It was exactly what I hoped for and imagined since I was child attending Nittany Lion football games with my father and extended family. An annual Penn State game was a family tradition. However, the moment I had been waiting for as long as I could remember was diminished by the shadow of the Jerry Sandusky controversy.

After congratulations, the expression on everyone’s face said something else. Their words were insincere. Their faces said, "this is no achievement worth celebrating." While people were right to be outraged over the alleged crimes of Jerry Sandusky, the news footage should have focused on "how could any human being" do something so horrible instead of how could a "Penn State Coach" have done something so horrible.

Penn State's reputation for dedication and strong moral values that took half a century to construct was obliterated within days. The media seemed to celebrate its downfall. Integrity, hard work and achievement were words always associated with Joe Paterno and Penn State. Tragically, now Joe Pa's name will forever be linked with Jerry Sandusky.

Some were so ruthless in their criticism that they suggested that the football program, itself, should be tarnished by the Sandusky scandal. Players who did nothing wrong and worked their whole lives for the honor of wearing the Nittany Lion uniform should suffer? The football players who were known to be as good off the field as they were on the field helped made the Penn State campus "Happy Valley." Now, the media and maybe even the public at large are wondering if Penn State can still be a happy place.

As this scandal fades and another takes its place somewhere else in our imperfect world, I hope the media and public remember Penn State University's reputation for excellence. To me, Penn State has always been a hopeful place where you go to realize your dreams. I refuse to let one man lessen the achievements of so many wonderful members of the Penn State family, and I am honored to join those who helped make it such a happy place.