Letter: Two Fans Speak Out

Click here to send a letter to the editor.

After five years of hell culminating in an opportunity lost this weekend at Heinz Field, it’s finally time for two Penn State football fans to speak out.

The governing board and administrative leadership at Penn State have failed in their responsibilities to this University at every level.

This epic failure of leadership began late at night on Nov. 9, 2011 when John Surma, on behalf of the Penn State board of trustees and interim administration, fired Joe Paterno in the most publicly callous and disrespectful manner possible. This first in a series of incomprehensible decisions has firmly cemented the national media’s narrative that Penn State – the University, administrators, employees, alumni and fans – created a culture of hero worship that to this day values, above all else, wins and losses on the football field.

They have effectively attempted to erase the very foundation that defines the soul of Penn State football: the Grand Experiment.

In a crystallizing statement following Penn State’s heartbreaking loss to Pitt last Saturday, one of the players admitted the team including he “came out flat”.

Pitt embraced the rivalry. They proudly marched their history and tradition into the stadium on Saturday while instead by their actions and decisions, Penn State leaders expect us to erase our history and tradition. Is it any wonder the team didn’t appreciate the depth of this rivalry? They can’t acknowledge their history. On what foundation of pride and success do they have to build?

We recall a scene in ‘Remember the Titans’ where the team captain admonishes a teammate for “the worst attitude.’ His teammate’s response: “Attitude reflect leadership, Cap’n.” The Cap’n of Penn State’s ship continues to be the very ineffective leaders at the highest levels of this University.

And now, in a decision that defies all logic, totally inconsistent with this Cap’n’s focus toward ‘moving on,’ they announce that they will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Joe Paterno’s first game as head coach. No background. No explanation. No communication of any thought process that led to this commemoration. A decision that is totally inconsistent with every previous ill-fated decision they’ve made thus far and one with the potential to further divide us all.

Because this University’s leaders haven’t and won’t do it, just stand back fellas and we’ll show you how it should be done.

After careful and critical consideration of all available facts including the Office of Attorney General’s own admission that Joe Paterno absolutely committed no crime, that there is no evidence whatsoever of a conspiracy of cover up, that Louis Freeh accusing our University of enabling a culture of hero worship is by his own admission nothing more than “opinion” and because Joe Paterno followed University policy, we – the leadership of the Board of Trustees and University Administration –- with the benefit of hindsight — admit we erred in our decision-making and rushed to judgement. We deeply regret that error and ask that you recognize, given the nature of the situation and the intense media firestorm, why we felt our actions were justified when clearly we should have refrained from any critical decisions and waited for facts to emerge and for due process to run its course. We sincerely appreciate the loyalty we have seen from our students, alumni and fans despite this error in judgement and ask your forgiveness. And we must be clear that admitting this specific error in no way changes our continued support of all the victims of this tragedy as our University at every level remains committed to the support of these victims.

We recognize we now have an opportunity to correct, more in action than in words, some of the significant damage our shortsighted decisions have caused.

Joe Paterno was critical in the development of Penn State as a university well beyond his success on the football field. Sept. 17, 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of Coach Paterno’s first victory as head football coach at Penn State. During his legendary career, Coach Paterno consistently developed young athletes into young men who are among some of the most storied and successful of our many alumni. Along the way, his dedication to the academic development of Penn State University remains his greatest legacy.

Please join us in commemorating the career and life of a man whose dedication to this University, not to wins on the football field, is without question.

See fellas?  Not hard.  Great leaders accept accountability.  You should do what’s right.  And rather than “move on”, help unite us to move forward.

Sad that the leaders of this great institution prefer that we say “We Were”.

Sorry fellas, those of us who know better prefer “We Are”.  And We Are here for this school, Coach Franklin and this team. Yeah, grass roots leaders are the most effective.

About time WE ARE true to our history.

Joe Arcuri

Bill Kasulis