The NCAA has slapped Penn State with a $60 million fine and other unprecidented sanctions. NCAA President Mark Emmert announced the penalties this morning during a press conference in Indianapolis. Emmert also announced Penn State will be banned from bowl games and other postseason play for the next four years. In addition, the university will lose 10 scholarships for the next four years, bringing the number of Penn State's football scholarships to 15. The NCAA also stripped Penn State of all of its victories from 1998 to 2011. That particular penalty removes Joe Paterno from the top of college football's all-time coaching wins list and reinstates former Grambling head coach Eddie Robinson as the NCAA's winningest football coach.
These penalties are the result of the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal and an independent investigation that accused some Penn State officials of covering up Sandusky's actions. Sandusky, the former Penn State defensive coordinator, was convicted last month of molesting several young boys during his time at the school. Emmert said during the press conference that Penn State perpetuated a "football first" culture that must be changed. However, the NCAA stopped short of imposing the so-called death penalty and shutting down the Penn State football program entirely. Emmert attributed that decision to a desire of not wanting to hurt anyone not involved in the Sandusky scandal. The NCAA will allow Penn State football players the option to transfer to other schools and being play immediately or remain at Penn State and retain their current scholarships.