I feel like I’m going to be sick.

That is how I felt two weeks ago when ESPN reported that Syracuse basketball assistant coach Bernie Fine was accused of molesting two boys dozens of years ago, and the Syracuse police department was investigating the possibility of child sex abuse.

This news came right on the heels of arguably the biggest scandal in the history of college athletics. We watched the news unfold, hour by hour, minute by minute, on live television as the Pennsylvania State University, the largest institution in the state and one of the biggest and well-respected in the nation, crumbled in the wake child sex abuse charges levied against former football coach Jerry Sandusky. Now, just days later, another sex abuse scandal was about to rock Syracuse University and its powerhouse basketball program?

I felt like I was going to be sick.

The similarities seem startling, right? Two renowned college sports programs, about to suffer the same fate because of two respected coaches being accused of unthinkable crimes.

Wrong.

For as much as these cases seem to be twins, they couldn’t be further from that.

In full disclosure, for those of you who don’t know me, I am a proud graduate of Syracuse University. I bleed Orange, as they say in central New York. I also feel I can bring a unique perspective to this story, based on the fact I covered the Penn State scandal three weeks ago, and am very close with colleagues and peers of mine who are doing the same in Syracuse as you read this.

If you think the Bernie Fine/Syracuse scandal is Penn State/Jerry Sandusky 2.0, it’s not.

At least not yet.

Here are three words to consider: Grand Jury Investigation.

Jerry Sandusky was arrested and charged with 40 counts related to the alleged sexual assault of eight boys.

Bernie Fine hasn’t even been charged with a crime yet.

Don’t get me wrong; the evidence against Fine is damning. Three men have accused him of molestation when they were younger. The most vocal of the three, Bobby Davis, now 39 years old, taped a phone conversation with Fine’s wife, Laurie, in 2002 which implies she knew of the abuse and did nothing.

Also in 2002, Davis reported to ESPN and the Syracuse Post-Standard he was abused by Fine. Both media outlets decided not to run the story due to a lack of evidence, even though Davis gave each outlet a copy of the Laurie Fine phone taping. In 2005, Syracuse University investigated Davis’ claim, but none of the four people Davis said could corroborate his story could do just that.

The accuser, Bobby Davis, admits he did not supply the taped phone conversation to the university in 2005.

Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim, albeit brash, arrogant, stubborn, and based off his comments two weeks ago calling the accusers “liars”, quite stupid as well, insists he knew nothing of his friend of 50-plus years engaging in any child molestation.

There is nothing today which indicates Syracuse University prevented any truth from coming out, failed to alert authorities, or never investigated claims. The grand jury presentment does allege PSU administrators knew of Jerry Sandusky’s alleged actions.

Jerry Sandusky was allowed to remain around the program until a month ago. That is thirteen years since the first allegation of sexual assault took place in 1998. Bernie Fine was fired from Syracuse University, effective immediately; 10 days after local police opened an investigation.

Is Syracuse the next Penn State? No. Or at least, not yet. 

Given how these stories though seem to develop with new information daily, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if cover-ups did occur. If word comes that high-ranking leaders at SU covered up these heinous acts, then get out. I don’t want you ever again associated with my school.

However, the only comparisons as we sit here today that Syracuse and Penn State share, is that both of these cases are beyond messed up. But that’s where the similarities stop. I caution you – to lump them both in the same category would be naïve and irresponsible.

That’s today.

Tomorrow, we may be having a different conversation.