Jim Tressel (National Champion, ex-President, Youngstown State University, CFB HOF)

[MililaniBuckeye]

A radio talk show host down here in Florida has stated to me that Tressel may retire in 2013. I do not know where he got his source but have nay of you up in Columbus heard anything on these lines.

I'll bet the house he doesn't retire in 2013...

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

Isn't he violating the NCAA guidelines by providing personal benefits to a player? I hope not, but reminds me of the Jim O'Brien incident.

IF this story is true...

THEN if the NCAA takes an issue with it at all, we can officially declare "them" insane and have them committed.

Anyone who would like to make the argument for why this should be pursued, for why this is a crime, feel free. I'm all ears.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Isn't he violating the NCAA guidelines by providing personal benefits to a player? I hope not, but reminds me of the Jim O'Brien incident.

Dude, the kid's freakin' paralyzed...how can the NCAA see this as a "benefit"?

 

[RugbyBuck]

I can definitely say that I'd like to be more Tressel-like on a daily basis.

 

[muffler dragon]

Isn't he violating the NCAA guidelines by providing personal benefits to a player? I hope not, but reminds me of the Jim O'Brien incident.

He was no longer a player as he was paralyzed.

edit: Uhhh... what Mili said.

 

[vioravis]

I am sorry if I have sounded anti-tressel in my post. I do approve his actions but worried this could land him into trouble.

He was no longer a player as he was paralyzed.

He is still listed as a player. Check this link.

Football - Roster - The Ohio State Buckeyes Official Athletics Site - OhioStateBuckeyes.com

Dude, the kid's freakin' paralyzed...how can the NCAA see this as a "benefit"?

However, the following week Gentry goes to the doctor's office for a visit, etc.. comes back home and in his garage is a brand new version of that machine...paid for ($6,000) by Tressel himself with a note that says "you'll never have to wait in line to use it again."

If the addition of the machine is to WHAC, I wouldn't be worried. But since the machine is in the player's house, won't it be considered as a gift, even though he is paralyzed?

 

[RugbyBuck]

Not to be too much of an apologist, but, assuming that the story is even true (and it rings like an urban legend), JT doesn't strike me as unaware of potential consequences or impulsive. I'm sure he either looked at it himself or checked it out with someone in compliance.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

If the addition of the machine is to WHAC, I wouldn't be worried. But since the machine is in the player's house, won't it be considered as a gift, even though he is paralyzed?

He is listed as a player in order to keep him on athletic scholarship, and not so that he can play football. Even the NCAA isn't that fucking stupid...

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

Not to be too much of an apologist, but, assuming that the story is even true (and it rings like an urban legend), JT doesn't strike me as unaware of potential consequences or impulsive. I'm sure he either looked at it himself or checked it out with someone in compliance.

Bingo


Ohio State did not pull Gentry's scholarship, so yes, he is still on the team.

But anyone who would call the an "improper benefit" on MORAL terms is an idiot that can't think independently of what a rule-book tells them.

As Rugby (and I) already suggested, it is entirely possible that this story is not even partially true.

My best guess is that it IS partially true: that Tressel would have loved to buy the machine himself, but knowing that it would be a violation (because the rules are stupid), he had the Athletic Department pay for it. That (and the eventual location of the machine) are the parts of the story that I would question.

Then again, the story may be entirely true. None of us know.

But from what we already knew of Coach T; it certainly sounds like him.

 

[zincfinger]

Isn't he violating the NCAA guidelines by providing personal benefits to a player?

if the NCAA takes an issue with it at all, we can officially declare "them" insane and have them committed.

Anyone who would like to make the argument for why this should be pursued, for why this is a crime, feel free. I'm all ears.

But anyone who would call the an "improper benefit" on MORAL terms is an idiot that can't think independently of what a rule-book tells them....(because the rules are stupid)...

Personally, I think vioravis raises a legitimate question, and if the rules do not explicitly allow for this kind of exception, I think the NCAA would have to take issue with this. Now hear me out...

I'm not saying it is MORALLY wrong to give a gift to a paralyzed player, with no intention of receiving any kind of benefit or competitive advantage. But I also propose that the following is arguably true:

1) A rule which says, in effect, that a coach cannot give money or gifts to his own scholarship players is a good and necessary rule.

2) While one can envision particular circumstances in which almost any generally good rule arguably should not be applied, it is very difficult to write rules in a way that satisfactorily anticipates and accounts for all such hypothetical scenarios.

Given the above, you're left with 3 choices, none of which is perfect. i) The NCAA can write (or re-write) the rule to make allowances for cases like this. Although you have to be aware of the possibility then that someone out there would buy a bunch of stuff for an "injured" player and then have that player spread the wealth with his teammates. ii) Or you can simply apply the "no gifts" rule indiscriminately, disallowing even a perfectly morally acceptable gift like this. iii) Or you can give someone at the NCAA the prerogative to suspend and apply the rules at his or their own discretion. I'm not sure that universal application of the rule isn't the best of those options. And for that, I'd blame not the NCAA or the rules, but the fact that there are always people out there trying to bend or break the rules for competitive advantage.

