Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline' Removed From Penn State University Football Game Playlist

Posted on Aug 28th 2012 11:59AM by Jason MacNeil
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Gabe Palacio, Getty

The horror stories of the sexual abuse scandal at Penn State University continue to have indirect effects on people, including singer Neil Diamond.

According to ESPN, the university will not use Diamond's signature hit "Sweet Caroline" during any of its home football games. And although university officials denied it, the removal may have something to do with the lyrics "touching me, touching you," hitting a bit too close to home in light of the scandal which resulted in former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky being convicted on 45 counts of child sex-abuse.

"Absolutely no song changes were made based on lyrics," university spokesman David La Torre said, adding the song has appeared on the list in recent years for removal due to the fact several other sports teams -- most notably the Boston Red Sox -- routinely use the song at their home games and the song "has no real origination here at Penn State."

When asked if any other song on their list would be removed, La Torre said he couldn't name another. Meanwhile Greg Myford, the university's associate athletic director for business relations and communications, said some "updating" would occur for game days "including to our playlist."

Needless to say the university's actions left many shaking their heads, including New York Daily News reporter Dick Weiss. "What next, close down The Waffle Shop, a pregame hot spot, because Sandusky once ate there?" he wrote in his column posted late Monday evening.

Diamond has made no comment. He has two dates remaining on his current North American tour with a show tomorrow night in Phoenix before concluding the trek in Las Vegas on Sept. 1. Diamond re-released a special 40th anniversary edition of his 1972 album Hot August Night last month.

Watch Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" Video