And now, Syracuse....
Just a week ago, I was writing a pissed off tumblr post about the Penn State situation. And now, today another school with another potential child abuse case on its hands. This one is in the early stages of the police investigation (according to the OTL link above), but OHEMGEE!
My initial thought when I heard the tweets was sadness, followed by a bit of hope that at least victims seemed to begin to feel empowered enough after the Penn State/Sandusky grand jury report to speak up.
And then I read the early reports.
This guy wasn’t influenced to come forward after Penn State. This guy didn’t feel bolstered by the fact that catching these guys is more important than athletics. This was initially reported to the Syracuse police department in 2003. 2003, people! And in 2003 the police chief - a former ‘Cuse player - said it was past the statute of limitations and the issue was basically dropped. Then Syracuse itself conducted its own independent investigation in 2005 where they found no wrongdoing. [Syracuse’s statement regarding the initial investigation]
And now, in 2011 the police are picking it back up because of a second alleged victim??
I am beside myself. Completely frustrated that this seems to be part of a pattern, rather than one atrocious and appalling case of a coach abusing his power at Penn State and with a charitable organization to exploit and victimize boys. Along with frustration comes curiosity as to what that initial Syracuse report found. As the coach in question is still employed, I most certainly hope that the school’s investigation was thorough and complete and accurate in its finding of no wrongdoing. If this is another coverup, I am disgusted. Again.
I’m just not sure at all what I would prefer to happen with this case - but if this new investigation shows that this molestation did indeed occur, then I’m fuming mad that the police and school didn’t do something about this earlier.
And also wondering right about now how many other schools have dropped things and brushed them under the rug, or independently investigated things but continue to go about their business as usual. And now I wait for the next shoe to drop in the next prominent athletic department with a corrupt coach or administration, and hope like crazy that it doesn’t happen at a school I love.
I’m a huge sports gal, but seriously. What the hell is going on around here that human beings apparently have less value than athletics?
