Nike's Chief Executive Mark Parker said in a statement that Nike has
decided to change the name of the Joe Paterno Child Development Center, a
child care facility at the company's headquarters outside Portland.
The move comes after an investigation led by Louis Freeh on the child sex abuse scandal
at Penn State found that Paterno and other top school officials
disregarded the welfare of Jerry Sandusky's victims in failing to
report abuse allegations against the longtime assistant coach.
Mark Parker, president & CEO, Nike, Inc., said in a statement, “I have been deeply saddened by the news coming out of this
investigation at Penn State. It is a terrible tragedy that children were
unprotected from such abhorrent crimes. With the findings released
today, I have decided to change the name of our child care center at our
World Headquarters. My thoughts are with the victims and the Penn State
community.”
Phil Knight, co-founder and chairman of the board, Nike, Inc., added in
the same statement, “Other than my parents, my college coach, Bill
Bowerman, was the biggest
influence in my life. Bill Bowerman and Joe Paterno shared some great
qualities. Throughout Joe Paterno’s career, he strived to put young
athletes in a position to succeed and win in sport but most importantly
in life. Joe influenced thousands of young men to become better leaders,
fathers and husbands.
According to the investigation, it appears Joe made missteps that led to
heartbreaking consequences. I missed that Joe missed it, and I am
extremely saddened on this day. My love for Joe and his family remains.”
Knight had defended Paterno at the coach's memorial service.
Nike has not released a new name for the Joe Paterno Child Development
Center, which opened in the early 1990s and was remodeled in 2008.
