UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Several Penn State trustees are appealing the NCAA sanctions against the university, which they say are “excessive and unreasonable.” The trustees question Penn State President Rodney Erickson’s authority to accept the sanctions, which were the result of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

Ryan McCombie, a newly elected board member, is leading the effort to request a chance to submit an appeal in writing and argue the case in person before the Infractions Appeals Committee, the Centre Daily Times reports. The trustees claims that the NCAA violated the fundamental procedural due process rights of the Appellants and the university when it relied on the results of the Freeh Report and did not lead an investigation conducted by members of the enforcement staff or outside counsel familiar with the NCAA’s investigative standards, according to letter from attorney Paul V. Kelly to the NCAA.

A letter from McCombie to other board members said that the Freeh report was treated as a legal hearing when it wasn’t, since those spoken with for the report were not under oath. However, according to an NCAA spokesman, the sanctions are not subject to appeal.

This development comes as the university said it will be holding confidential counseling sessions next week for university employees affected by the Jerry Sandusky sandal, the Centre Daily Times reports. Six sessions will be held each day; each can accommodate 200 people.

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