Days after Rutgers University Athletic Director Julie Hermann apologized for football fans that made "regrettable" jokes about Penn State's child molestation scandal, it has come forward that she has an "off-the-cuff" remark to regret.
According to the N.J. Advanced Media, Hermann remarked at a staff meeting last fall that she mentioned "reaching out and touching [Rutgers'] donors." She followed that up with her punch line, saying not to do so "in a [Jerry] Sandusky way."
Several meeting attendees - people within the Rutgers athletic department - spoke with the N.J. AM on the condition of anonymity so they would not face any professional consequences.
Pete McDonough, senior vice president for external affairs, told the Associated Press Friday that Hermann had no ill will behind her "impromptu" comment.
"Julie's comment was an off the cuff response to a give-and-take interaction urging the fundraising team to reach out and touch the donors," he said. "There probably isn't a person alive today who hasn't made an impromptu remark in a private meeting that probably shouldn't have been said. Even taken out of context, this single comment was not directed at Penn State, its students, staff or faculty."
Rutgers played its first Big Ten matchup as a member of the conference last Saturday, hosing Penn State. Some fans wore t-shirts making fun of the Penn State child molestation scandal, since-deleted photos of which made their way onto the Rutgers football official Facebook page.
Hermann publicly apologized on behalf of these "classless" fans and said she personally apologized to Sandy Barbour, Penn State's athletic director, ESPN previously reported.
Penn State may always be reminded of the scandal from time to time, but the administration has done what it can to move on. All of the football staff under the late coach Joe Paterno has been replaced and the school has also found a permanent president and athletic director.
The NCAA recently recognized Penn State's efforts by declaring the Nittany Lions immediately eligible for postseason play.
