David Goodwin Still Solid On Penn State Hockey Program

David Goodwin helped bring a state high school hockey championship to in 2010, and starting in the fall of 2013, he's excited about being part of a program competitng for a college crown.

Earlier this year he committed to play for Penn State, which is making the leap to Division I in 2013.

Goodwin said in email interview with Patch Monday that it has been tough hearing the news coming out of the school, which has seen its legendary football program rocked by the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal, but that he remainds committed to the school.

Earlier this month, the NCAA announced heavy sanctions on the football program, including a $60 million dollar fine. Penn State President Rodney Erickson told CBS's Face The Nation Sunday that the school would likely dip into reserves and loan the athletic department money to fund the payments, which will sponsor sexual abuse awareness efforts.

After the sanctions were handed down, Goodwin said he was assured by Penn State Hockey Head Coach Guy Gadowsky that the sanctions would be limited "in finances and support," to the football program.

Along the lines of support, Goodwin said he was also assured that the hockey program's chief benefactor, Terry Pegula, owner of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and a Penn State alum, was still on board.

Pegula pledged $80 million to build an arena now under construction and to fund scholarships.

In a statement posted on the program's website, Gadowsky said, "After speaking with Mr. Pegula, I can assure you that he -- with me and our entire staff -- is totally committed to building our varsity hockey program and supporting our student-athletes as we prepare to compete in Division I and the Big Ten."

Goodwin will continue to play in the United States Hockey league for the Sioux City Musketeers starting in September.

"Pennsylvania is a much bigger hockey state than many people know, especially St. Louis people. When I was on my official visit, I could feel the excitement that was on campus whenever talk came up about the new hockey program," he wrote.

"It is going to be a huge deal for the university when the program gets going. I am very excited to be apart of that. "