The NCAA, in levying strict sanctions over the Sandusky scandal, slammed Penn State for a "football-first culture" that was caused by a failure of institutional integrity. Those statements continue to draw the ire of some alumni and fans who were irritated that university leadership didn't challenge the assertions.

"That's what a lot of people, myself included, and certainly the faculty senate and many members of the Penn State community, have reacted to, is the painting of Penn State with a very, very broad brush in a sense that there's one culture here that dominates everything," Erickson said.

Neither the marquee football program nor any other aspect of Penn State life dominates overall university culture, Erickson said.

He cited recent NCAA data showing high graduation rates for football players and other Penn State teams. The rates, Erickson said, are an example of Penn State's dedication to academic and athletic success, and "evidence of a culture of athletics that is one that we can and should take great pride in, and we will continue to believe in that principle -- that academics and athletics can work together in a very, very positive way."