The conference cited “progress toward ensuring its athletics department functions with integrity” for the reinstatement.
The move essentially ends the program sanctions resulting from the Jerry Sandusky child abuse scandal that broke in 2011.
“Penn State has made remarkable progress over the past year,” said Harris Pastides, board member and University of South Carolina president, in an NCAA press release. “The board members and I believe the executive committee’s decision is the right one. It allows both the university and the association to continue to move toward a common goal of ensuring that educating, nurturing and protecting young people is a top priority.”
The NCAA Executive Committee is responsible for lifting the school’s postseason ban and reinstating the scholarships in the 2015-16 season.
The move endorses recommendations released Monday by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, who wrote a 58-page report arguing to end the sanctions.
“In light of Penn State’s responsiveness to its obligations and the many improvements it has instituted, I believe these student athletes should have the opportunity to play in the postseason should they earn in on the field this year,” Mitchell wrote in his report.
The $60 million fine, vacation of all 111 wins from 1998 to 2011, the Athletics Integrity Agreement and the five-year probation levied by the NCAA will remain in effect.
Also in effect will be the official censure, five-year probation and monetary fine equal to Penn State’s Big Ten bowl revenue share during the imposed probationary period imposed by the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors, the Big Ten conference announced.
“We support the NCAA announcement acting on that recommendation, thank Senator Mitchell for his dedicated service and appreciate Penn State’s ongoing commitment to improvement,” COPC Chair and Iowa President Sally Mason said in a conference press release.
Penn State went 15-9 during the first two seasons of the sanctions with former Head Coach Bill O’Brien, who replaced the late Joe Paterno, who was fired after Sandusky was charged with multiple counts of child sexual abuse.
O’Brien left Penn State for a job with the Houston Texans last season. James Franklin was hired from Vanderbilt to take his place.
The Nittany Lions are 2-0 this season and will play IU Nov. 8 at ?Memorial Stadium.
