HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata College football players claim alleged child molester Jerry Sandusky, who helped coach the program's football program despite being denied an official coaching job, routinely parked next to the college's child education center while waiting for football practice to start.
"He would sit out in front of the child development center and we would wonder, 'Why is he sitting right there (in his car)?'" said one player during an interview with CBS 21 News Sports Director Jason Bristol.
The player spoke to CBS 21 News on condition of anonymity. CBS 21 News has concealed his identity, as well as another player's, and drastically changed the tone of both of their voices.
Juniata College's football offices are located in South Hall, the building next to the school's Early Children's Education Center (ECEC), which hosts preschool and early intervention programs, according to the college's website.
College spokesman John Wall said Monday he was unaware of any claims that Sandusky used to park next to the children's center and added the school never received any complaints about Sandusky being in that area.
The school's public safety office also voluntarily alerted state investigators on November 9 about Sandusky's presence on campus; but state police felt there was no need to further investigate at that time, Wall said.
Both players, however, thought it was odd that Sandusky would park near the building, while waiting for the school's players to take the field for practice. "I don't know what (Sandusky) was doing in the car, but he had his spot right outside ECEC, and Lord knows what he was doing in that car," said the other player.
The players' stories of Sandusky waiting outside the ECEC were also verified by another, independent Juniata College football player who was not previously aware of their claims.
The two players interviewed also recall seeing Sandusky once holding the hand of a young boy. "I'm thinking that (at the time) it might be his grandson or another Second Mile kid; I'm not sure," said player two. "When I think about it, it was very strange because (Sandusky) wasn't on the practice field the first day he showed up."
They don't remember seeing that child again.
Coming off a 1-9 season, players one and two were pleasantly surprised to find Sandusky helping the team during the 2010 season.
"In my mind I thought it was completely fine; I thought Juniata knew he was here, they had to know," said player one.
"That's what I thought, they had to know," added player two. "He was here every game. He was in the football offices; working on packages; going to coaches' meetings and the coaches were listening to him."
But Sandusky shouldn't have been associating with the team. His volunteer coaching application was rejected because a background check revealed he was being investigated at a Clinton County High School.Wall said that Juniata College senior leadership also gave then-head coach Carmen Felus "three distinct orders" that Sandusky was not to be associated with the program. He added those officials were not fully aware of Sandusky's involvement in the program until the following semester.
Wall said that the school followed proper protocol and the "breakdown" in communication falls on Felus.
CBS 21 News has repeatedly tried to contact Felus, who is now the co-offensive coordinator at UT Martin in Martin, Tennessee. The station's latest attempt was made on Tuesday afternoon.
He told The Associated Press on Tuesday the school reviewed its communication problems and has taken steps to ensure open lines of communication between coaches and administrators.
Some video used in this story is courtesy of YouTube/Juniata College.
