Penn State to Start Regaining Scholarships - East Idaho News
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Penn State to Start Regaining Scholarships

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Getty S 11112 Penn%20State%20Logo?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1380082259905Justin K.Aller/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Things are slowly beginning to return to normal at Penn State.

The NCAA announced Tuesday that it will reduce the sanctions against the Nittany Lions by gradually restoring scholarships beginning next season.

These sanctions came down in the wake of child sex abuse scandal involving former coach Jerry Sandusky.  Penn State had faced a maximum of 65 scholarships starting in 2014, but instead will have 75 scholarships in 2014, 80 in 2015 and the full allotment of 85 in 2016.

Other sanctions against the school included vacating the team’s wins from 1998 to 2011, a $60 million fine, and a postseason ban spanning from 2012 to 2015.

“The executive committee’s decision to restore football scholarship opportunities for more student-athletes at Penn State is an important recognition of the university’s progress — and one I know it was pleased to make,” NCAA president Mark Emmert said.

Head football coach Bill O’Brien was able to sign no more than 15 recruits for four years starting in 2012.  He will now be able to sign 20 in 2014-15 and 25 the year as a result of the reduction.

“Obviously we’re able to sign some more guys and have a roster of 75 scholarship players next year,” he said. “So things will change, and we’ll see how things go.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

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