NCAA to restore Penn State football scholarships

9/24/2013

HARRISBURG, Pa.  — The NCAA says it will gradually restore football scholarships taken from Penn State over the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal, saying the school has made significant changes to its athletics programs.

College sports’ governing body said today that five scholarships will be restored next year and more will be phased in until the school reaches normal totals in 2016-17.

The NCAA says the decision was made based on the recommendation of former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, who’s been serving as Penn State’s athletics integrity monitor.

Penn State and the NCAA agreed to the penalties a year ago, shortly after Sandusky was convicted of 45 counts of sexual abuse.

Penn State is also paying a $60 million fine and serving a five-year ban on postseason play.