Dive summary:

• State Farm has been a sponsor of in-stadium and radio sponsor of Penn State since the early 90s.
• Spokeswoman Arlene Lester said, "It's not an image issue ... we're just doing what's right," she said. "We don't want to be a supporter of something that's not right in a community. We're about helping communities succeed and prosper."

Editor's note: I couldn't write this story without saying my piece, so don't read on if your only interest in reading this story is marketing.  I grew up in State College, PA and attended Penn State. I have been profoundly saddened by the actions of Jerry Sandusky and the inability of the power structure to expose him. They failed, and are having their reputations, lives, and legacies ruined for it. The kids who were abused deserved a better response, and my heart goes out to them.

I am also frustrated by the media's response, and the fury with which everyone is so quick to rush to judgment.  I can't count the number of media outlets and television "reporters" that have created their own truths about what the Freeh report says, the people involved, and the university.  It seems as though each article needs a more fantastic headline, each columnist a more fantastic claim, regardless of the truth.  It certainly would be nice if everyone involved in this were a monster, because it would be easier to swallow.  But the harder truth to face is that Spanier, Paterno, and the others involved were normal folks just like you and me.

Regarding the NCAA's decision - I love college football but the their rhetoric is glaringly hypocritical.  Penn State's football graduation rate is consistently in the Top 10, yet NCAA President Mark Emmert railed about the evils of a "football culture" ruling non-football decisions.  I think if you look at any number of programs, from Alabama to Nebraska to Florida, you'll see that football rules the town.  Penn State's love for football is no different than any other big program, yet it is being portrayed as such.  And instead of the NCAA's decision resulting in a focus on the victims or academics, everyone is back to talking about football.  Last night, Penn State players did not want to leave their apartments because coaches from other powerhouse schools were stalking them in the parking lot.  When college coaches are hiding out in parking lots to convince players to leave a top academic university that graduates it's football players, is Penn State's "football problem" really bigger that it's competition?

Now that the hysteria has ended, it is time to think deeply about what we can learn from this scandal, and how we can protect more kids from suffering the indignity of sexual abuse.

(Thank you for putting up with my post...If anyone wants to reach out to me to discuss the topic or tell me to only write about marketing, you can email me at [email protected])