by Bill Moushey
“No one can say that Joe’s contributions to Penn State were anything less than admirable and life-changing for many,” Storm said. “He made many decisions in his life that led to the betterment of many, and he made one decision that did not. Whether we like it or not, his legacy will forever be intertwined with that one decision he made to not do more. No one is perfect, and no one should be held to the godlike status that Joe was held to by so many of his fans. When we place people high up on pedestals and worship them, we leave them with no place to go but down. We set them and ourselves up for failure. I believe Joe Paterno was a great man, and I believe he made a poor judgment call regarding Jerry Sandusky. I can only hope that the release of that secret was able to bring him ultimate peace and grace in his final days. We’re never truly going to know what he knew. He took that to the grave with him. My heart goes out to the faculty members, the workers and the students at Penn State. They didn’t ask for this.”
Storm has argued in court that the identities of the young men who swore under oath to an investigating grand jury that Sandusky molested them must be kept secret because of the shame and stigma attached to their stories. But part of her job is to speak on behalf of those who have yet to be heard publicly, and she is adamant in her belief that their experiences should not remain in the dark. “Shame and secrecy allow pedophiles to operate,” she said.
Storm has written three books dealing with her own experiences. They tell of the wreckage that came after she was raped when she was twelve years old by a man more than twice her age. She spent years trying to bury the shame, turning to alcohol and drugs. Yet she could never rid herself of the ugly burden until she found the courage to speak out. One of her favorite quotes comes from the Irish statesman Edmund Burke, who famously said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”
Storm counseled some of the ten young men who were prepared to testify at Sandusky’s preliminary hearing before it was waived. From personal experience she knows that they and their families will need counseling to reclaim their lives: “You can have a productive, wonderful life. But there’s a place in your soul where it will always exist. You’re never beyond it. On some level, it’s irreversible. It destroys who you are. A pedophile breaks your spirit and steals your soul. The ending hasn’t been written yet. There’s a long road ahead for these victims. Everywhere you turn you see the face of your rapist. It never, ever leaves you. It will haunt you for the rest of your life. But with proper therapy and support, you learn to live with it.”
What upset her about the memorial and Phil Knight’s comments was the missed opportunity to do something for the boys from The Second Mile. Yes, she acknowledged, Penn State has donated a substantial amount of money to create a center for the prevention of child abuse. But those affected most by the Sandusky scandal come from underprivileged families who lack the resources to afford therapy. “I wish they could have done something to provide money for the treatment of the trauma these young men have gone through,” Storm said. “If Penn State truly wants to see those boys heal, why not have people donate to a fund to help them with their healing? In a lot of these cases, they don’t have enough money to feed their families, let alone get treatment for the trauma they’ve been through. Some of these young men have families of their own now. Their families need counseling too.”
Scant attention has been paid to the ethnicity of the young men, due in part to the steps taken to protect their identities. Lawyers say they are a cross-section of Caucasians and African Americans. Their voices will remain mute until they appear in open court, but according to investigators and attorneys involved in the case, a jury may never get to hear the evidence. Under the most aggressive scheduling imaginable, the earliest date for a trial on the fifty-two charges Sandusky must defend himself against is May 2012, but most likely the trial will be scheduled for 2013. A real possibility exists that more charges will be filed, which would push the schedule back further. Even if only one of the cases results in a conviction, Sandusky, at age sixty-eight, would face prison time for the remainder of his life. A plea bargain is very possible. The negative publicity that would result from having ten or more young men testify in open court may pressure some of the principals to persuade Sandusky to take a plea, but prosecutors will most likely accept a deal only if it costs Sandusky his freedom forever. For now, under the terms of his bail agreement, Sandusky cannot leave his home without court permission. Joseph Amendola, his attorney, has said that Sandusky intends to fight the charges to the bitter end. Amendola has refused to respond to numerous attempts to speak on the matter or to issue a statement on Sandusky’s behalf.
The perjury trials of Tim Curley and Gary Schultz are a different matter. Their lawyers are considering separating their cases because the men’s circumstances are markedly different. Curley has vehemently denied knowing anything about abuse allegations against Sandusky except for the 2002 incident witnessed by Mike McQueary. He also has health issues; he is being monitored closely by doctors to make sure there has been no recurrence of lung cancer, diagnosed in 2010. Schultz has more legal hurdles than Curley. Not only was he part of the 2002 inquiry, but he was also aware of the 1998 investigation of Sandusky by campus police. Now retired, Schultz could lose his lucrative state pension if convicted of a felony. Pleading to a lesser charge of “failing to report an incident of abuse” is also a possibility for the lifelong employee of Penn State.
