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Effective imme- diately, the Nit- tany Lions can once again qualify for a bowl game and they have been granted a full com- plement of 85 scholarships with which to compete in 2015. The Big Ten followed suit, ruling that Penn State is eligible for the 2014 Big Ten championship. In another twist to a saga that dates back to the NCAA's initial announcement in July 2012 following the Freeh report, the sanctions that most immediately im- pact the program have been dialed back completely. As Penn State head coach James Franklin framed it in a prepared statement, the news has been widely ac- cepted as a positive within the program. "We are very appreciative of the oppor- tunities the NCAA and Big Ten have pro- vided with today's announcement," Franklin said. "This team plays for each other. We play for Penn State, our families, the former players, our students, alumni, fans and the community. We are so proud to represent Penn State and the Big Ten Conference." The Big Ten also commended Penn State's efforts. Commisioner Jim Delany had been working in concert with the NCAA and was waiting to take action with Penn State's postseason status until the NCAA made the first move. "Following our briefing with Senator Mitchell, the [Council of Presidents and Chancellors] reached consensus agreement to support his latest recommendation and also agreed to restore the school's eligibility for the Big Ten Football Championship Game, which ran concurrently with the NCAA postseason bowl ban," said COPC Chair and Iowa President Sally Mason. "We support the NCAA announcement acting on that recom- mendation, thank Sen- ator Mitchell for his dedicated service and appreciate Penn State's ongoing commitment to improvement." Penn State, however, is still not completely free of its monetary penalties. Its fine from the conference, which is equal to PSU's share of Big Ten bowl rev- enue, remains intact. Those funds will be donated toward child abuse preven- tion. Other sanctions continuing to affect the program include the $60 million fine levied by the NCAA and the vacation of the pro- gram's 111 wins dating back to 1998. The fight for the restoration of those victories continue with much of the battle spear- headed by the family of Joe Paterno, not the university. New Penn State president Eric Barron said Penn State will aim to continue build- ing on the improvements made within the university community over the past two years, and everyone involved is to "be commended for their resiliency and spirit during a challenging time." When Mitchell released his 58-page re- port Sept. 8 – only minutes before the NCAA publicly announced the reduced sanctions – he deemed that Penn State had continued its full compliance with the 2012 consent decree. In the report, it was stated that Penn State had implemented an improved human re- sources system that fosters "an ethical cul- ture." Additionally, the university had worked to improve security at all sporting facilities. The only demerits against the football team since Mitchell began his investigation had been just minor infractions. "In light of Penn State's responsiveness to its obligations and the many improve- ments it has instituted, I believe these student-athletes should have the oppor- tunity to play in the postseason, should they earn it on the field this year," Mitchell wrote. Mitchell also suggested that his five- year role as Penn State's athletics integrity monitor could end early as a result of the progress the university has made. "Senator Mitchell's report and recom- mendations, along with the actions taken by the NCAA, are a recognition of the hard work of many over the past two years to make Penn State a stronger institution," said Barron. "We also are grateful for the dedication and commitment to success on and off the field of our football student-athletes, and the leadership of Coach James Franklin and Coach Bill O'Brien before him." In order to continue building on the success on and off the football field, Franklin wanted not to dwell on the an- nouncement. It was good news for his team, no doubt. But, as Mitchell pointed out, even though Penn State is allowed by the NCAA to play in a bowl game, it still must win enough games to qualify. LETTING LOOSE James Franklin celebrates his first win as Penn State head coach in Dublin Aug. 30. Nine days after the victory, the NCAA announced that it was once again reducing the sanctions it levied against the program in July 2012. Photo by Steve Manuel

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