Improper Bennies at THE Ohio State

[viking611]

Everyone heard the several former players come out and say that many players received money for "jobs," the new Clarett thing, improper benefits, academic help, etc. Andy Geiger tried kidding himself by calling Clarett a liar and all he did was deny, deny, deny that there could be wrongdoing going on there, Tressel included. He didn't seem to comment too much on the other former players. One who I respect very very much in Robert Smith. You telling me that he is a liar too?? Highly doubt it. Now they suspend starting QB for taking money and announce that they will sanction this business guy for this. Pretty much Geiger is admitting wrong doings here. And this isn't the first time for Tressel. He built a powerhouse at Youngstown in IAA and had a star player receiving money and cars there that is known about. My questions are: How long before Tressel and Geiger are "HE GONE" and how much is going to be uncovered over the next season or more by the NCAA. I think Columbus has a rough road ahead of them. Wouldn't mind seeing other peoples thoughts on the issue.

 

[FairWarning]

I think Tressel and the AD will not survive this, nor should they. Nice job of placing THE in front of Ohio St in this instance. Will be interesting to see how long the NCAA takes on this one.

 

[viking611]

They did look good last night though. Blowout.

 

[viking611]

Does nobody else have an opinion on this. The news today is that Geiger may be "retiring." Oh how convenient. This program is going to be a mess by the time all this is done. This team won a National Title for crying out loud. An unjust one is the way it's starting to look too!

 

[hotsalsa]

Excerpt from a president's board meeting re: Bowl profits and general athletic policies:

Fact #1
Let's see. We, Ohio State got $1.55 million last night in a minor bowl. Our expenses included a $30 Buckeye sweatshirt for each athlete and a few meals ( to provide enough nutrition for an all out effort). The student athlete gets an approximate $600-$700 per month (rent, food,etc.) + paper $$ classes/education. This amount is Much More than they deserve or need.

Fact#2
Remember our Mission: To keep the collegiate athletic system PURE. We the college presidents, will legislate and enforce our system through our self appointed Sargeant at Arms (The NCAA). They can be the bad guy, while we remain removed in approval. If their performance is unacceptable in meeting our goals, we will appoint one of our own to direct the organization.

Fact #3
We, the presidents will control all money. We do this in the name of higher academic standards and to maintain the integrity of the system, of course. The appearance, that we sell our souls to TV networks, Bowl committees, March Madness Tourney Brackets, apparel sales, endorsement contracts, will be overshadowed with great media coverage and more alumni donations to university funds. We must insure that (although inspired by our athletes) none ever reaches the hands of the student athletes!

Fact#4
In addition we will allow zero benefits to the employees. (Student athletes) They will, however; be allowed to function at the poverty line, as long as they remain academically eligible. We obviously expect them to outperform the rest of the student body re: grade point averages, community service, social behavior, and graduation rates.

Fact#5
The employees will mostly abide by this system rules because we will penalize their future eligibilty, if they don't. Consider the seriousness of one of our workers asking for or expecting a raise. We will never consider overtime rates in our system of renumeration. We do need them badly, but must make an example of their unacceptable behavior on occasion. These punitive measures should never be allowed to effect our bottomline. (the pocket book) Make sure we solicit endowments and donations from these very same employees. Yes, the ones who actually overcome our support system and make it to any professional level.

Fact #6
In addition, these disciplinary measures will also serve notice to our alums, boosters and fans that we are all about "Doing the right thing" in the name of integrity. We will be able to maintain our slave labor practices
because 1.) we are a monopoly and 2.) Since we are Ph.D's, and above reproach, it allow us to look down on the general public and deceive them about our real motives.


.

 

[gobucks]

You are right Salsa. Basically it is a professional sports league without the hassle of having to pay those exorbitant player salaries. Ohio State is in the news due to the ongoing Clarrett saga, but the problem is the system as you descibe in your post. The problem exists at all major programs.:nono5:

 

[MrTeaser]

Much like the Colorado scandel over the Summer, this stuff goes on at most major schools. Ohio St was just caught is all.

 

[bookieblaster2]

It's like the college presidents have a hard on for atheletes. They are on a mission to make sure that no student athelete receives any money what so ever unless it comes from their parents.

It's like they are part of some religious cult who pretends to be squicky clean and makes it of the utmost importance that the atheletes stay poor so that they have to stay in college and make the cult money.

It is in fact a business where they don't have to pay their employees 1 cent to work for them. They put them in classes and that costs them nothing. Adding 1 extra person in a classroom doesn't add 1 dime to the teachers pay.

These colleges are using these kids to make mega dollars and are allowed to keep them from accepting money. It doesn't matter where the money comes from either. Where in America does it say a kid shouldn't be allowed to accept money if someone wants to give it to them?

F**K religious cults and the same to these college presidents who run their sports programs like cults.

 

[hotsalsa]

The president's party line, via NCAA Legislation, is to on keep athletes on equal ground with the rest of the student body. No preferential treatment allowed for these people. The athlete has not had the same rights as John Doe, history major. The reverse has been true for many years. Just in the past few years were scholarship athletes allowed to work part time jobs during the so-called "off-season". While regular students can work or not, athletes were restricted until recently. As it stands now, there is a cap of $2000 on how much they can earn. Furthermore they can only work in the off-season. When they would find time to work a job is beyond common sense with the D-1 time requirement.
In reality there is no off-season. Football will resume right after bowl games with weight training, spring ball, and mandatory unofficial summer workouts. Basketball has the same issues with an off-season cap of 8 hours weekly committment on skill development, weight training etc.. Unofficial pick up games required in most places daily. Some time restrictions are in place, but everyone is well aware of who's there and who's not.
Bottom line is these athletes SHOULD to be treated differently, then the average Joe on campus. They do special things and the hours of required dedication is considerable. And yes, the breaking of NCAA rules is rampant and widespread. The rules are unrealistic and outdated in many cases. Most of these rules were established when athletic departments ran in the red for the university. They were just an adjunct service of the school to attract students. Many major sports, in D-1 athletic departments, now pay many of the bills for these institutions. Again the athletes do the work and receive minimum return on their individual investment. They will never pay the athlete a fair stipend for services until there is major upheaval from some group, that understands the true issues and is passionate about changing an archaic system.