FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[Uncle Rico]

Totally irresponsible speculation on my part....Perhaps JoePa and Penn State did not go after Sandusky as hard as they should have because Sandusky knew a lot more about the program than most outsiders would have, and he could have revealed things about PSU in terms of recruiting, boosters, etc... etc...that they would not have wanted to come to light.  That is the only reason I could think of that they didn't broom this guy out right away and see to it that he was thrown in jail, and instead treat him like a welcomed friend of the program after he "resigned." 

I know that from all appearances they ran a clean program in Happy Valley until now, but for the life of me I cannot understand why they did not put a stop to this guy right from the get-go.  I know my premise is doubtful, but why did this guy do what he did for so long???

[Uncle Rico]

I can see I'm doing a poor of conveying what I was trying to convey.  So moving on......

Anyone who loves college sports has been hit upside the head with a 2x4 with this.  So hard to grasp all of it.

I am with you 100% SAC.  No one thought at the time what OSU did was excusable at all.  They either condoned or turned a blind eye to the players actions, tried to cover it up, lied about it, and then tried to escape with as little punishment as possible.   You could say Penn State turned a blind eye and also tried to cover up or bury the issue.  At least at Penn State SOME people actually owned it (after they were exposed) and resigned, and the board fired their "living legend" without too much debate.   Although what Penn State tried to bury was 10x more despicable than OSU's transgressions, both organizations exercised damage control over making sound moral decisions and doing what was right.

[Raider 68]

As a fellow veteran, I take pride in thanking all those who have served. I also have special thoughts of those I knew who did not return.

[formerd3db]

As a fellow veteran, I take pride in thanking all those who have served. I also have special thoughts of those I knew who did not return.

Raider68:
I did not know you are a veteran.  Nonetheless, I join in thanking you, JK and all those here on our boards who are veterans as well as all veterans everywhere for the service and sacrifice (big and small) that you/they have all done for the rest of us and our country.  So I sincerely salute you all today and not just today because it is Veteran's Day, but everyday.

[RFMichigan]

As a fellow veteran, I take pride in thanking all those who have served. I also have special thoughts of those I knew who did not return.

"I want an officer for a secret and dangerous mission," Marshall declared in a post-Pearl Harbor America. "I want a West Point football player."

God bless our veterans.

OT - I know that there are tons of talking sports heads that just don't have time for it, and I am not a veteran, but every time I watch the Army-Navy game I get tears.

[Raider 68]

As a fellow veteran, I take pride in thanking all those who have served. I also have special thoughts of those I knew who did not return.

Raider68:
I did not know you are a veteran.  Nonetheless, I join in thanking you, JK and all those here on our boards who are veterans as well as all veterans everywhere for the service and sacrifice (big and small) that you/they have all done for the rest of us and our country.  So I sincerely salute you all today and not just today because it is Veteran's Day, but everyday.

formerd3db,

Thanks for the kind words, U.S. Navy, Vietnam era

[sac]

seriously 

http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/Parents-sue-over-blown-call-in-hopes-of-N-M-pla?urn=highschool-wp8428

[ThunderHead]

Regarding the Penn State situation, I don't really want to comment on it other then to say it affects countless people and it's a sad, sad situation.

I do want to acknowledge our veterans, both past and present, and their families - who go through countless days without them while their loved one's serve our great country. Nothing I've ever done on the biggest of stages as a coach on Saturday compares to the sacrifice these people make every single day.

Many people I know who serve, including my brother (US Marine - currently serving in Okinawa Japan, but on special assignment for the carrier game tonight) didn't sign up for the fan fare associated with being solider, but rather out of duty to country, and I often think "these men and women get it", and often as a society we simply don't do enough to show our appreciation.

So even though I know guys like Raider68 didn't do it for the applause or appreciation- you're owed it anyway. "Thank You".

[formerd3db]

Raider68:
You are most welcome.

