State College, Pa. --  Joe Paterno's family says it plans to appeal the sanctions imposed by the NCAA against Penn State for the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal.

Family lawyer Wick Sollers in a letter sent Friday to the NCAA said they would like to appeal the "enormous damage" to Penn State, the community, athletes and the late Hall of Fame coach. He died in January.

An NCAA spokeswoman did not immediately return a call seeking comment on whether the sports governing body would consider such an appeal.

The landmark NCAA penalties handed down last month included a four-bowl ban, scholarship cuts and 111 vacated wins, meaning Paterno no longer has the most coaching victories in major college football.

The family says the NCAA acted hastily and without regard for due process.