The silence is deafening at Penn State University.
Given the opportunity to shine a light on Penn State’s darkest day — gutless Penn State officials turned the lights out on the national media.
Months after Ohio State’s football program spun out of control, it is Penn State’s turn to steal the spotlight on what is wrong with big-time college athletics.  
Welcome to Happy Valley, where they welcome alleged child predators. They not only welcome alleged child predators at Penn State, they provide keys, open access to young children and a parking pass upon “retirement.”
“Retirement,” apparently opened up a whole new world for former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky. No less than nine young men have bravely come forward to accuse Sandusky of sexual crimes when they were young boys.
A grand jury report of factual findings illustrated case-after-case where Sandusky used a “Second Mile” charity geared to help young children as a vehicle for his own perverted behavior.
The report indicates that Sandusky preyed on youngsters who grew up in one-parent and dysfunctional families. They were vulnerable victims because they didn’t always know that type of conduct was wrong.
Sandusky allegedly assaulted these youngsters at his home or on Penn State’s campus. According to the report, he earned the youngsters’ trust by providing them with expensive trips to college and professional events valued at thousands of dollars. They received cash, computers and gifts. Sandusky allegedly took advantage of the youngsters’ vulnerability.
The grand jury report indicates a consistent pattern of illicit behavior. Sandusky’s perverted conduct apparently extended to local high schools. A local high school banned Sandusky from having contact with students after a mother filed a complaint. The wrestling coach and principal at that high school knew something was wrong.
The national media was gathered to hear Joe Paterno’s explanation of a sordid mess of allegations against a colleague and a former Penn State coach Tuesday.
Some unidentified Penn State official canceled Paterno’s chance to talk publicly.
It couldn’t have been the athletic director — he’s under grand jury charges for perjury and failure to report a crime to child protective services.
It couldn’t have been Penn State’s vice president of finance and business — he’s under grand jury charges for perjury and failure to report a crime to child protective services.
It might have been Penn State’s president — last we knew he hasn’t been charged with anything other than poor judgment. He’s the guy who threw his support behind two employees accused of lying to a grand jury. He’s also been fired.
But it didn’t really matter because Paterno has nothing to say. He’s stayed silent for nine years. What’s another couple of days.
The athletic director knew all about Sandusky’s conduct. So did the finance and business director. Penn State’s president knew. So did Paterno. They all heard an eyewitness account of Sandusky’s illicit behavior in 2002 from a Penn State graduate assistant football coach. They had heard of allegations against Sandusky dating back to 1998.
They all share blame, especially the graduate assistant coach, who ran away from his responsibility as a human being.
They all knew. That’s why none of them are talking publicly. They have nothing to say.
They all should have been swept out the door yesterday. When they had a chance, they didn’t do the right thing and help a young child. There is no way of knowing how many other victims there have been since 2002.
It’s unfortunate that Paterno’s legacy will be tied to this scandal forever. But at least Paterno was rightfully fired Wednesday night. The assistant coach who didn’t help a young child in 2002 should also not be allowed to coach and represent Penn State Saturday against Nebraska.
It’s a shame the coaches do not understand that by coaching Saturday, they will become the story — not the players fighting for a Big 10 championship.
Please turn out the lights. The party is over at Penn State.