Former Penn State football defensive coordinator Gerald "Jerry" Sandusky is placed in a police car in Bellefonte, Pa. to be taken to the office of a Centre County Magisterial District judge, Nov. 5, 2011. (AP)
TAMPA, FLORIDA-- Shawn Miller grew up 30 miles from Penn State's campus and is a lifelong Nittany Lion supporter. But the organizer of Brandon-area watch parties, one of at least three alumni/fan groups in the Tampa Bay area, never expected to see the team square off with a scandal like the one it currently faces.
"It's hard to take some of the comments and it's just hard to fathom that it happened," Miller said.
Longtime defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky is accused by Pennsylvania authorities of sexually abusing eight young boys over a 15-year period. A graduate assistant allegedly witnessed Sandusky rape one victim in the team's shower. But what stuns Miller is no one in the athletic department ever told police, even though the incident allegedly happened in 2002.
"It's incredible. I mean, it seems like it was handled incorrectly from the bottom the whole way up," he said.
Two university administrators bonded out of jail on Monday on charges of not informing police. Both have stepped down from their positions.
Miller is among the fans questioning whether legendary Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno, one of the biggest icons in the history of college sports, should be forced out for telling his athletic director, but not the cops.
"That's a tough one to answer. It really is. I'm on the fence on that. I love him to death," he explained.
Marilyn Bray from the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay isn't as shocked by the scandal. She points out oftentimes cases of sexual abuse can involve a coach, priest, or anyone in a high-profile position of authority.
"Perpetrators with power, they have all the seeds sort of planted in place to keep that victim silent," Bray said.
She says 1 in 6 boys are molested in their lifetime, but less than 10 percent ever tell their story. Bray hopes this case will help improve that. "The more comfortable survivors will feel to come out, disclose, and receive services," she told 10 News.
Sandusky and the two school administrators maintain their innocence.
Paterno doesn't face any criminal charges, but many fans want to hear more about what he knew, when he knew it, and why he didn't tell police. His regular, weekly news conference is expected on Tuesday.