We’re still trying to figure out how the NCAA managed to insert its unwelcome presence into the Sandusky mess.

As we understand it, the NCAA is supposed to concern itself with enforcing the rules that guide its members’ athletic programs.

What rules did Penn State violate? Illegal recruiting? Academic eligibility? Paying players? A person who happened to be a football coach committed serious crimes for which he was charged, tried and convicted. Several administrators allegedly tried to cover up these crimes to protect the Penn State brand name.

Let’s consider the same scenario with a different cast of characters.

Suppose a faculty member was observed by an administrative assistant committing the same crimes and reported it to the academic department head, who in turn bumped it up to the dean of the college. After some delays and rumblings about administrative cover-up, the faculty member was charged, tried and convicted.

Then what? Would some outside entity step in and proclaim that they are here to clean up this hotbed of out-of-control academic culture? Would they fine the department, cut its budget, limit the number of students enrolled for the next four years, prohibit any travel to conferences, take away any honors earned by the department since the offending faculty member was first hired?

We doubt it, but it makes about as much sense as the NCAA’s actions against the football program.

Barb and Tom Huntley State College