickson was most certainly coerced.

IMO, the next move hinges on what actually happened in 1998 and 2001. Who was told what when. Once these facts are known, the Freeh report can be affirmed or refuted. These facts may become known during criminal proceedings, or, if aquitted, C/S/S may choose to reveal details outside of court.

Its a house of cards. If the Freeh reported is refuted, then the BOT can say that they never voted to accept the sanctions, and that Erickson signed illegally. In concept, the BOT could sue Erickson for overstepping his authority, or Emmert/NCAA for accepting Ericksons signature when they knew he didn't have the authority to sign. Emmert and Ray were university presidents, one could argue that they knew a university pres didn't have the power to sign such a decree.

So yah, put me firmly in the camp that says the C/S/S trials are crucial for the future of PSU football.

Yeah, then they give us the death penalty and we have a legit chance at fighting it as we are not repeat offenders (one of a few in major college football).

I agree with the last part. But the same legal experts, including th eones who came to PSU said that it would be practically impossible for PSU to force the NCAA to change its sanctions because of that clause. They all agreed they over stepped, ridiculously in fact, but its hard to beat those things. they have held up so well in court.

This

6 News ‏@WJACTV
Gov. Corbett has set a Wednesday press conference in State College to announce a lawsuit against the NCAA regarding PSU sanctions.

If I had to guess I would say it is to keep the fine money is PA but I guess we can always hope for more.

He saw his poll numbers.

Pete Thamel ‏@SIPeteThamel
Gov's office being vague on suit, but it's expected to combat all NCAA sanctions against PSU. Not just use of $60 million fine.