I was compelled to write after reading Lonnie Passy's comments chastising the Penn State football program and its players ("Football team's actions embarrass Penn State," April 20). As I understand it, our judicial system is based on the premise of one being innocent until proven guilty. None of the players have been legally charged, yet Judicial Affairs took action by suspending two of them and placing the third on probation. How is it that the legal system cannot find evidence for a punishment or even a charge, but Judicial Affairs can? The Penn State staff has used due process as the guideline for their responses with incidents of this nature.

Past players have been disciplined or supported and, in those cases, ultimately exonerated. It appears that the legal system found no evidence to charge the players, so the coaches did not reprimand them. It seems that neither the staff nor the police saw the secret evidence Judicial Affairs has.

I am not sure what evidence backs up Passy's conclusion that, "There is absolutely no authority that surrounds our Penn State football program," but I would be anxious to see it. Passy asked, "Shouldn't these full-time scholarship athletes be focusing on the upcoming season and not picking fights at skate parties?" I am not sure what his role in the investigation is, but what evidence shows that these players "picked" the fight? Stereotyping people like this is a dangerous undertaking.

I am proud of our student athletes. Is every student athlete going to live up to this excellence? No, because we're dealing with individuals. I would recommend that Passy read Kevin B. Blackistone's 10-part series in The Dallas Morning News, where he looked at how to regain control of college sports. His conclusion? Use Penn State as a blueprint. Passy's statements are not surprising.

Many have mentally convicted others without the actual facts of the situation. It's true that Penn State has not been without its share of off-field issues, but looking at the track record of the coaching staff paints a different picture.

If Passy is going to continue to stereotype groups throughout his life based on the actions of the few, it is unlikely he will find any groups that he is truly proud of.