McQueary’s status remains in limbo. The State College native and former Penn State quarterback was placed on paid administrative leave on November 18, 2011. He could remain on paid leave indefinitely while the case plays out. Sandusky’s lawyer has branded McQueary a coward and a liar. Some believe he should have been charged as a co-conspirator because he didn’t go directly to the police after the 2002 shower incident. His chances of returning to the sidelines as a coach at Penn State are unlikely. The new head football coach of the Nittany Lions, Bill O’Brien, has already filled out his staff. McQueary has been steadfast in his testimony that he told his superiors that he witnessed a sexual act between Sandusky and a ten-year-old boy, but defense lawyers believe his credibility will be attacked in either the Sandusky case or the perjury cases. Under Pennsylvania’s 1986 whistleblower law, Penn State may not be able to fire him. He did report wrongdoing, even though he did not rescue the child or go to state or campus police. The university will have to keep him on the payroll or come up with a mutually acceptable severance package. Whether he coaches again anywhere else is an unknown. It may be hard for him to find a position given his close association with this scandal.
Joe Paterno’s son Jay lost his job and his father in less than a month. After seventeen years as an assistant on his father’s staff, including twelve years as quarterbacks coach, Jay was not retained by the new regime. He has been the family’s lead spokesman since the passing of his father on January 22, 2012, and has been the staunchest defender of his father’s legacy. Jay has said he is considering his options, both inside and outside college football. He has resumed writing a column for statecollege.com.
And what of JoePa’s legacy? It is undeniable he had enviable graduation rates, donated more money to his university than any other football coach in history, remained a firm believer in academic excellence, and won a record 409 games. In the insular world of Penn State, he will always be an icon for his countless good deeds. But there will always be questions about a morality issue, one sin of omission stemming from a lapse of judgment. He never said what more he wished he would have done or why he didn’t do it when McQueary told him about Sandusky. His supporters will always argue that he deserved better than to be fired over the phone. But his name has been erased from the Big Ten Conference championship trophy, so clearly the trend people are following at the moment is to distance themselves.
Sandusky’s arrest has tainted the reputation of a first-rate university. Because of his case, colleges and universities across the land are reexamining polic
ies concerning children on campus and their standards for reporting sexual abuse, especially sexual abuse of a minor. Legislatures from Pennsylvania to Louisiana to Oregon are looking into strengthening codes dealing with sex abuse or making it easier for victims to come forward. Federal laws such as the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act may also be strengthened. Sheldon Kennedy, a former National Hockey League player who was sexually abused by the disgraced junior coach Graham James, testified before the U.S. Senate that adults must be educated on how to identify pedophiles to prevent abusers from finding more victims.
Whether Penn State lives up to its promise to be more transparent or reverts to its insular culture remains to be seen. The Penn State family has wounds to heal, and the process will take time. The university has launched its own investigation into the events that transpired and has promised to follow the evidence wherever it leads. The school is also facing probes by the U.S. Department of Education, the NCAA, and the Big Ten Conference, among others.
And what of the young men who, when asked, told investigators they were abused for years? If Jennifer Storm could hold a forum for the survivors of The Second Mile, the topic would be healing and rebuilding trust. Based on her own experience, she cautions that moving forward is a long and painful but necessary journey. “I would acknowledge their bravery in coming forward,” Storm said. “I would acknowledge that they did not waiver in the face of intimidation and public scrutiny and public speculation. I would encourage anyone else to come forward—and there are many others who suffered similar abuse—to join the fight for justice and to stop this monster. And I would call for some sort of fund to help them get treatment.”
This story remains a tragedy, Storm said. She acknowledged the professionalism of Pennsylvania State Police trooper Joseph Leiter, whose one-man investigation helped to crack the case. But the tragic errors or lapses in judgment made by so many of the supposedly principled characters from Penn State and The Second Mile are inexplicable.
“No one comes out a winner. No one comes out a hero. No one tried to stop the violence,” Storm said. “I keep seeing that little boy in the shower. He turns around and sees someone is witnessing what a sexual predator is doing to him. Maybe that witness will do something. Maybe this nightmare will stop. Maybe there will be a knock on the door and it’ll be the police and this will all end. Then, when the knock came, it was Jerry again.”
Throughout his life Joe Paterno was guided by the story of Aeneas, the mythical figure who left the fallen kingdom of Troy and struggled through adversity to found the new empire of Rome. This character from literature was conflicted over the demands of being a leader, and the gods made him suffer when he tried to avoid his responsibilities. Paterno often referred to this story in his informal sessions with sports writers, saying, “As Aeneas found out, life comes down on you with some terrible whacks if you don’t do the right thing.” The theme of tragedy has never been more poignant.
