Topic: Jerry Sandusky

Gerald Arthur "Jerry" Sandusky (born January 26, 1944)[1] is a retired American football coach. In November 2011, he was arrested and charged with 40 counts of sexual abuse of young boys over a 15-year period.[2] Sandusky served as an assistant coach for his entire career, mostly at Pennsylvania State University under Joe Paterno, and was one of the most notable major college football coaches never to have held a head coaching position. He received Assistant Coach of the Year awards in 1986 and 1999.[3] Early life and football career Sandusky was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, the son of Evelyn Mae (née Lee) and Arthur Sandusky. His paternal grandparents were Polish immigrants and his mother came from a small coal-mining town.[4] Sandusky played for Paterno at Penn State, starting at defensive end from 1963 to 1965. After graduating first in his class with a B.S. in health and physical education,[5] Sandusky served as a graduate assistant under Paterno at Penn State in 1966, and then held assistant coaching positions at Juniata College (1967) and Boston University (1968). He returned to Penn State in 1969 and remained there as an assistant coach until his retirement at the end of the 1999 season. Sandusky served as defensive line coach in 1969, became linebacker coach in 1970, and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 1977, holding that position until his retirement. In his years as a linebacker coach and defensive coordinator, he coached many outstanding defensive squads, and Penn State gained a reputation for outstanding linebacker play, producing 10 first-team All-Americans at that position, and acquiring the nickname "Linebacker U". Jack Ham and LaVar Arrington were two of the noted pro football greats to emerge from his teams.[6] Sandusky spurned opportunities for head coaching positions, including one with the University of Maryland in 1991,[7] in the ultimately unfulfilled hope of succeeding Paterno as head coach at Penn State. His final game coaching at Penn State was a notable game for Sandusky. Penn State faced Texas A&M in the 1999 Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. Inspired to honor Sandusky, the defense produced an outstanding effort and the Nittany Lions shut out Texas A&M, 24–0, the only bowl game shutout victory for Penn State under Paterno. Sandusky was recognized in ways usually reserved for a head coach. He was doused with a water bucket and carried to the center of the field on the shoulders of his players.[8] The Second Mile After retirement, Sandusky hosted many summer football camps and was active in The Second Mile, a children's charity he founded in State College, Pennsylvania in 1977.[9] President George H. W. Bush praised the group as a "shining example" of charity work in a 1990 letter,[10] one of that president's much-promoted "Thousand points of light" encouragements to volunteer community organizations.[6] Citing Sandusky's work with The Second Mile charity to provide care for foster children, then U.S. Senator Rick Santorum honored Sandusky with a “Congressional Angels in Adoption” award in 2002.[11] Ex-Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil, current Eagles head coach Andy Reid, R.R.M. Carpenter, III, former Eagles owner, Matt Millen from ESPN, actor Mark Wahlberg, Arnold Palmer, and football players Ham and Franco Harris, among others, served on the Honorary Board of Second Mile.[12] Publications Sandusky co-wrote an autobiography titled Touched: The Jerry Sandusky Story (ISBN 9781582612706), which was published in 2001.[13] His co-writer was Keith "Kip" Richeal. The book also includes a quote in a forward[14] from Coach Vermeil about Sandusky: "He could very well be the Will Rogers of the coaching profession."[15] In the book, which was still on sale at the Penn State bookstore according to a November 12 report in a Harrisburg paper, "Sandusky paints a picture of himself as someone who would consistently take risks in pursuit of what he often refers to as 'mischief'". Other citations and quotes which look "different in light of the horrendous allegations" include: "[Y]ou could mess up a free lunch", Sandusky quoted his own father as telling him "I thrived on testing the limits of others and I enjoyed taking chances in danger" telling of demonstrating his throat-hold on a Second Mile boy who'd come to Sandusky complaining of a "foster father [who] 'grabbed me around the back of my shoulders and ... made me do something when I didn't want to do it'" "repeatedly described Sandusky hugging boys and talking about being very close to boys" "I enjoyed pretending as a kid, and I love doing the same as an adult with these kids."[16] Other books by Sandusky include: Developing linebackers the Penn State way, Leisure Press, 1981. ISBN 9780918438645 with Cedric X. Bryant. Coaching linebackers, Coaches Choice Books, 1995. ISBN 9781571670595 with Cedric X. Bryant. 101 linebacker drills, Coaches Choice Books, 1997. ISBN 9781571670878 Sexual assault charges Main article: Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal On November 4, 2011, a grand jury[17] which had been convened in September, 2009, or earlier,[6] indicted Sandusky on 40 counts of sex crimes against young boys. The indictment came after a three-year investigation that explored allegations of Sandusky having inappropriate contact with a 15-year-old boy over the course of four years, beginning when the boy was ten years old. The boy's parents reported the incident to police in 2009.[18] A grand jury identified eight boys that had been singled out for sexual advances or sexual assaults by Sandusky, taking place from 1994 through 2009.[19] At least 20 of the incidents allegedly took place while Sandusky was still employed at Penn State.[20] Attorney Joseph Amendola represented Sandusky.[6] On November 5, 2011, Sandusky was arrested and charged with seven counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse; eight counts of corruption of minors, eight counts of endangering the welfare of a child, seven counts of indecent assault; and other offenses.[21] Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and senior vice president for finance and business Gary Schultz (who oversaw the Penn State police department) were charged with perjury and failure to report suspected child abuse by Sandusky.[22][23] According to the indictment, in 2002 assistant coach Mike McQueary, then a Penn State graduate assistant,[24] said he walked in on Sandusky sexually assaulting a ten-year-old boy. The next day, McQueary reported the incident to Paterno, who informed Curley. Ultimately, it is alleged, the only action Curley and Schultz took was to order Sandusky not to bring any children from Second Mile to the football building, an action that was approved by school president Graham Spanier.[citation needed] The indictment accused Curley and Schultz not only of failing to tell the police, but also of falsely telling the grand jury that McQueary never informed them of the alleged sexual activity.[25] Sandusky is currently free on $100,000 bail pending trial. He could face life in prison if convicted of the charges.[26] Inside Edition reports that Sandusky's home is very close to an elementary school.[27] On November 6, 2011, Penn State banned Sandusky from campus.[28] Penn State has been the subject of significant media criticism for allegations that several members of its staff, ranging from the University President down to a graduate assistant, covered up Sandusky's alleged assaults.[29] Maureen Dowd wrote of the scandal, "Like the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy, the Penn State hierarchy appears to have covered up pedophile crimes to protect its brand."[29] On November 14, 2011, he admitted to having showered with underage boys and touching their bodies in a non-sexual manner; he also denied being a pedophile.[30] Family Sandusky is married. He and his wife have six adopted children.[31] The Sanduskys also took in foster children,[5] and their house is next to an elementary school and playground.[32] One son, Jon Sandusky, serves as Director of Player Personnel for the Cleveland Browns.[33][34] Another son, E.J. Sandusky, is an assistant football coach at West Chester University.[35]