Stay Classy Ohio State

Remember last bowl season when the news broke that Ohio State's star quarterback and wide receiver had violated NCAA sanctions by selling memorabilia? Then remember how Jim Tressel came out and said he wasn't going to suspend his players for the bowl game because it would hurt all of the seniors who had worked so hard for four years. Instead, he would suspend his players for the first five games of next season so they'd learn their lessons. Obviously the only people that bought this line of crap were Ohio State fans because everybody knows the first five games of the next seasons are cream puffs and scrimmages. Clearly Tressel saw a way to "punish" his star players but not have any the record of Ohio State be tarnished in the process. So, if you remember all of that then you remember Ohio State went on to beat Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. Good plan Jimmy!

Then there's this which hit the news today. Looks like Tressel's boys were slanging a little more than throw back jerseys. And, the best part, he knew about it and did nothing.

Mr. Tressel your sweater vest, parted hair and principle glasses are obviously just a costume. If you want people to believe you when you say you're trying to mold young men then the prudent thing is to actually act on those beliefs. Sometimes this may mean that your seniors are affected by the actions of your star players. But those are the players you recruited. You become responsible for them when they show up for the first day of practice and throughout their tenure at your institution. If you don't want to have to make tough decisions then recruit players that won't put you in a position to do so. But, how would you continue to win BCS bowl games without them? Take a look around. Some of your colleagues seem to be figuring it out.

Since we're talking about BCS bowl game wins here's a fun fact about old sweater vest. Ohio State has not won a BCS bowl game under Tressel that did not include a player(s) who were later sanctioned by the NCAA compliance violations.

2003 - Ohio State beats Miami for national title - Maurice Clarrett - improper gifts
2004 - OSU beats Kansas State - Troy Smith sanctioned
2005 - No BCS
2006 - OSU beats Notre Dame - Troy Smith again
2007 - Lose to Florida
2008 - Lose to LSU
2009 - Lose to Texas
2010 - Beat Oregon - Terrell Pryor & Company
2011 - Beat Arkansas - Terrell Pryor & Company (with known NCAA sanctions)

Overall BCS Record without an NCAA sanctioned star player on the field: 0-8.

Stay classy Ohio State, stay classy!