Penn State University officials released a statement Wednesday after Gov. Tom Corbett formally announced the state of Pennsylvania would be filing a lawsuit against the NCAA -- contending they're not involved in the suit.
In the statement, the university said it is committed to complying with the consent decree Penn State President Rodney Erickson signed when the NCAA issued numerous sanctions to Penn State in July as a result of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case and related matters.
Corbett said the lawsuit will attempt to throw out all of the sanctions and said the NCAA operated outside of its bylaws when it handed down the penalties against Penn State. The 63-year-old Republican noted Penn State will not be part of the lawsuit, though over the weekend, Corbett did notify some school officials he planned on suing the NCAA and made his announcement in University Park.
The full statement — which was released via Penn State Live — is as follows:
"The University is committed to full compliance with the Consent Decree, the Athletics Integrity Agreement and the implementation of the Freeh report recommendations. We look forward to continuing to work with Sen. George Mitchell as the athletic integrity monitor for complete fulfillment of the Athletics Integrity Agreement. We recognize the important role that intercollegiate athletics provides for our student athletes and the wider University community. Penn State continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to excellence and integrity in all aspects of our University and continues to be a world-class educational institution of which our students, faculty, staff and alumni can be justifiably proud."
