NCAA restores Penn State wins vacated in Sandusky scandal

STATE COLLEGE - A college student, with earbuds in and a backpack thrown over one shoulder, walked by Cafe 210 West - a Penn State bar - and smiled.

"Cafe," as it's affectionately known, had changed its outside sign from "Cafe 210 West" to "Cafe 409 West."

The number 409 has a deep meaning in Happy Valley; it's the number of wins late former football coach Joe Paterno earned before the NCAA vacated 112 victories (111 of them Paterno's) from 1998 through 2011 as part of the sanctions that resulted from the Jerry Sandusky child-sex abuse scandal.

Since July 2012, "409" had no real, technical meaning. That changed yesterday afternoon.

In a proposed settlement from the NCAA that quickly was affirmed by the university trustees, Penn State's wins from 1998 to 2011 were restored and its $60 million fine will be distributed across the state of Pennsylvania to "activities and programs for the prevention of child sexual abuse and the treatment of victims of child sexual abuse."

With this, Paterno is, again, the winningest coach in major college football, and former assistant and 2011 interim head coach Tom Bradley regained the lone win of his career.

The statement from the collegiate governing body also states that Penn State "acknowledges the NCAA's legitimate and good faith interest and concern regarding the Jerry Sandusky matter."

"Today's agreement with Penn State reaffirms our authority to act," said Kirk Schultz, Kansas State president and chair of the NCAA Board of Governors. "We acted in good faith in addressing the failures and subsequent improvements on Penn State's campus. We must acknowledge the continued progress of the university while also maintaining our commitment to supporting the survivors of child sexual abuse."

On July 23, 2012, NCAA president Mark Emmert announced "unprecedented" sanctions in the wake of the case, including the vacating of wins and the fine, as well as a 4-year bowl ban and 4 years of scholarship limitations. Sandusky, now 70, was convicted on 45 of 48 counts of child sex abuse on June 22, 2012, and is serving a 60-year prison sentence, with eligibility for parole no earlier than 30 years.

After gradual reductions over the years, including a lifting of the bowl ban this past fall, the final change in sanctions was dependent upon approval from the boards of Penn State and the NCAA. Only hours after the NCAA statement was released, Penn State's board of trustees met and unanimously approved the NCAA's settlement.

Harris Pastides, president of the University of South Carolina and a member of the NCAA Board of Governors, said continued litigation would further delay the distribution of funds to child sexual-abuse survivors for years, thus undermining the intent of the fine, which originally was to be handed out nationally.

"While others will focus on the return of wins, our top priority is on protecting, educating and nurturing young people," Pastides said.

State Sen. Jake Corman, whose district includes State College, had filed a lawsuit last year to challenge the university's consent decree.

"Today is a victory for due process, which was not afforded in this case," Corman said a Capitol news conference in Harrisburg. "Today is a victory for the people of Pennsylvania. Today is a victory for Penn State nation."

Penn State president Eric Barron, who was not at the university when the original consent decree was signed, said that the NCAA and Big Ten had a "legitimate interest and concern about the Jerry Sandusky matter" and that both parties acted in good faith.

The president also thanked the university's students, staff and faculty, who have "ensured the highest level of compliance and ethics."

"I know that all Penn State alumni will be gratified to see these 112 restored. These wins belong to the student-athletes, Coach Paterno and his staff, who represented Penn State both in the classroom and on the football field," Barron said in a university-issued statement. "I want to make it clear that we have a tremendous alumni community that cares a great deal for Penn State. It is my hope that this agreement will continue the healing process for all."

The Paterno family, which will maintain its lawsuit against the NCAA "to continue the job of uncovering the full truth in this case," also released a statement in reaction to the settlement with the NCAA.

"Today is a great victory for everyone who has fought for the truth in the Sandusky tragedy," the statement said.

According to the NCAA's statement, Penn State and the college athletics' governing body will enter into a new athletics integrity agreement in accordance with the Big Ten. The university will continue to retain the services of Sen. George Mitchell - Penn State's athletics integrity monitor since the beginning, who was integral in the gradual reduction of the sanctions over the years.

"I am pleased to learn that financial resources to help child sexual abuse survivors will soon become available," Mitchell said in the NCAA statement. "I remain impressed with Penn State's progress to date and look forward to its many reforms and improvements continuing to take root."