Penn State Scandal: Board Fires Paterno, Students Riot
Students Take To The Streets To Protest The Firing Of Beloved Coach Paterno
After school administrators announced the firing of head football coach Joe Paterno Wednesday night, Penn State students expressed their dismay in a rowdy display of civil unrest.
The announcement was sent to students’ cellphones at 10 p.m., while many quietly congregated outside Old Main to await the news. The 2,200 students then rioted into the downtown area of Penn State, known as Beaver Canyon.
Students chanted: “We love Joe,” “We want Joe,” and “We are Penn State.”
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Students overturned one news truck and two lampposts, the New York Times reported. Others threw rolls of toilet paper and danced on top of cars while police attempted to control the unrest using mace.
“We got rowdy and we got maced,” said student Jeff Heim, 19, to the New York Times.
“But make no mistake, the board started this riot by firing our coach. They tarnished a legend,” Heim added.
YouTube videos show students hurling soda cans and rocks at 100 riot-gear clad police officers.
The turmoil began at Penn Star Hotel and Conference Center Wednesday night, when Penn University’s Board of Trustees announced both Paterno and University President Graham Spanier would be relieved from their positions at the university.
“Do you realize that right now students are rioting because of your decision?” screamed one rogue student.
Another student yelled: “Your campus is going to burn tonight.”
Paterno issued a statement after the announcement, urging students to respect University property and remain calm.
“I have been incredibly blessed to spend my entire career working with people I love. I am grateful beyond words to all of the coaches, players and staff who have been a part of this program. And to all of our fans and supporters, my family and I will be forever in your debt,” said Paterno in the statement.
Students were especially disgruntled because Paterno originally announced he would retire at the end of this football season. Students saw his premature firing as unnecessary for a coach so highly regarded at the university.
“I was honestly shocked,” said sophomore Loren Walden to USA Today.
“A few more games wouldn't have made a difference. I think it's disrespectful,” she added.
Penn State’s reputation is tainted after Jerry Sandusky, a former assistant football coach to renowned head coach Joe Paterno, was charged with the sexual assault of eight boys over a period of 15 years from 1994 to 2009.
He is suspected to have abused the boys during his participation in The Second Mile, a statewide nonprofit organization that helps at-risk kids. Sandusky founded The Second Mile in 1977.
Top officials Tim Curley, the athletic director, and Gary Schultz, vice president for finance and business, are also being charged with perjury and failing to alert police of Sandusky’s sexual misdoings. The two stepped down from their posts at Penn State Sunday.
Curley and Schultz reportedly ignored rumors of Sandusky’s inappropriate behavior.
In March 2002, a graduate assistant at the university notified Paterno he witnessed Sandusky sexually assaulting a nude male victim in the locker room showers.
“As Coach Sandusky was retired from our coaching staff at the time, I referred the matter to university administrators,” said Paterno.
Curley and Schultz took no action after hearing of the assault, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly. Paterno is not a suspect in the case.
Although many students express support for beloved Paterno, others remain critical, suggesting the head coach should have pursued the Sandusky rumors further.
Joe Paterno, at age 84, is one of the oldest major-college football coaches on record. He was in his 46th football season at Penn State when fired, and stands as one of the only coaches in history with 400-plus wins.
