Penn State President Cancels News Conference
Penn State president Graham Spanier canceled head football coach Joe Paterno's weekly news conference over calls that both men should resign due to former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky's sex abuse scandal.
Another potential victim of Sandusky's has come forward, ultimately leading to the cancellation of Tuesday's news conference. This was going to be the first chance for journalists to question Paterno on how much he knew about Sandusky, who has been charged of sexually abusing eight boys over a 15-year period.
Assistant Athletic Director Jeff Nelson released a statement, saying: "Due to the ongoing legal circumstances centered around the recent allegations and charges, we have determined that today's press conference cannot be held and will not be rescheduled."
A high-ranking Penn State official has said that support for Paterno has decreased among the school's Board of Trustees. It remains unclear whether Paterno will be asked to step down, but a decision is expected before the board meets Friday.
However, Paterno's son has spoken to reporters, saying his father has no intention of leaving his position and will be coaching Saturday's game against Nebraska. Authorities have said that Paterno, who testified in the proceedings that led to Sandusky's charges, is not a target of the investigation. But the State Police Commissioner has been on Paterno's case about not doing enough to stop him.
Paterno's son reported that his father had been disappointed about the conference's cancellation, saying he was prepared to take on questions about the Scandal and Penn's upcoming game.
The most recent victim of Sandusky's abuse came forward on Sunday after seeing the scandal in the media. The alleged victim is in his 20s now and had never told his parents about the incident. The Patriot News of Harrisburg first broke the news and even published a front page editorial calling for Paterno and President Spanier to resign.
There is increasing suspicion that Paterno knew of Sandusky's abusive encounters, though the Pensylvania State Police Commissioner said Monday that Paterno followed the law when he reported having seen Sandusky with a young boy in the team's locker room shower in 2002.
Commissionar Noonan, however, also questioned whether Paterno could have done more.
"Somebody has to question about what I would consider the moral requirements for a human being that knows of sexual things that are taking place with a child.... I think you have a moral responsibility to call us," Noonan said.
Sandusky was on campus as recently as a few weeks ago. Sandusky long-maintained an office in the East Area Locker Building, across the street from the school's main football building.
The school's online directory lists him as an "Assistant Professor Emeritus of Physical Education in the Lasch Building." During his investigation it was found that he was given this office, a parking pass and more as part of his 1999 retirement package.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Watch Paterno address students outside of his home Tuesday:
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