Slamming the Door on Slammer-dusky



I've watched enough MSNBC prison specials to know that they will not be stroking Sandusky's head lovingly. 1

Former Penn State University defensive coordinator and convicted child molester Jerry Sandusky was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison this morning. The lengthy sentence all but assures that the 68 year old Sandusky will spend the rest of his deplorable, parasitic life in prison.

CLOSURE

I don’t know if there can ever be complete closure on this tragedy. There were several victims that testified against Sandusky at his trial earlier this year, but the number of actual victims scarred for life by Sandusky may never be known. Still, any victims, known or unknown can go to sleep at night knowing that the man responsible for abusing them while in a position of trust will never see the light of day again from outside of a prison wall.

Have fun where you're going! 3

CARNAGE

Sandusky was convicted and sentenced for violent sex offenses against children, whose wounds may never completely heal. However, the damage caused by Sandusky’s vile, disgusting proclivities reach far beyond the victims he physically touched. The entire community of State College, Pennsylvania was rocked in a manner that nobody will ever forget.

Shortly after the fallout of the Sandusky indictment began to come to a head in the media, Joe Paterno, who spent 61 years as a coach in the Penn State football program, 46 years as Head Coach, was fired quickly, unceremoniously, and without notice for his failure to act following a board meeting of the Penn State trustees last November. University President Graham Spanier also resigned that evening in lieu of termination. Soon thereafter, it was announced that Paterno was being treated for lung cancer. Paterno died on January 22, 2012 at the age of 85.

While Paterno was very advanced in age at the time of his death, and while lung cancer is a serious disease with a very low five year survival rate, many, myself included, speculated that Paterno died so quickly because of a broken heart, perhaps losing the will to live after job synonymous with his very identity was taken from him. The statue of Joe Paterno, which stood in front of Beaver Stadium, was removed this past July after an independent report revealed the degree of Paterno’s complicity in covering up Sandusky’s indiscretions.

The NCAA vacated 111 Penn State wins between 1998 and 2011. Those wins were stricken from Paterno’s coaching record. The university was fined $60 million by the NCAA and was banned from any bowl appearances for the next four seasons. While the university is responsible for its own cover-ups, the fallout from those cover ups, and the permanent stain on its reputation and Joe Paterno is responsible for his failures, etc., the twisted, predatory tactics of Sandusky was what made the collapses and falls from grace by everyone involved possible.

Say goodbye to Statue Joe. 2

REACHING BEYOND THE DIRECTLY AFFECTED

Of course, with far less buzz surrounding the Penn State football program, businesses that profited heavily on Saturdays in the fall on which Penn State had a home football game are not faring as well as they did last season. The team is gong nowhere for the next four seasons, no chance of a bowl appearance. This is going to drain the energy and enthusiasm of even the most die hard college football fan in Happy Valley.

The Penn State community and the surrounding area in State College, PA, has had its reputation ruined, immediately associated with a repeat offender of one of the most heinous crimes committed by man. Paterno’s legacy, left to his family to carry on, has been damaged beyond recognition and repair in spite of over 60 years of leading a successful football program.

Sandusky’s family, who was not involved in his crimes, will carry a black cloud over it’s head no matter where they go. Sandusky didn’t just throw away his own life because of his sexual sickness. He took the entire Penn State community with him.

Better you than me, young lady! 4

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.

The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/.

1) Image from a prior edition of The Daily Hat Trick from http://thedailyhattrick.blogspot.com/2012/06/todays-chick-pic-everyone-will-want-to.html
2) Image from http://articles.latimes.com
3) Image from www.post-gazette.com
4) Image from www.360sportsnetwork.com