At nearly the same time Joe Paterno's statue was being removed from outside Beaver Stadium, we learned that the NCAA is preparing to drop the hammer on Penn State University.
A source tells CBS News that the NCAA's penalties, aimed at both the school and its football program, will be "unprecedented," with an official announcement coming Monday morning.
NCAA to hold press conference on #PennState Mon at 9 a.m. ET. Live coverage from @InsidetheNCAA & web stream link avail tmrw.
— NCAA (@NCAA) July 22, 2012
The NCAA doesn't usually work this fast, as even last year's Miami case has yet to meet its NCAA resolution, but it would appear the school has taken a deal, perhaps in order to get it over with.
NCAA president Mark Emmert will make the official announcement, which is the result of former FBI Director Louis Freeh's independent report on the child sex abuse scandal and Penn State's response to questions the NCAA posed to the school about institutional control and ethics surrounding the scandal.
For more on Nittany Lions football, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire, SB Nation Pittsburgh and SB Nation Philly.