Penn State alumni feel impact of scandal and NCAA sanctions - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

Penn State alumni feel impact of scandal and NCAA sanctions

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By Gil McClanahan, Reporter - bio | email

As Joseph Emerson gets ready for another year of teaching in Cabell County Schools, on his mind are the sanctions against his alma mater, Penn State University from the scandal involving Jerry Sandusky and the cover-up by top university leaders.

"I do feel some shame.  I do feel some shame because it's bears to be lumped together with the association," said Emerson, a 2006 graduate of Penn State University.

Investigators named Coach Joe Paterno as part of the cover-up.  Emerson remembers shaking hands with the Penn State legend.

"You don't want to believe he actually did this.  It's sort of like the feeling that children get when whenever they find out that Santa Claus isn't real.  It's total disbelief," said Emerson.

"It's not about cheating.  It's about control," said Rick McCann, Sports Editor for the Huntington Herald-Dispatch.  "This was a message sent to every school, the Marshall's, West Virginia's, everybody that you've got to be in control.  You've got to have a handle on what's going on in your programs.  You just can't let it run wild," said McCann.

"It's going to take a long time for them to bounce back from this.  Actually it's going to take 10-15 years I think," said Emerson.

Emerson said it's also going to take time for him to say once again that he's a proud alumnus of Penn State.