Penn State will move forward, even if some of the legacies need to be revised. Jerry Sandusky, Tim Curley, and Gary Schultz await their day in court. Joe Paterno is in eternal rest. The great institution of Penn State University will certainly shine again. As the alma mater proclaims,
May no act of ours bring shame
To one heart that loves thy name.
May our lives swell that fame,
Dear Old State, Dear Old State.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Frank Weimann of the Literary Group International, our agent, for championing this project. We are grateful to Lisa Sharkey and Amy Bendell of HarperCollins Publishers for their diligent efforts to bring this work to fruition. We never could have gotten this book completed without the careful and creative editing skills of Lisa Pulitzer and Martha Smith, as well as their dedicated efforts under extreme deadline pressures. The authors thank Michael Fuoco for his support and advice. We also thank our families for their understanding and patience during this arduous process.
Photo Section
On August 6, 1999, Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno, right, posed with Jerry Sandusky during the former defensive coordinator’s last Penn State Media Day at State College, Pennsylvania.
(AP Photo/Paul Vathis)
Jerry Sandusky wins the last game in which he serves as defensive coordinator, in a 24-0 shutout over Texas A & M in the December 28, 1999, Alamo Bowl.
(Copyright Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.)
Joe Paterno has a word with wide receiver Tony Johnson during a game against Temple in 2003.
(Copyright Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.)
Joe Paterno argues with a referee while pointing to the replay on the scoreboard in a game against Iowa in 2004.
(Copyright Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.)
Penn State fans cheer during a “whiteout” at Beaver Stadium in a game against Ohio State in 2007.
(Copyright Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.)
Jubilant players carry Joe Paterno off the field after his 400th career win, against Northwestern in 2010.
(Copyright Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.)
Joe Paterno greets Tamba Hali, a defensive star, who returned to Penn State for graduation ceremonies in 2006.
(Copyright Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.)
Joe Paterno addresses the media from his golf cart at a media day in August 2011.
(Copyright Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.)
Joe Paterno awaits the start of his final football practice on November 8, 2011. He was fired later in the day.
(Copyright Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.)
Quarterback Matt McGloin is greeted by fans as he enters Beaver Stadium before the game against Nebraska on November 12, 2011.
(Copyright Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.)
Interim Coach Tom Bradley waves to fans before a game with Nebraska on November 12, 2011.
(Copyright Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.)
The Atherton Street main offices of The Second Mile, founded by Jerry Sandusky in 1977. The charity is considering its options, including closing altogether.
(Bill Moushey)
After Sandusky’s second arrest on child molestation charges, this mug shot was taken at the Centre County Correctional Center.
(Centre County Correctional Center)
Tim Curley’s mug shot taken after his arrest on November 6, 2011, on charges of perjury and failing to report child abuse related to the Sandusky case.
(Pennsylvania Attorney General)
If Gary Schultz is found guilty of perjury and failure to report child abuse, charges for which he was arrested on November 6, 2011, he could lose a $5 million pension benefit.
(Pennsylvania Attorney General)
Hundreds of Penn State students rally in support of Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno outside his State College, Pennsylvania, home Tuesday, November 8, 2011, after he announced he would step down as coach at the end of the 2011 season.
(photograph by Andy Colwell)
Penn State freshman Jordan Barr, center, of Lancaster, holds a sign as he and hundreds of Penn State students gather outside Paterno’s State College, Pennsylvania, home Tuesday, November 8, 2011.
(Photograph by Andy Colwell)
Joe Paterno, former Penn State football coach, speaks to gathered students and media outside his home in State College, Pennsylvania, Tuesday, November 8, 2011, in direct response to his announcement earlier in the day that he would step down as coach at the end of the 2011 season.
(Photograph by Andy Colwell)
Joe Paterno stands at the window of his home to acknowledge support of
students rallying in his front yard.
(Copyright Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.)
Students gathered by the thousands along Beaver Avenue in downtown State College late Tuesday, November 8, 2011, to show their support for Joe Paterno.
(Photograph by Andy Colwell)
Rioters flip over a news van after word that Joe Paterno was fired leaks out across State College, Pennsylvania.
(Copyright Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.)
After organizing a protest, Penn State students converge on campus and in downtown State College, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, to support Joe Paterno.
(Photograph by Andy Colwell)
The Joe Paterno cardboard cutout makes an appearance during a rally against JoPa’s firing.
(Copyright Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.)
