'Blue Out' Game At Penn State For Abuse Victims

08/03/12 03:10 PM ET Associated Press

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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State has designated the Sept. 22 game against Temple as its second annual "Blue Out" game to show solidarity with victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

Fans are being encouraged to wear blue, while donations will be collected around Beaver Stadium for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. Students are organizing Blue Out activities.

The first such event occurred during the Nov. 12 game against Nebraska, a week after retired defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky was arrested on child sexual abuse charges.

Sandusky is awaiting sentencing after being found guilty in June at his criminal trial. The NCAA has since imposed severe sanctions on Penn State for the scandal.

Student organizer Stuart Shapiro says the Blue Out is one way for the university community "to work together to cultivate change."

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vonric

903 Fans

08:38 AM on 08/06/2012

while the intention is, no doubt, entirely sincere, I also think it is a bit disingenuous... what does this really do other than create a transient "feelgood" movement for the participants? YEAH! we are Penn State and We Support Victims!

it doesn't work like that. this action is not a solution, marginally a consciousness raiser and nothing more than a bit of a superficial statement. Somehow, in the depths of an academic community, there has to be a more serious effort afoot.... or is there?

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BloodyBuddyBoyd

336 Fans

07:13 AM on 08/08/2012

I agree. This is nothing more than an effusive effort to grant validation on the participants who are continuing the program while salving the collective conscience of the fans and students who refuse to face and admit the ugliness this program truly is beneath the surface.

A university that was truly serious about addressing this horrific set of events would be leading with an announcement of an endowment, directly from the athletic budget, to build new facilities for and to staff a new Child Abuse and Intervention Studies Research and Education Center. Offering undergraduate and advanced graduate degrees in all allied areas of the defense of children from psychology/psychiatry to criminal justice to new original areas of study geared toward early detection, better screening for childcare providers/custodians/fosters and prevention of these horrible crimes.

Not another f#W#ing football game.

Marzapan

Cucumberously Cool

98 Fans

11:44 AM on 08/08/2012

Hence the $60m

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Laura March

5 Fans

12:18 PM on 08/08/2012

As co-organizer and founder of this event (and Penn State graduate student), I believe symbolism is extremely powerful. The Blue Out is a completely student-run event and provides an occasion meant to foster engagement, compassion, and integrity. For more background information on the Blue Out and how it ties into the Freeh report, read my post from last month: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laura-march/penn-state-blue-out_b_1669355.html

05:34 AM on 08/06/2012

Yes, I remember last year's Blue Out game. The obstinate Paterno cadre deniers showed up wearing white.

This program needs to be shut down. The football culture on this campus is beyond out of control.

Bruce Forbes

Marx was right.

347 Fans

09:25 PM on 08/05/2012

I would bet that if you took a poll, a large % of the people who will participate in this think Joe Paterno did nothing wrong.
It's good they're doing this, but it won't wipe away the shame.

Debi Boggs

28 Fans

08:29 PM on 08/05/2012

This is almost insulting. Penn State should be barred from football for at least 10 years. This just solidifies the fact that the school is filled with a bunch of heartless morons.