Hey guys;

I came across this article today, and I am sure that Ohio State fans are going to cringe when they read this. Allegedly, Coach Tressel had numerous violations while coaching at Youngstown State. The violations were not discovered until jury testimony in a trial involving one of Youngstown State's Administrators. Because the violations occurred outside the 4-year NCAA statue of limitations, Youngstown State slapped itself on the wrist and went on.

Now, Claurett has been accused of accepting inappropriate amounts of cash as gifts, and the article goes on to suggest that Tressel may have known, and just didn't look because he did not want to know. I will let you read the article for yourself, and make the conclusions. I will say this, if the stories are true, it really changes the impression that I had of Coach Tressel.

http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/...l/story/6629731

Exfballplayer
David

[ September 11, 2003, 03:29 PM: Message edited by: exfballplayer ]

Isn't it great being Number One ?

People will try anything to bring you down !

I agree--if the stories are true then yeah, it changes my opinion of the guy

I would hate for them to be true

I've always thought that Tressel and the coaching staff should have been paying more attention to Clarett and his behavior because, after all, he was supposed to be one of Ohio State's greatest players in a long, long time, and so much was at stake. But I still believe the ultimate responsibility rests with Clarett. How could he be so stupid? Also, I read the article in the link at the top about a similar experience that Tressel had with a player at Youngstown State. Personally, I'm not concerend about Tressel. But in the article, there is a poll that asks "Is Tressel running a dirty football program at Ohio State?" And the response as of 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 11 was 52% No and 48% Yes. LOL !! If 48% actually believe Ohio State is running a dirty program, then OSUFAN was right -- when you're number 1, everyone tries to bring you down.

Hey guys:

Well, honestly I am an independent observer looking in. I have not been a Ohio State supporter, but I am not someone who hates Ohio State either. But, this one quotation keeps coming back to me with I read about this continuing scandal, "Perception is EVERYTHING!!!" I am not here to past judgement on the program. I cannot say for sure, or deny that Ohio State's program is or is not dirty. But I can say this; with the continuing new allegations being made, there has to be something to it somewhere. The old addage, "Where there is smoke, there is fire," really applies here. People cannot go to the NCAA making allegations withough something to support them. And now, Tressel's reputation is directly being questioned, and this is the first time that I know of that actually being the issue. One of the comments made was that Claurett is ULTIMATELY responsible, and that is SOOOO TRUE. But, as a Head Coach, Tressel is responsible for ALLLLLL actions involving the program, good and bad. Hell, Arkansas Head Coach Houston Nutt came into a program that later had allegations made about improper conduct that took place before Houston Nutt was even at Arkansas, and Nutt was held responsible for it. Both Claurett and Tressle are responsible for what is happening. The best way I can put it to you is this, Tressel is the parent for all 80+ players and personnel attached to the Ohio State program. That is part of the job as Head Coach. Now I have had tremendous respect for Coach Tressel, and I hate to see what was looking to be a powerhouse football program brought down to mediocrity again. But that is part of the consequences one pays when people break rules.

I can understand that Ohio State fans feel they are being unfairly targeted, but the only people that Ohio State fans can blame is their school's administration and football program for allowing this to happen. As a fan, Ohio State supporters have to admit that things do NOT look good for their Univsersity right now. Buckeye faithful are going to have to accept the fact that some people are going to be looking at the football program, and they are going to beleive the worse until things are cleared by the NCAA. It is not fun, it may not even be fair, but it is the way it is, and no one is going to be able to change that. As an Arkansas fan, I had to swallow immense pride in my school, and honestly look at the allegations. When I talked about the program, I admitted that it appeared that the University and former coaching personnel had made serious mistakes. I did not say if they were true or not, but I had to admit that the scenarios being reported were very possibly true. Since then, the allegations were substantiated, and the University took serious action to punish itself. The NCAA took the honesty of the University, and the spirit in which the University punished itself into consideration when considering punishment. Those factors caused the NCAA to place Arkansas on 3 years probation; a punishment that could have been FARRRRRR worse. Simply saying that "I did not know it was going on" does NOT cut it in today's world. Ohio State fans may not like this, and I dont blame them. But, OSU fans have to seriously take a look at the program, and look at all the facts as they are disclosed, before they begin saying off-hand that Ohio State is just being targeted. Nothing has been disclosed to support such a claim, and I bet that there never will be.

David

I agree with you David. Tressel is responsible for looking after his players. The reason I felt OSU is being targeted is not because there are allegations of wrongdoing flying all over the place, but because of the poll results that I cited indicating that 48% of respondents said that Tressel is running a dirty program. I just think that number is all of a sudden a wee bit high considering Ohio State's past compliance with NCAA rules.

I don't think he's running a dirty program but I'm just wondering if he knows what kind of program he's running at all.

It looks like the NCAA isn't the only one out for the Coach:

Stalking the Big Game

LOL !! As if Tressel doesn't have enough to contend with -- now he's got some psycho woman stalking him and claiming to be his wife !! Tell me, gmginsfo, is that article for real? He's not a bad looking guy, actually. A little on the conservative side with those sweater vests, though.

Hey Guys:

LOL Man that article is something huh? As if this guy doesn't have enough to worry about. I am surprised he is not in the hospital suffering from heart papultations after today's game. Man I had to idea this game was going to be such a nail biter!!! Look for my overall comments under "This Weeks Games" heading in the college football section.

Guys, the only thing I can say about the poll results is that you really cannot put much stock in them. My God, just look at how poll results have swung all over the place concerning Iraq. One day, 40% of the American public feel that Bush is doing a terrible job, and then 2 days later, polls come out with Bush enjoying a 75% job approval rating. Poll results all depend on what people hear in the news, and right now they are hearing all about the problems at Ohio State, so of course they are going to say that Ohio State is running dirty programs. What you have to worry about is the LONG TERM stigma that may be attached to the program, like SO MANY SEC insiders look at Tennessee with. Tennessee has not faced NCAA sanctions over the latest investigations and allegations, but you talk to die-hard SEC fans and they will all tell you that Tennessee is perceived as being VERY dirty. THAT is the stigma that you do NOT want Ohio State to have. Short term opinions will dissapear as the media circus moves away from the story. Hell, if you live in Texas right now, 80% of the sports population is calling for QB Chance Mock's head after losing to Arkansas!! (Yeah, I LOVE IT!!! I am in HOG Heaven!!!!) LOL

So, Buckeye fans, keep your heads up, with any kind of luck, the media frenzy over this will quiet down, and y'all can get back to focusing on what matters; Trying to win another championship.

David
Exfballplayer