| 25 April 2011
In my inaugural post I take on the polarizing topic of Jim Tressel’s fate as a result of the recent NCAA infractions. If you listen carefully, you can hear the angry mob developing with each word I type.
No name puckers the cheeks of the media nor commands the collective prayers of Buckeye fans more than that of Jim Tressel. Every compliment is met the most microscopic of criticism, while every critique is countered with the blanket array of football achievements. When his name is invoked, logic is thrown out the window in lieu of unrelenting hatred combated with blind devotion. Say it again people. “Jim Tressel”… Say it two more times and a Scarlet & Grey clad genie may appear granting you three wishes. Unfortunately no amount of wishes, prayers or karma is going to save Jim Tressel right now.
Let’s examine what’s happened. And I’ll make it simple. Jim Tressel was made aware of a possible NCAA violation by a friend and did not disclose that information to the proper parties. That’s as simple as it gets. According to the recent “Notice of Allegations” letter sent to the University by the NCAA, here are some snippets of what the NCAA is accusing Jim Tressel of:
- “knew or should have known that at least two football student-athletes received preferential treatment from and sold institutionally issued athletics awards, apparel and/or equipment to Rife”
- “he failed to report the information to athletics administrators and, as a result, permitted football student-athletes to participate in intercollegiate athletics competition while ineligible”
- “failed to deport himself in accordance with the honesty and integrity normally associated with the conduct and administration of intercollegiate athletics”
- “withheld the information from April 2010 until the institution discovered the emails in January of 2011, including throughout the 2010 football season when he permitted football student-athletes to compete while ineligible and during the institution’s investigation of the violations in December 2010”
- “falsely attested that he reported to the institution any knowledge of NCAA violations when he signed the institution’s certification of compliance form, which is required under Bylaw 18.4.2.1.1.4”
In other words, the NCAA is saying Tressel knew what he was doing. And if he didn’t know, he should have known. And he chose to lie. Whether the NCAA is right or wrong, this is what lies before Jim Tressel and The Ohio State University Athletics Department.
Defenders often bring up the trivial nature of the crimes. Such is always the case with frustration. But regardless of our interpretations of how fair the world should or shouldn’t be, the rules are the rules. And according to the NCAA, Jim Tressel knew them and deliberately broke them. So let’s get past the notion of how stupid these crimes are, because the NCAA doesn’t think so. And that’s all that matters right now.
Is there a possible exoneration in the cards? Doubtful… Not that one doesn’t exist. But rather, Jim Tressel has already publicly shouldered the blame. Leading one to believe that if Jim Tressel is truly innocent of these accusations and did act accordingly then he certainly doesn’t want the world to know that. You can use your imagination from there. I know there are fantastic dreams of Tressel emerging from this as a hero rather than a demon. But the reality is Tressel’s best possible outcome will be as a martyr. And that leaves little to be desired since it likely comes with him no longer being the Head Football coach. But in light of what’s transpired, if Jim Tressel is innocent of his allegations, it is not his intention to appear so. Therefore, one can conclude that he has no wish to be exonerated.
So then, let’s pretend that everything accused of Tressel by the NCAA is true. What then? The Athletics Department has already self imposed a penalty of a 5 game suspension along with a $250,000 fine, among other miniscule requirements. How will that be received by the NCAA? It is the opinion (and fear) of this writer that the NCAA will not recognize the self-imposed penalties as adequate. Let me elaborate. The “Tat 5” also are beings suspended for five games. And they too have to pay back the money they received. It would almost appear that the punishments mimic each other which isn’t a stretch given that was the assertion from Tressel and Smith when they extended the suspension to 5 games in the first place. So the punishments appear equal. But were the crimes? I fear that when weighing the two crimes together, Tressel’s infraction is far worse and has greater implications into the college game. Simply put, did OSU win any football games because some athletes sold paraphernalia? I would say no. But did OSU win any football games because Jim Tressel knowingly withheld information that would likely have made those players ineligible? Quite possibly so and there is the distinction I fear the NCAA will make. And thus, as it stands now, the self-imposed punishment does not fit the crime.
So what will the NCAA do? Well, a number of scenarios have been thrown out. I’m sure ESPN right now is having a “Pin the penalty on Tressel” party in their break room complete with ice cream cake in the likeness of Nick Saban. Your guess is as good as mine. But one thing I do believe is that any penalty they put forth will also “not fit the crime”. I realize that appears contradictory in nature. But I believe that the NCAA will be incapable of properly penalizing Jim Tressel. Their hands are tied as far as their reach in such matters. But they can, however, levy sanctions against the entire football program. Hardly seems fair. (There’s that word again that is never applicable in real life) It’s not as if Fickell or any other coach did anything wrong. There were 70+ other scholarship athletes guilty of nothing. And the Tat 5 are already paying for their infractions which should have no bearing in this matter. But what choice does the NCAA have?
This brings us to the final fear of Buckeye nation. Will Tressel offer himself as a martyr for the program? If those who believe Smith and Gee already knew about everything back in April are correct, then it would appear Tressel already is doing so. That would mean the likes of Jack Nicklaus must believe that Tressel is literally “taking one for the team”. But then why would someone like Gene Smith, publicly scrutinize Tressel’s apology. We’re talking about a man who is likely protecting Smith. Even more bewildering, why self report that Tressel knew in the first place? Those emails weren’t requested by the NCAA. They were part of an internal investigation. One spearheaded by the University (Gee) and the Athletics Department (Smith). So I have a difficult time believing that Smith or Gee already knew unless the underlying belief is that Smith and/or Gee wanted Tressel out from the beginning. (In walks Mel Gibson)
Some fear that Tressel may offer his prompt retirement as payment for these infractions. The notion suggests that the NCAA would presumably lessen the penalties imposed on the football program as a result. Truly, this would also make Tressel a martyr. Such a conclusion would likely warrant the collective tears from the entire state of Ohio. But in reality if this were to occur we would never know about it. But would this solve anything? Would this send the message to programs everywhere that the NCAA takes such infractions seriously?
Occam’s razor (my loose interpretation) suggests that in a search for truth the scenario that requires the least assumptions is the one that should be observed. So we must reduce what we know to facts. And then base everything entirely on the facts that we are certain of. Because of this, Jim Tressel admitting to these infractions will prevail over everything else. And we must base the penalties in accordance with that fact. The question remains, will the NCAA levy penalties on Jim Tressel, or will they levy them on the entire football program. I do not envy the position of any of the parties involved. It would appear that both the NCAA and tOSU have great decisions to be made. The tragedy of it all is that everything comes at the expense of the innocent or the loss of our honored figurehead.
As we await our impending lashes, the divisiveness amongst us runs deep. I can only hope that we can take a page from Jim Tressel. And recognize that in light of our imperfections we can ask for forgiveness, forgive others and forgive ourselves. Rest assured Buckeye fans, just over the horizon, Buckeye football will begin again soon with or without you or I or Jim Tressel or Gene Smith or Gordon Gee. Buckeye football will live on as we age, pass away and perpetually exist in the boiling underbelly of college football fanaticism.
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