Penn State swimming head coach John Hargis has released a statement, as have all of the head coaches at Penn State, in the wake of the allegations of sexual abuse coverup, and the ensuing NCAA penalties, that has rocked the foundations of college athletics.
The very symbolic timing of the releases shows the unity of the Athletics Department going forward, and is an important first step in establishing open communication. Hargis’ statement re-emphasizes that the swimming program has every expectation to continue to succeed, both in the pool and in the classroom.
As we move forward, we can never forget the heinous crimes that were committed against our youth. We must pave the way to make sure we are committed to the safety and well-being of children everywhere and be the driving force for child protection.
With the unprecedented penalties levied against our university yesterday, we must come together as one now more than ever. The core values of Penn State University are still intact. We, as the swimming and diving program, will continue to strive for excellence both in the pool and the classroom. My staff will continue to build upon the strong traditions that have been laid before us. Success will continue to be achieved in all aspects of the lives of our student-athletes. These student-athletes will continue to be proud of who they are, what they stand for, and who they represent. We will continue to be extremely proud of them.
I ask that all alumni, fans, parents (past, present, and future), and friends of the program join our student-athletes and remain vigilant for this new chapter of Penn State Athletics. We will grow as one and become better as we move forward.
FOR THE GLORY OF OLD STATE!
Best of luck to Penn State athletes! You are still part of the greater community!
Human nature dictates that mistakes will be made. Big mistakes, like not doing more to stop a monster like Sandusky, lead to giant mistakes. The PSU football team will suffer because a few men that couldn’t do the right thing. PSU is a wonderful place, other sports there should not suffer. As long as the rest do the right thing, and continue to do so, this unfortunate horrible mess will correct itself. The wrongdoers will go to prison, and the victims will hopefully recover at least some of their lives. The PSU haters were there before, and have their knives out of course. Carry on, live your lives, and shut out the outsiders that will you anything less than happiness… Read more »
$60 million fine must come from the university & will affect all programs.
Would prospective student athletes really want to be associated with that athletic admin ?
Also remember the students did not do themselves any favors by rioting & damaging Harrisburg when paterno was fired.
There might be some pity but sports at PSU are basically finished.
“sports at PSU are basically finished.”
That’s a bold statement especially from someone who believes Penn State is located in Harrisburg, when really it’s in State College, nearly 100 miles from Harrisburg and worlds apart when it comes to regional distinctions. I grew up in Western PA in a very proud Penn State household and am a graduate of the school as well. I am deeply saddened, disappointed and disgusted at what happened and am still struggling with my emotions.
I find it really hard to believe that enough people will change their mind about being a part of athletic programs at Penn State because of this tragedy for sports to be “finished”, though.
Penn State nation… Read more »
Well, certain alumni aren’t doing PSU any favors by comparing the NCAA sanctions to 9-11. Disgusting.
Football, by it’s lonesome, is the most corrupt of collegiate athletics. Because money and power corrupts, and they do so absolutely.
yeah, but unfortunately as football programs grow so do, for the most part, the rest of athletic programs, right
I am no fan of football, do not care to watch NCAA or NFL, but I can recognise how none of these sports entities stand alone at the collegiate level – and if football isn’t building athletic programs it’s canabalising them. However, I think sometimes we miss the bigger picture in a quest to name a scapegoat and burn an effigy. I think there really is a bigger problem here that is not being addressed – I mean, how could there not be
For something this horrendous to go unchecked, or unadressed, or blatantly ignored, for so long….we are missing something.… Read more »
I would look at it as if the “minor” athletic programs are the hands, etc. Football is the heart. The primary, money-grabbing institution. Win now and win big has always been a mantra, but every swim coach I’ve ever swam under has always emphasized academics as well.
Most likely because in swimming, a career fades into white after college or the Olympic Year immediately after – there is no “NFL” or “NBA” of such, so every athlete knows that they must succeed in class.
Football, on the other hand, the best literally can have “tutors” and such who do their work for them, and focus on their sports career. They are there to play Football, not there for academics.
So much for the great recruiting class PSU pulled in. It looked like to be a program that was about to explode on the NCAA scene, but now the entire athletic department will take a hit. What a bummer.
Really? Has anyone decommitted?
Good job John, we still have a lot of kids who want to swim for Penn State.