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Montreal Alouettes new president Ray Lalonde speaks to the media at a news conference on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, in Montreal. Lalonde, who was formerly vice-president of marketing for the Montreal Canadiens, has an extensive background in sports management and replaces Larry Smith, who left the team in November to enter politics.Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press

Ray Lalonde looks back with appreciation on his experience working with Joe Paterno in the Penn State University football team, and he is shocked and saddened by reports about child sexual assault allegations surrounding the program.

Lalonde, the Montreal Alouettes president and chief executive officer, worked as a graduate assistant to the team at Penn State between 1987 and 1989 while he was getting a masters degree in sports administration.

"I consider Penn State to be a big part of who I am," Lalonde said. "All the lessons I learned and the experiences I had in three years there have shaped my career academically and professional.

"I'm just really saddened and troubled by what I'm reading. This is the sort of thing that you don't ever realize can be happening. Not even years after you've left."

Lalonde was not there at the same time as Mike McQueary, the then-graduate assistant who, according to grand jury testimony, witnessed former defensive co-ordinator Jerry Sandusky sexually assaulting a young boy in the football building in 2002. Lalonde did work under Sandusky and athletic director Tim Curley, who is being charged with failing to report the incident.

Lalonde said he still loves Penn State and Paterno, who was fired late Wednesday night after a meeting by the school's board of trustees. Lalonde says he not actually spoken to Paterno in many years.

"He's been there for 62 years, there are not too many people in life who do anything for 62 years," Lalonde said. "Most everyone who has been part of that program has developed a level of pride and honour at being part of Penn State, and being part of what Joe Paterno has done. Look, it's still pretty early in this story. I don't want to presume anything right now, at some point Joe is going to talk about this."

Lalonde said he does not think this will become the thing for which Paterno is remembered.

"But this is perhaps the biggest sports scandal anywhere, we are talking about children here and heinous crimes, and from what I'm reading apparently not enough was done [to stop it]"

"The second story here is about a monument. Penn State football is a monument, and this is a coach that's been revered for a long time for building a program the right way, and I don't think this is going to completely change that. But it's hugely troubling. These cases obviously can surface when and where you expect it the least. These are totally despicable crimes."

He said his memories of the football program and the campus remain positive.

"I really only have positive things to say about Penn State, the football program and living in State College," Lalonde said. "Probably 95 per cent of the people you talk to will feel the same way. [Paterno]gave me an opportunity to join his staff and to learn and develop, it was one of the greatest times in my life."

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