Dent Applauds Court's NCAA Ruling

My grandson: one of the last at JoePa's statue

Yesterday, a seven-judge panel of the Commonwealth Court issued a ruling in a dispute involving the Pennsylvania Senate, Penn State and the NCAA. Speaking for the Court, Judge Anne E. Covey was critical of the $60 million fine and other sanctions imposed as a result of the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal. The Court refused to overturn a recently enacted sate law that would require the fine to be spent on child protective services in Pennsylvania.

She blasted NCAA sanctions.

"High school athletes who had no involvement in the criminal acts were prevented from obtaining a free college education. Student-athletes, trainers, coaches and support personnel who were taught and trained to be and do their best were stopped from competing and student-athletes from other colleges and universities were also precluded from competing against them by the prohibition against post-season play. Student-athletes, trainers, coaches, administrators and support personnel who had excelled in their jobs through hard work, practice, commitment, team work, sportsmanship, excellence and perseverance were told none of that mattered."

Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent, who has previously proposed legislation that would require greater transparency and accountability from the NCAA, and has urged the restoration of all PSU scholarships, is quite pleased with the decision.

“I wholeheartedly applaud the decision by the Commonwealth Court. As I have repeatedly said, the $60 million in taxpayer money should remain in the state. All of the money – not just 25% of it – should be used to protect Pennsylvania’s children.

He calls the decision "a great step to benefit Pennsylvania’s kids. What great news!"

Dent Wants NCAA to Restore ALL PSU Scholarships

The NCAA plans to "gradually" restore football scholarships to Penn State as a result of "continued progress" made since they were cut as a result of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. But if you ask Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent, all 40 scholarships should be restored now.

Though Dent is happy to see "NCAA revisit its arbitrary and capricious punishment of innocent student athletes," he wants all scholarships restored immediately to "allow more student athletes the opportunity to graduate from a top-rated university.” He has suggested the money should come from the $60 million fine the NCAA imposed on Penn State last year.

Dent, himself a PSU graduate, is joined in calling for the restoration of all scholarships by Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson, whose Congressional District includes Penn State. Thompson condemned the NCAA's "punitive action against innocent students," noting it "only serves to harm past, present and future academic achievers."

In the wake of these sanctions, Dent last month introduced the NCAA Accountability Act. It is designed to standardize the enforcement process and gives students more priority. A four-year scholarships will no longer be revoked if a student is injured or loses his athletic prowess.

Thompson is a co-sponsor of this legislation, which has been referred to the House Higher Education and Workforce training Committee.

While they're at it, put the Joe Pa statue back.

Nike Co-Founder to NCAA: Just Don't Do It

A lynch mob mentality in the MSM has led to a condemnation of all things PSU. Thankfully, some courageous people are now rallying to Joe Paterno's defense. Among them is Nike co-founder Phil Knight. "Just don't do it," he tells the NCAA.