With balloons in the air, an eruption of “We Are” chants and unified singing, Penn State students peacefully rallied on campus and downtown to celebrate the 112 college football wins that were restored Friday afternoon — making Joe Paterno the winningest coach in major college football history once again.
The rally — much smaller than the one that took place in September when Penn State’s bowl eligibility was restored — started Friday at 9 p.m. at the steps of Old Main and later moved downtown where students danced to Zombie Nation, belted out Sweet Caroline and chanted Paterno’s name.
“When the rallies happen it is a display of the school spirit and family idea,” Caitlin Kushnir, a freshman majoring in secondary education, said. “Coming together for the 409 wins and Joe Paterno connects the alumni with current students and brings it all together.”
The Penn State Board of Trustees unanimously approved a settlement proposed by the NCAA on Friday afternoon, restoring the victories that were lost during the Jerry Sandusky scandal.
The settlement repeals the consent decree made in 2012 between the NCAA and Penn State. Through the agreement, the university will pay $60 million toward funding activities and programs for the prevention of child sexual abuse and the treatment of victims of child sexual abuse throughout Pennsylvania.
Penn State will also acknowledge the NCAA’s legitimate and good faith interest and concern regarding its handling of the Jerry Sandusky matter and will enter into a new Athletics Integrity Agreement that includes best practices with which the university is committed to comply.
While some of the Penn State community applauded when the Board approved the settlement in person at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel, many students expressed their support for the decision on campus and via social media throughout the day.
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