OSU <t>I have some mixed feelings on this one. I really don't have much against OSU and I really had always thought Tressel was a stand up guy. All this surprises me more than anything. That he would let this happen is what gets me. I'm not throwing any stones for sure cause God knows I've made tons of mistakes in my life but this is just a head scratcher. I guess the will to win sometimes overwhelms your common sense sometimes. I'm guessing the NCAA is going to hit them pretty hard but Tressel and OSU will survive it. <br/> <br/> What he probably really needs is someone looking over his should saying "come on Jim, you gotta do something" when things like this come up. as has already been mentioned I'm sure his current AD isn't very helpful to him.<br/> <br/> As an ND fan, I really don't have a conference I root for much but I usually pull for BIG 10 teams when they are playing other conference teams(with the exception Of Purdue of course, sorry Stu) so I'm hoping OSU gets through this with the least possible injury.</t>
What? Who? Did I miss something? Did Pres Machen come out in favor of Tressel's actions? What has he got to do with this? BT, when we were discussing the legal actions of SEC schools, you stated that you had made up your mind and that was that! Now your coach is accused of violating his contract and covering up the violations of 5 of his players and you have all kinds of explanations as to how it was all for honorable reasons. So like I said, when one's own program is being accused there are all kinds of plausible explanations, but when someone else's program is being accused there is no explanation other than guilt and obvious unethical behavior. :shock:
Kp, I have to admit it's a bit of a head scratcher to me also. Seems things are different when it's your ox being gored instead of you being the one goring.
I have held back on this as I have most often on other similar NCAA issues because as a Gator fan I understand completely how unfair the whole system of enforcement can be but this is just a ridiculously outlandish article: http://cfn.scout.com/2/1054367.html
Dave, explain. I agree with you that as a Gator fan we understand how unfair the whole system can be, but I read several articles within that link, what is it you find outlandish? George, in light of all the hypocrisy I wonder why so many fans follow football? For the record I agree with the writers when they day that the stuff that belongs to the players should be theirs to do with as they decide.
Dave, Bill, I don't know whether Tressel should be fired or not, but what I have a real problem with is the way that some take shots at schools from a very smug and cynical position until they themselves are on the hotseat. Then those same folks become very openminded and forgiving. I'll make a prediction: if the NCAA decides to add to the OSU self-imposed sanctions, they will be be accused of being unreasonable and arbitrary. By the way the NCAA is unreasonable and arbitrary. :wink:
"Hi there Mr. New Recruit" "Hi, Mr. Rich Alum." "I'd like to give you $10,000 for coming to Happy U" "Much as I'd like the money, I've been told by Happy U's coach that I can't accept money for playing here." "Say do you have any socks that you've worn in practice?" "Sure. I've got plenty of old stinky socks." "Good. I'd like to buy two for say $5,000 each." "Isn't that taking money against NCAA regulations?" "Heck no. In fact lots of writers and college football fans believe that if it's your stuff you can sell it." "OK, great. Thanks for the cash."
Gipper, you should add that Mr. Rich alum then takes the stinky socks back to his house and mounts them on the wall.
Why? He's not stupid. He's just taking advantage of what gullible folks think are property rights transactions.
Yeah if kids can sell that stuff, the whole thing will become a big ebay for college athletes selling stuff way beyond it's value to boosters.
Terry and gipper, I cannot disagree with your concerns. However when players get a several game penalty for what are really small amounts of money while behind the scenes apparently there some pretty big seems to change hands. I find it a dilemma.
I don't know , Bill. I watch college football because I love the competition, football in general and the unpredictability of it at this level. But I don't delude myself as to the hypocrisy of a game that has allowed so many shenanigans behind the scenes. We just concluded one lively debate on oversigning, the practice of an adult coach telling a minor that he has a full scholarship to his school and then yanks it away at the stroke of midnight when a better player comes along. We rationalized that practice to death, didn't we. Schools hire a coach and pay him millions per year to do one thing...win. How he gets there is his own business. The rich alumni and boosters, the BB fans etc. treat this coach as a god. The coach knows what he has to do and goes out and finds the players that he needs to fulfill these rabid expectations. Hopefully they can read and write; maybe their past criminal activities can be whitewashed and explained away. Once we get them into the fold we can keep them on the path a "degree" taking courses like social dancing or sports and society and by having "tutors" help then through the rigors of advanced education. If they get into any hijinks like firing off automatic weapons in apartment complexes, beating up kids half their size etc. we watch as the coach springs into action to defend this misunderstood youngster. The examples are endless. So some of Tressel's kids figure out that they can sell jocks, socks and some game worn jerseys to rich boosters and fans with misguided priorities for money, not to send home to momma but to ink up their bodies. He sees his future threatened and gives up a minimum of information, works out a livable punishment and moves on. Trouble is, loose lips sink ships and when you place your well being in the hands of a child, well, that kid is probably gonna run his mouth. So we find out there is more to this and now JT is in real trouble. The same boosters and alumni who originally canonized him now may lynch him. And he will always have a cloud over his head. I think that's why Urban got out when he did. I can't blame these coaches for the most part. Would any of us act differently if our $4M a year job was threatened? I understand it. I just don't ignore it. Bill, why is WWE's Momday Night Raw one of the most watched programs on TV for years?
KP, I think you're taking this oversigning stuff a little too personally.....I'm not taking shots at schools, I'm taking shots at the practice. I don't believe the schools or the coaches should be fired for doing what is legal, I believe the practice should be banned. Smug and cynical? If being in opposition to oversigning as are a majority of college football fans and many influential college presidents and coaches is a smug and cynical stance....so be it. I guess I am guilty, but with plenty of company. What does that make the distinct minority in support of the practice? Tressel's issues are not going to change the publics overwhelming opposition to the practice..... Openminded and forgiving.....is that a bad thing? I stated categorically that I believe his actions were wrong, he exercised very poor judgement and deserves punishment......that's your definition of openminded and forgiving? Openminded and forgiving in the sense that I didn't call for his dismissal and continue to support him as our head coach? Based upon the entire body of work over his lifetime, I guess I am.....and simply don't believe that his actions in this case are so heinous as to trump all consideration that has come before this..... Not openminded and forgiving because I am strongly opposed to oversigning? I just don't believe that being opposed to oversigning makes one less than openminded and forgiving......based upon that definition, anyone in opposition to anything cannot then be openminded and forgiving....that just doesn't make sense.
Here's what's funny about this post; I'm am so blinded by my HUSKERSHIP, that I could absolutely care less, and I mean don't give a &#!^ what's going on in the world....."Just win Baby" -- Al Davis
So you are unaware that Fine Line Ink has set up a branch parlor in Lincoln to provide tattoos to Marines and Husker Football players?
You can add "uneven" and "unfair" in their punishments KP... Bill, I was trying to point out how ludicrous it would be to even consider writing up an argument of Tressel's firing over this. He didn't alter transcripts.....pay recruits fathers off......etc.... He didn't do right but man a possibility of his firing should not even come into question over this.