Julie Hermann, athletic director at Rutgers University, has issued a public apology for some "classes" actions from the school's football fan base.
According to ESPN, fans at the Scarlet Knights' home game against the Nittany Lions, Rutgers' first football game as a member of the Big Ten conference, openly made fun of Penn State for the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal.
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The Rutgers Scarlet Knights' official Facebook page posted a photo with a fan brandishing his t-shirt, which read "Beat Ped State," Onward State reported. The photo was since removed, but several similar photos popped up on other social media forums.
"On behalf of Rutgers University and the Athletic Department, we would like to apologize for the regrettable actions of a handful of Rutgers fans on Saturday that do not convey the message of good, competitive spirit that we look forward to having with our new Big Ten rival Penn State University," Hermann wrote in a statement. "Some of the signage and t-shirts that we have been made aware of were both inappropriate and offensive."
The NCAA recently announced that they would significantly reduce the sanctions against the Penn State football team. Effective immediately, Penn State will be eligible for postseason play and will have all 85 scholarships restored next season. The decision came after George Mitchell, who was assigned to track the school's progress, returned glowing reviews.
"The two inappropriate pictures that appeared briefly on our Facebook page as part of a 200-picture montage were immediately removed when we were alerted to their content," Hermann wrote. "It is unfortunate that the actions of a few spoiled an otherwise historic and recording-setting night that Rutgers fans provided for our first Big Ten football game."
Penn State went into the half down 10-0, but came back to beat Rutgers by scoring 13 in the second half, including a touchdown within the final two minutes, and shutting out their opponent's offense.
