The Penn State University community was shaken after former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was arrested on multiple charges of sexual abuse of young boys on Nov. 5, 2011. The scandal prompted the firing of legendary football coach Joe Paterno and the resignation of university president Graham Spanier. Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and senior vice president for finance and business Gary Schultz were charged with perjury.
These photographs document the emotional and chaotic eight days that followed Sandusky's arrest.
The captains of the Penn State football team link arms in solidarity as they walk the squad onto the field of Beaver Stadium instead of running onto the field as usual. From left to right are Derek Moye (6), Quinn Barham (67), Devon Still (71) and Drew Astorino (28). The change in entrance on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011 was in response to the removal of head coach Joe Paterno by the school's Board of Trustees three days earlier during the first week of the child sex abuse scandal that began with the arrest of former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. / Photo by Andy Colwell
Pennsylvania State Police and the Attorney General's Office officials take former Penn State football defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky to his arraignment hearing in the office of District Justice Leslie A. Dutchcot in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011. / Photo by Andy Colwell
A somber crowd gahters outside Penn State’s Old Main administration building on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 during a student-organized candlelight vigil against child sexual abuse during the ongoing investigation of former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. University officials estimate the event drew as many as 10,000 people.
/ Photo by Andy Colwell
Former Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno speaks to students and media gathered outside his home in State College, Pa. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011. Paterno announced earlier in the day that he would step down as coach at the end of the 2011 season. The Penn State Board of Trustees would vote the following night to fire Paterno, effective immediately. The board also accepted the resignation of Penn State President Graham Spanier. / Photo by Andy Colwell
Thousands gather outside Penn State’s Old Main administration building on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 during a student-organized candlelight vigil against child sexual abuse during the ongoing investigation of former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. / Photo by Andy Colwell
Penn State students gather for a vigil at the statue of football coach Joe Paterno outside Beaver Stadium minutes after the Penn State Board of Trustees announced on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011 that Paterno would no longer be Penn State’s coach, effective immediately. / Photo by Andy Colwell
State College resident Emily Wilkins, with her one-year-old daughter, Edie, holds a sign expressing her opinion as State College artist Michael Pilato, far right, paints over a portrait of Jerry Sandusky on the mural, "Inspirations," in downtown State College on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. / Photo by Andy Colwell
Members of the Penn State Board of Trustees gather as board vice chair John Surma issues a statement accepting the resignation of Penn State President Graham Spanier and announcing the termination of legendary head football coach Joe Paterno Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, in State College, Pa. / Photo by Andy Colwell
Penn State students take to the streets of downtown State College on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011 in response to head football coach Joe Paterno's announcement earlier in the day that he would step down as coach at the end of the 2011 season. The following night the Penn State Board of Trustees voted to fire Paterno, effective immediately. / Photo by Andy Colwell
Law enforcement personnel stand watch on Beaver Avenue in State College, Pa., as protestors take to the streets Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011 following the announcement by the Penn State Board of Trustees that football coach Paterno had been fired. / Photo by Andy Colwell
Thousands of students and fans fill the streets of downtown State College after learning that Joe Paterno would no longer be Penn State's football coach. / Photo by Andy Colwell
Penn State students celebrate the flipping of a television van on College Avenue in downtown State College minutes after the Penn State Board of Trustees announced Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011 that Paterno would no longer be coach, effective immediately. / Photo by Andy Colwell
A man hangs from a light post in downtown State College minutes after the Penn State Board of Trustees announced Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011 that Joe Paterno would no longer be coach. / Photo by Andy Colwell
Former Penn State football defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky sits in a vehicle outside the office of District Justice Leslie A. Dutchcot after his arraignment Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 on multiple child sex abuse charges stemming from a grand jury investigation. / Photo by Andy Colwell
Penn State football players Shane McGregor, left, and Miles Dieffenbach, pray in the middle of the field after Penn State lost to Nebraska Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011. It was their first game after legendary football coach Joe Paterno was fired in the wake of the child sex abuse allegations against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky. / Photo by Andy Colwell