 

[ajbyrnes80]

I went to a different university, but never strayed from the buckeyes. I've been a fan since I knew what TV was. Coach Tressel has got to be one of THE BEST coaches to ever be at OSU.
Great Job this season coach, Let beat LSU now to make it even sweeter!!!

 

[methomps]

Considering the NCAA strictly regulates what can be done for a student-athlete who suffers a death in the family, it is unwise to just assume that sympathetic situations allow for bending of the rules. I have no doubt that Tressel did what Clemson did with the athlete who had to take in his brother: got a waiver. But if he didn't, that would be trouble.

The rules are onerous for a reason: people will do anything to gain an advantage.

Here are some relevant (and otherwise) regulations:

16.02.3 Extra Benefit. An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or a representative of the institution?s athletics interests to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete?s relative or friend a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation. Receipt of a benefit by student-athletes or their relatives or friends is not a violation of NCAA legislation if it is demonstrated that the same benefit is generally available to the institution?s students or their relatives or friends or to a particular segment of the student body (e.g., foreign students, minority students) determined on a basis unrelated to athletics ability. (Revised: 1/10/91)

16.4.1 Permissible. Identified medical expense benefits incidental to a student-athlete?s participation in intercollegiate athletics that may be financed by the institution are: (Revised: 4/29/04)

(e) Special individual expenses resulting from a permanent disability that precludes further athletics participation. The illness or injury producing the disability must involve a former student-athlete or have occurred while the student-athlete was enrolled at the institution, or while the prospective student-athlete was on an official paid visit to the institution?s campus. An institution or outside agency, or both, may raise money through donations, benefits or like activities to assist the student-athlete or a prospective student-athlete. All funds secured shall be controlled by the institution, and the money shall be used exclusively to meet these expenses;

16.11.1.6 Retention of Athletics Apparel and Equipment. A student-athlete may retain athletics apparel items (not equipment) at the end of the individual?s intercollegiate participation. Used equipment may be purchased by the student-athlete on the same cost basis as by any other individual interested in purchasing such equipment (see Bylaw 16.1.5). (Revised: 9/12/03)

16.11.1.12 Miscellaneous Benefits. An institution may provide or arrange for the following benefits for a student-athlete: (Adopted: 4/26/01)

(f ) Reasonable tokens of support and transportation in the event of serious injury, serious illness, or death of a family member and transportation to attend the funeral of any family member;

16.11.2 Nonpermissible.
16.11.2.1 General Rule. The student-athlete shall not receive any extra benefit. The term ?extra benefit? refers to any special arrangement by an institutional employee or representative of the institution?s athletics interests to provide the student-athlete or his or her relatives or friends with a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation.

I don't think this qualifies under 16.4.1(e) because its not an expense. It's a gift. Nor does 16.11.1.6 applies because (1) this isn't the retention and (2) it expressly excludes equipment. So it comes down to 16.11.1.12(f). I don't think a $6k machine is what the NCAA had in mind as a "reasonable token."

Thus, I think Tressel needs (and likely got) an exception from the NCAA.

 

[StoRMinBrutus]

Isn't he violating the NCAA guidelines by providing personal benefits to a player? I hope not, but reminds me of the Jim O'Brien incident.

Vioravis, I work in Lincoln Tower, about a stones throw away from the Stadium, and the "story" came to me over an inter-office OSU email. Alot of people on my floor mentioned it so I dare say alot of employees at OSU know about it (only a guess though). I'd also venture to say that "IF" Coach Tressel did this very nice gesture that he is a little more intellegent than most and would not openly violate any NCAA rules. So rest easy my fellow Buckeye fan :) Alls Well.
Also, I'll ask around as to the validity but the Coach holds things like that close to the vest, so too speak, and I don't know any of the kids or young staff. I just thought it was a nice story (urban legend or not ) about a great Coach with alot of class. Next time I'll do my investigative research first haha.
whew, didn't realize I'd stir up things. Just thought it was a nice story.

 

[ShakerBuck]

Isn't he violating the NCAA guidelines by providing personal benefits to a player? I hope not, but reminds me of the Jim O'Brien incident.

Thats sounds nothing like the OB incident.

 

[zincfinger]

Thats sounds nothing like the OB incident.

It sounds nothing like the Savovic mess. You could argue that it sounds somewhat comparable to the Radojevic situation, at least as O'Brien described it.

Just to be clear, I don't think for a second that there was any sort of violation here. O'Brien, in the most generous possible interpretation of events, was very careless and stupid, two things which I'm pretty confident Tressel would never be.