A Harrisburg-area psychologist said he is not surprised at Penn State University alumni’s continual focus on legendary football coach Joe Paterno, who was fired Nov. 9 amid a child sex abuse scandal, instead of the victims of that abuse.

“Joe Paterno was entitled to due process,” said Dr. Thomas Peck of Hummelstown, a psychologist who also teaches psychology at Harrisburg Area Community College. “The alumni don’t think he had due process. They think he wasn’t treated fairly.”

Paterno was fired with no notice or hearing after Jerry Sandusky, former football assistant coach, was charged with sexually abusing several boys over 15 years, some in the Penn State football locker room.

Peck said the alumni and fans don’t know the alleged victims personally, don’t know their names and “don’t relate to someone called Victim No. 6.” He said they have proven their concern for the victims by raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to help victims of sexual abuse.

Yet, he said, they don’t relate as well to them as they do to Paterno.

“They do know Joe Paterno,” Peck said. “He was their godfather. They respect him. Firing him was a slap in the face to them.”

Peck said many people find it unbelievable that even after being fired by Penn State, Paterno and his wife have donated $100,000 to the university.

“That says something about his character,” Peck said. “Penn State is Joe Paterno’s life and loyalty.”