RFMichigan:
I respect that immensely and is nothing to be ashmaed of or looked at as weird at all.  And, for that matter, I will admit without reservation that I am just like you - I am not a veteran, but I, too, get teary eyed in watching the Army/Navy game as well as sometimes when talking with veterans.  I just appreciate so much what they have done for us - sometimes we have not clue what they went through, again, especially those of us who were never in the military.  Anyway, thanks for sharing your experience.

sac:
Good grief!   That is a perfect example of how many people in our society have lost all sense of sanity.  That is insane and those parents are idiots - they are not sending the right message to their sons.  While it is sad that the situation came down to that unfortunate and unintentional last second gaffe by game officials and clock administrators, unfortunately, that is sometimes the way it goes in life.  Refs and officials are human and sometimes, mistakes are made.  Could not such a disappointment to a teenager in a situation like this be used as a "learning experience" in llfe in some fashion?  I think so.  However, until there is some mechanism that can totally prevent clock malfunctions or until high schools (or our DIII level ) get to instant reply in other types of situations, both of which will probably never happen, then there will be some occasional disappointments like this and controversial judgement calls.  Anyway, I can understand their outrage, yet, IMO, that is taking to too far.  I'm sorry, but that is the truth and reality of that situation, but what we now see in today's society.     

ThunderHead:
Thanks for sharing about your brother and thank you to him for his service.  Your last sentence also says it all and I agree with you.

[realist]

IMO the lesson to be learned from Penn State is we should avoid putting anyone, be they military hero, athlete, coach, politican et. al. up on such a high pedestal that we feel they are incapable of any wrong doing.  One can only imagine that the folks in Happy Valley are now fully understanding that their lack of identifying with, and compassion for the the OSU's, USC's, Miami's, TX Tech. et. al. in their falls from grace have come home to roost.  Pointing out the "sliver" in someone else's eye is fine until the focus is on the "timber" in your own eye. 
One bad apple spoiled the entire barrel.  Most of the apples were good, but what they failed to do was point out and get rid of the bad apple. 
At a time like this I think it is important that everyone guard what they say.  Remember the yardstick you want to measue everyone else with may someday be used to measure you. 

[ThunderHead]

IMO the lesson to be learned from Penn State is we should avoid putting anyone, be they military hero, athlete, coach, politican et. al. up on such a high pedestal that we feel they are incapable of any wrong doing.  One can only imagine that the folks in Happy Valley are now fully understanding that their lack of identifying with, and compassion for the the OSU's, USC's, Miami's, TX Tech. et. al. in their falls from grace have come home to roost.  Pointing out the "sliver" in someone else's eye is fine until the focus is on the "timber" in your own eye. 
One bad apple spoiled the entire barrel.  Most of the apples were good, but what they failed to do was point out and get rid of the bad apple. 
At a time like this I think it is important that everyone guard what they say.  Remember the yardstick you want to measue everyone else with may someday be used to measure you. 

Could not agree more.

[hopewatcher]

realist - Well Put.... (virtual +k)

[formerd3db]

realist:

Ditto; well said.  While we all can certainly express opinions as to what we truly know is right and wrong, as you have well said, it should be done with caution and in the right context (lest one be caught in the "what goes around, comes around" syndrome.  Also, "Do not judge, as ye will be judged ourselves" and..."dont' throw stones", you know, the "glass house" aspect - those are among components of a "great foundation" of which to live by, including in sports, along with "The Golden Rule".  Anyway, again, you put it very well. +k
 

[Uncle Rico]

Ok, allright, since everyone has been asking me for my picks this weekend, here they are...

Trine WINS at Albion in a squeaker
Alma loses at Adrian
Hope wins at Olivet

Go Thunder!

[LetItRain]

That's Clinton Orr he's tackling in that photo.  Circa 2009.   

Great open field tackle on a great Albion player.  Orr is definately fun to watch. 

Good luck to all MIAA teams today wrapping up the regular season!  And congrats to all of the seniors as well!!