NCAA Fines Penn State $60 Million, Vacates Wins From 1998 to 2011

NCAA President Mark Emmert announced Monday, during a 9 a.m. press conference, that Penn State University would be fined $60 million, with the funds to be used to fund an endowment to serve victims of child abuse. Penn State will be ineligible for post season play for four years. The football program’s scholarships will be reduced for four years. All of the program’s wins between 1998 and 2011 will be vacated. Current students will be allowed to transfer and compete immediately at the school they transfer to. Penn State’s athletic department will be placed on probation. President Emmert cited a concern for the community as the motive for not suspending the football program for a year or more. He also said that the sanctions were meant to ensure that sports, specifically the football program, would, “never again be placed ahead of educating, nurturing, and protecting young people.”