Blue White Illustrated

before the grand jury presentment was released in November, Corbett's staff booked multiple hotel rooms in State College for an upcoming board meeting. At the time, Paterno and Spanier were still full-time employees. Since he had become governor, Corbett had missed the first four board meetings. That was not unusual, as governors have never been expected to attend every meeting of the board. However, the story noted that he wanted to make sure he was in State College on Nov. 11, the night of the fifth board meeting. "It was odd for him to be there and participate the way he did," the trustee said. "Very odd." After ESPN's report went public, Corbett's spokesman Kevin Harley issued a statement to PennLive.com, saying, "ESPN's report from the grassy knoll merely adds another chapter to the growing list of conspiracy theories sur- rounding the Sandusky case. It is a disappointment to read something so long, filled with so many errors, that offers so little by way of new or even real fact. The fact remains that Jerry Sandusky is charged with serious crimes of sexually abusing children and that the evidence against him is overwhelming." Edward Junker, an emeritus J O E P A T E R N O ' S S T A T E M E N T On Nov. 8, Joe Paterno's weekly football news conference was can- celed shortly before it was set to begin. Paterno had reportedly planned to read a statement to the assembled media. Until recently, the contents of that statement were unknown. But on April 4, Paterno family spokesman Dan McGinn released the coach's 405-word address. It is presented here in its entirety. Let me begin by offering Sue and my prayers for all of the people impacted by these events. I know it is small comfort given the circum- stances. I also understand that there are a lot of questions regarding the events involving former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, Tim Curley and Gary Schultz. However, because of the status of these ongo- ing legal matters, I will not specu- late or answer questions about the charges or the people involved trustee and retired vice chairman of PNC Bank Corp., told the Altoona Mirror that "there are a lot of misquotes and false conclu- Williamsport standout commits to Lions MEN'S BASKETBALL men's basketball coach Patrick Chambers. Quickly. Penn State has two commitments lined up for the Class of 2012, two more for the Class of 2013, and on April 1, the Nittany Lions added anoth- er verbal commit- ment: 6-foot-4, 175- pound combo guard Isaiah Washington of Williamsport, Pa. 6 The ball is rolling for Penn State "Penn State is just the best fit for me and my family academically with what I want to do with my career and everything like that," Washington said. "The academics just are great. Their graduation percentage for athletes is close to 100 percent, if not 100 percent." A 4.0 student at Williamsport WASHINGTON High School, Washington said that although he is still only a sopho- more, he's taking honors courses, as well as some college classes. Penn State, he said, will give him exactly what he's looking for. "It's a school that I can [attend] and play basketball and not worry about not graduating. Graduating is important to me," he said. "Regardless of how far you get, the basketball is going to stop bounc- ing one day, so you have to have your education regardless. Of course, my goal and my dream is to make it to the NBA one day or play professionally overseas, but you have to have your degree in something. I mean, you really should. It's important." Washington's focus on academ- beyond this brief statement. As the grand jury report notes, I was subpoenaed last January to testify regarding an incident in 2002. As my very brief testimony established, my role was limited to a single report made to me by an assistant coach in 2002. The coach in question came to my house on a Saturday morning and informed me that he witnessed former coach Jerry Sandusky in a shower with a young boy. The coach made it clear that he felt strongly that there was something inappropriate going on and that he was very upset by what he saw. The coach made no specific allegations of any identified sexual act, nor did he use any graphic terms – just the idea that what he saw was wrong and that he did not know what to do next. At that time I told the coach that he had done the right thing and that I would take the appropriate next step. After consideration I determined that, given Sandusky's sions" in the report. "Corbett was just another partici- pant in the conversations," Junker added, "and he participated less status as a retired employee gov- erned by a retirement package negotiated with the administration, I had no authority to act directly. The next day, in accordance with University policy, I contacted the head of my department and related what was told to me. That was the last time the matter was brought to my attention until this investigation and I assumed that the men I referred it to handled the matter appropriately. I know that there are many other questions that people want to ask, but I ask that we all be patient and give the judicial process time to do its deliberate work. Finding the truth is what will benefit the victims most of all, and that is who we should all keep in mind as we deal with this tragedy. In order to give that process ade- quate time I will not be answering any questions on this matter, nor will I have further comment, until the legal process is completed. than most board members. His presence was never intimidating. I don't think he forced ideas on any trustee." ics will be welcome, along with his highly developed knack for scor- ing, facilitating and defending. Starting at Williamsport since his freshman season, Washington helped lead the Millionaires to the second round of the PIAA playoffs this past season. He averaged 12 points per game in the regular sea- son and 15 per game in the play- offs. Said Washington, "Toward the end of the season when the tougher games came along, I could really score, so I just did what my team needed me to do. I do enjoy scoring, but I enjoy winning more than anything else." Though he played the point for most of his freshman and sopho- more seasons, Washington moved to the two-guard spot when an A P R I L 3 0 , 2 0 1 2 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M

• Cover