Robert Baker interviewed by NCAA

[LightningRod]

Baker's statement to the Sprigfield paper is very positive.

NCAA meets with Ohio State booster

By Doug Harris

Dayton Daily News

COLUMBUS | The NCAA met with Ohio State booster Robert Q. Baker on Friday to ask questions about the money he admitted to giving quarterback Troy Smith.

A school spokesman would not discuss the meeting, saying only that he remains confident the NCAA will find no wrongdoing by the university.

"They were clear that there isn't anything new other than to talk to Baker," spokesman Steve Snapp said. "We don't feel there's anything systemic, and we feel pretty good about our involvement (with the handling of the Smith case)."

Baker told the Springfield News-Sun he cleared up inaccuracies during the meeting. He still would not admit or deny he gave Smith cash.

He told the News-Sun: "Whether or not I am the fall guy, those are things I cannot control. I don't want to hurt Jim Tressel or Ohio State, he had nothing to do with this. Nothing."

Smith was given an undisclosed amount of cash last spring, reportedly to pay for a cell phone bill on his mother's account that was racked up by former teammate Maurice Clarett.

Smith sat out the Alamo Bowl as part of a two-game suspension. He also is ineligible for the 2005 opener against Miami University.

Before he can be reinstated, he must be cleared by the NCAA. OSU could make an appeal on the player's behalf to have the suspension reduced to one game since the punishment forced him to miss the entire bowl trip.

"It's pretty cut and dried that it's a two-game suspension (based on NCAA precedents)," Snapp said. "We may decide that since he didn't receive any bowl gifts that it ought to count as two games. Or we might bite the bullet and let the suspension stand. We haven't gotten that far."

OSU athletic director Andy Geiger has said the school planned to sever ties with Baker, who was part-owner of a luxury suite on the 35-yard line at football games.

Geiger didn't return a message Friday seeking comment.

Contact Doug Harris at 225-2125.

 

[BB73]

“Whether or not I am the fall guy, those are things I cannot control,” Baker said. “I don’t want to hurt Jim Tressel or Ohio State. He had nothing to do with this, nothing.”

“We requested the interview,” Geiger said. “That was the first time I met him. We asked a bunch of questions that we had. It was a cordial meeting.”

I like both of these quotes. Baker says Tressel wasn't involved, and Geiger had never even met Baker before.

 

[ohiobuck94]

The NCAA met with suspended booster Robert Baker on Friday and Ohio State sports information director Steve Snapp remains confident that "it's pretty cut and dried that it's a two-game suspension."

The NCAA has indicated that they will not interview any additional witnesses regarding the Baker-Smith incident.

In addition, Snapp mentioned that although Smith's punishment may equal only one-game from the NCAA, OSU nonetheless will probably suspend him for two.


latest NCAA news

 

[njbuck]

I would suspend Smith for at least 3 games

I don't think Ohio State should be try to reduce Smith's suspension to one game. I think a message needs to be sent to the student-athletes that the rules are the rules and if you break them an embarrass yourself and the university there will be punishment.

As per Mr. Baker, he should be forever banned from The Ohio State University. If he sets on foot on the campus he should be arrested as a trespasser. The message needs to be sent to others like Baker who are willing to risk the reputation of Ohio State for their own egos. A message must be sent. This type of behavior will not be tolerated!

 

[Folanator]

You cannot retro-actively change the rules just to make a point. Establish a zero tolerance policy now and enforce it.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Exactly. Baker should forever be history. Smith needs to serve his two-game suspension and work his way back. It's an honor and a privilege to be a Buckeye...it's not something to be taken lightly.