4 years later in Happy Valley

I love this time of year between the first days of school and Thanksgiving.

Early November in State College, PA is the epitome of fall in the mid-Atlantic. The hills surrounding town are sometimes still spotted with colorful foliage, the cider is fresh pressed, the air is crisp and cold and the University is still educating students from all over the world and hosting football games at Beaver Stadium.  

Football in Happy Valley has never died, despite the hits the program and it's people took four years ago this week.  Our tailgates are still fun, the stands are still packed with devoted fans and the halftime show is still entertaining.  The town rocks from Friday through Sundays on home football weekends.  The lines at the restaurants still snake down the blocks and sidewalks. The locals find ways to skirt the crowds to get their groceries and drive their children to activities or enjoy the area. We can watch the game in the comfort of our own homes and yell as loud as we want at what we see on the screen; be it good or bad. Some of us can get play by plays from friends on Facebook. I especially enjoy Ajja reports (Ajja is a friend's dad who once taught at PSU and at 88 is a proud, avid, and involved fan).  In State College, even if you don't have season tickets, you can still be part of the fun.

But the rest, well, the rest still hangs over head.

Even though things seem to have improved, I can tell you, this lovely town and it's people are still reminded of the scandal all the time.  Every color commentator somehow interjects something about it on game days.  Today it came up when a friend returned from her high school reunion where she was questioned  about J. S. (I won't print his name).  Last week J.S. was in court, yet again, looking to appeal.  Others implicated have yet to see the inside of a courtroom, even after all this time. Many people who lost jobs because of their association to the team at the time lost their jobs and are still trying to make a life. Some fans are adamant that the Coach's statue be returned to it's spot. And the victims, well, they will never be able to move totally away from it.  So it lingers.  The mess, the accusations, the he said she said rumors, the movies and books, the never ending discussions, the radio hosts and the world never have let it go. Maybe they never will and maybe they never should.

In the meantime I am reminded that time moves on.  The young students who have chosen this university are not even up on the facts or the players of the case, as I was reminded in a comical way as I sat waiting for a play to start 2 weeks ago. The young lady beside me was telling her friend that the statue of the coach is definitely not here on campus because her boyfriend has looked all over for it and he works in the football building (wow)! Her focus is not on scandal. Our newest President assures us that, in time, the right people will be recognized for their accomplishments. We have another coach, new players and loyal fans and players who have stuck it out amid this whirlwind. We as a community have instituted and learned more about child sexual abuse and the abusers among us than, I would argue, almost any town in the US.  The millions have been paid, the regulations met.  It is a good place to live and a safe place (#1 in the state according to the 2015 rankings from Niche).

It has been four long years. Nevertheless, after those four long years the only thing we really need are the answers to the questions we still have.  In the meantime we will love our Happy Valley life.