Five scholarships will be restored next year and 15 more will be phased in until the school reaches the limit of 85 in the 2016-17, a season earlier than the school had agreed to, college sports’ governing body said. The NCAA said the unanimous decision by its executive committee was based on the recommendation of former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, who has been serving as Penn State’s athletics integrity monitor.
“This action provides an opportunity to recognize Penn State’s significant momentum, while also providing additional opportunities for student-athletes,” said Wake Forest University president Nathan Hatch, chair of the NCAA’s Division I board of directors, which endorsed the decision.
The penalties came amid heavy criticism of university leaders’ response to complaints about Sandusky. Penn State and the NCAA agreed to the penalties by entering into a consent decree more than a year ago, shortly after Sandusky was convicted of 45 counts of sexual abuse. They also require the school to pay a $60 million fine and serve a four-year ban on postseason play. The NCAA also eliminated 112 wins by the football program.
Penn State president Rodney Erickson called the restoration of scholarships particularly welcome news for student-athletes who want to attend Penn State.
“As we promised throughout this process, we are committed to improving all our policies, procedures and actions,” Erickson said.
The NCAA said it also may reduce the postseason play ban, depending on the university’s future progress. Mitchell said it was premature to say which other sanctions might be changed.
