Dear Penn State Nation,

I think everyone feels absolutely horrible about what has transpired in the last few days.  However, I am not here to elaborate on what I feel should happen or who I think should go or any of that.  What I am here to do is to give support to fans of a member of the greatest conference in the nation.

Growing up, I watched Purdue games just as faithfully as I'm sure many of you watch Penn State games.  Even before going to Purdue, I felt a huge connection to the school.  I felt like a million bucks when we came back to beat both Ohio State and Michigan in 2000 and went to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 34 years.  I balled my eyes out during and after The Fumble (vs Wisconsin, 2004.  YouTube it or ask any Purdue fan.).  I spent many Saturdays yelling at anything that remotely made me mad the past 4 years (which really annoys my professors) and have not missed a home game or even left early from a single one since I've been at Purdue.  In short, I bleed black and gold just like many of you bleed blue and white.

With all that has happened, I have to say that I will be rooting especially hard for Penn State.  Many outsiders may interpret this as a sick and disgusting act, but those are the people who have not taken the time to put themselves in the shoes of every Penn State fan.  I've always looked very highly upon Penn State and their fans and probably always will.  To hear what has happened makes me believe that you, the fans, are victimized in this as well.  Obviously not as much as the children were, but you get my point.  Nobody deserves to see their Alma Mater (or their favorite team, or whatever) suffer through the embarrassment that a case like this will cause.  This is exactly why I feel the way I do about the team.  Nobody that's currently on the team asked for this.  However, they are the ones that are likely going to be hurt most by it.  No matter what happens, Joe's attention will be elsewhere at some point when it would normally be devoted to football.  I just hope that the players come together and don't have to get involved with this truly sickening case.

At any rate, I'm sure you're fed up with my rambling by now, but more than anything, I don't look at this as a reflection of Penn State.  I look at this as the reflection of people within the university.  Penn State is still, and will continue to be, a very reputable and respected institution, and I hope that everything gets sorted out in the best way possible.  It goes without saying that I truly hope the best for those victims and their families, and that they are able to get all the help they possibly could need, but I also hope the best for Penn State.  I hope that this scandal I don't even know what to call it, does not permanently tarnish the reputation of such a great university that has been the epitome of honesty and doing things the right way for so long.

Best wishes,

boilerjake