Penn State Athletic Director Calls Helmet Stickers "Inappropriate and Insensitive"

On Friday evening, in the aftermath of the NCAA decision to reinstate 409 vacate wins to Joe Paterno's record, once again making him the winningest college football coach, the Penn State hockey team wore a '409' sticker on their helmets.

If that decision feels in poor taste given the circumstances in which those wins were earned, and subsequently taken away, you're not alone in that feeling.

Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour tweeted that the stickers were "Inappropriate and insensitive".

After Friday's hockey game, Penn State hockey coach Guy Gadowsky described the decision to wear the stickers:

"We received some good news," Gadowsky said. "Something that the students were excited about. It was a way to join them in something that they felt was positive. It was a one-time thing."

He was then asked if there was any hesitation.

"It was a group decision," he said. "And certainly there are things to talk about."

Barbour later backtracked on her comments a bit--after multiple reminders from the Penn State community that the wins were more important than anything, so at least they've learned their lesson--to say "Thrilled that those victories earned by former PSU athletes and coaches are now again recognized".

Meanwhile, Alaska-Fairbanks' wins taken away over a minor clerical error are still vacated.