Penn State President Rodney Erickson said Sunday the university removed a statue of late football coach Joe Paterno from campus because it had become an “open wound” for the victims of the child sex abuse scandal.
“I thought that the statue had become kind of a symbol, kind of a lightning rod for the controversy that had erupted over the last eight months,” Mr. Erickson told CBS‘ “Face the Nation.” “I thought that it was an open wound for the (victims).”
But he praised the longtime coach for his dedication to education, and not just football.
“From my standpoint, I see the coach’s contributions to the education life of the university,” Mr. Erickson said. “We will come to understand that he had a very important role over the 60 years in our education. Nothing will change that part of Coach Paterno.”
Mr. Erickson also said the university will give the football program a loan to help pay off the $60 million fine that the NCAA imposed. It will also require the football program to use its financial reserves.
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Tim Devaney is a national reporter who covers business and international trade for The Washington Times. Previously, he worked for the Detroit News, Grand Rapids Press, Portland Press Herald and Bangor Daily News. Tim can be reached at tdevaney@washingtontimes.com.
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