In the face of arguably the harshest penalties ever handed to a sports program in NCAA history, Penn State University's football program answered Wednesday morning with a unified vow of commitment.

About 30 Penn State football players say they're staying put despite the sanctions levied by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Senior linebacker Michael Mauti said, "no sanction, no politician" will take away Penn State's accomplishments. Quarterback Matt McGloin said, "I am a Nittany Lion and will remain one."

NCAA President Mark Emmert announced the staggering sanctions Monday, which include a $60 million fine and the loss of all coach Joe Paterno's victories from 1998-2011 in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal. Other sanctions imposed are a four-year ban on bowl games, the loss of 20 scholarships per year over four years, and five years probation.

The Penn State football team, which had gathered to watch the announcement, quickly dispersed after the NCAA news conference.

Penn State Head Football Coach Bill O'Brien said, "An hour after the sanctions were announced, we started to attack it. We have plans that are ongoing, but plans that are already in place -- how we're going to deal with the 65 scholarships, how we're dealing with roster limits they put on us. But at the same time the most important thing for us right now is to keep our 2012 team together," O'Brien said.

O'Brien appeared on ESPN's Mike & Mike radio show, which is also simulcast on TV. He said his reaction to the penalties was "it is what it is" and said it's important to move forward immediately.

It appears that the primary concern may be no concern at all. Despite rumors of player defections, which are allowed under the NCAA sanctions, O'Brien's team held a players-only meeting Wednesday morning then emerged before reporters promising to stick together and "see this thing through." Team leader Michael Zordich said, "We don't see this as punishment. We see this as an opportunity."

Zordich said, "We have an obligation to Penn State and we have the ability to fight for not just the team, not just the program, but an entire university and every man that wore blue and white on the gridiron before us.  We're going to embrace that opportunity and make something very special happen in 2012."

Mauti told reporters, "This program was not built by one man and this program sure as hell's not going to get torn down by one man.  This program was built on every single alumni. Every player before us built on their backs and we're going to take that right now.  This is our opportunity to do that."

Mauti concluded by saying the recent developments are the players' opportunity to create their own legacy.

The players' commitment may have come as encouraging news for some Penn State season ticket holders, who wanted to opt out in the wake of the NCAA sanctions. Wednesday's Altoona Mirror reported that the university announced before the sanctions news conference that it would not refund any 2012 season or regular game tickets already sold. University officials said 85,000 season tickets have been sold for the upcoming season.

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