NCPA President Ramogi Huma to NCAA President: "As you consider a just punishment for the Penn State football program, the NCPA asks that you do not inflict injustice upon innocent Penn State football players."
7/17/2012
Dear Mr. Emmert,
I am contacting you in regards to the tragic chain of events that have unfolded at Penn State University as highlighted by Jerry Sandusky’s conviction for 45 counts of sexual assault on children and the Freeh Commission’s report citing an apparent cover-up by Penn State officials. The college sports community and the general public have been rightfully sickened by what has occurred. I agree with your assertion that this is much bigger than a football scandal. Abuse of this magnitude is unprecedented and has no place anywhere in society, much less in intercollegiate athletics.
The National College Players Association (NCPA) does not object to any actions that the NCAA may take against Penn State. However, the NCPA wants to ensure that current Penn State football players and incoming freshmen be allowed to transfer to other schools without punishment. While Penn State coaches and administrators have been implicated in heinous activities, Penn State football players have done nothing wrong. Under NCAA rules, football players that transfer cannot fully participate in athletics for one year. In addition, they cannot communicate with other schools or receive an athletic scholarship for one year unless Penn State grants them a release.
The actions of Penn State officials have already tarnished the experience of Penn State football players. Penn State officials should not be given the power to hold players’ financial aid and athletic opportunities hostage and, under these circumstances, the NCAA should waive its one-year residency requirement for Penn State football players that wish to transfer. You stated yesterday that you will not “take anything off the table” in terms of possible punishments, which includes consideration of the “death penalty”. As you consider a just punishment for the Penn State football program, the NCPA asks that you do not inflict injustice upon innocent Penn State football players. Thank you for considering this request.
Sincerely,
Ramogi Huma