More than a year after Penn State received numerous sanctions from the NCAA and Big 10 due to the Jerry Sandusky child abuse cover-up, the NCAA announced that it will allow Penn State to gradually restore the scholarships lost. Penn State lost a total of 40 scholarships from 2013 to 2017, but will start adding them back in the 2014-2015 academic year.

Exec Committee agrees to gradually restore Penn St football scholarships after school shows positive change: http://t.co/nrfiKaMBl3

— NCAA (@NCAA) September 24, 2013

George Mitchell, the Athletics Integrity Monitor for Penn State, released a statement on the situation. “While there is more work to be done, Penn State has clearly demonstrated its commitment to restoring integrity in its athletics program,” said Mitchell. Penn State will get to add in 5 scholarships next year and will add 5 more scholarships each year until they reach the normal amount.

Restoring Penn State’s scholarships is the only part of the sanctions that is being softened right now. The $60 million in fines that Penn State has to pay is still in effect, as well as the postseason ban that will be in effect for three more years. Many people thought the sanctions were too severe since they punished the current players, who had nothing to do with the scandal. Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said that the news of Penn State’s scholarships being restored is “great” because the penalties were “excessive.”

The current head coach of the football program, Bill O’Brien, is thrilled with the news. “Today’s announcement by the NCAA is tremendous news,” O’Brien said. “As a staff, we are especially pleased for our players, who have proven themselves to be a resilient group of young men who are able to look ahead, focus and overcome adversity.”

The Penn State athletic director, Dan Joyner, said, “We will continue to work hard within the Athletics Integrity Agreement to fully comply and to achieve excellence in everything we do at Penn State.”

While many Penn State fans are pleased with the news, a lot of college football fans and others who followed the Joe Paterno/Jerry Sandusky scandal are angry to hear that the NCAA is lessening the blow. Should Penn State’s scholarships be restored? Respond below.

It is criminal that Penn State is even allowed to still play football. Now they're slowly giving more scholarships back? Absurd..

— Chris Caves (@cavesrebel45) September 25, 2013

The NCAA has decided to give Penn state some scholarships back early for doing absolutely nothing differently! How about that

— Mike Murphy (@smokeythesmurph) September 25, 2013

What did Penn State do to get scholarships back..? What did Carolina get back..? What did USC get back? What did Ohio State get back?

— Ryan Love (@RyanLove21) September 25, 2013

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