I was at Penn State from 1954 through spring semester 1958, which is also known as the Rip Engle/Joe Paterno era.
When Paterno was made aware of the Jerry Sandusky activity and situation, I believe that he did in fact report it to higher authorities and assumed that appropriate actions would be taken against Sandusky by appropriate people and agencies. Observing that nothing was done to Sandusky, I believe that Paterno may have been very apprehensive about Sandusky’s continued tenure and security.
Indeed, I believe that instead of Paterno leaving the university, he was smart enough to recognize that staying so long was the only possible way to stop Sandusky from ever becoming Penn State’s head coach.
Instead of being connected to this criminal action by Sandusky and perhaps other administrators, perhaps Joe should be vindicated and celebrated as the only righteous individual involved in this situation.
This to me is the only thing that makes sense in this overwhelming tragedy.
Frank Farrell
Class of 1958
