Even though former Ohio State Buckeyes Coach Jim Tressel has paid with his job and former QB Terrelle Pryor chose to forgo his final year of college football eligibility, (before investigations would have stripped it from him), how come Athletic Director Gene Smith and University President Gordon Gee escape penalty?
All the malfeasance is happening on their watch, yet no one reprimands them. That may come later. In the immediate future, the next Buckeye football personalities to feel the wrath could be in the compliance department.
By Paul M. Banks
According to a story from 10 Investigates
people in the athletic administration are driving courtesy cars provided by local dealers:
“I don’t understand it,” said Bret Adams, a sports agent who represents both professional and college sports coaches. He said that the arrangement sends a bad message. “I don’t understand why — given the scrutiny, that is happening at Ohio State — why the compliance office would risk this relationship?”
The compliance office is supposed to make sure the athletes are playing by the rules. That means they cannot get access to cars because of their status as players.”
Is this a double standard? Do as I say not as I do. Why should they get sweetheart deals on sweet rides when the players are “supposed” to get nothing. So far, there’s smoke, but no fire. It looks bad, but no new infractions have been brought to life – yet. But they’re not the only ones, and this seems to be a gray area. How gray? Charcoal.
“10 Investigates checked and found the university explanation does not totally hold up. While most Big Ten schools allow their athletic directors to take free cars from dealers, that’s not so for compliance officers.
Three other Big Ten institutions — Iowa, Michigan State and Michigan – said that it is OK for their compliance officers to get free dealer cars. The eight other schools, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin said that they do not allow it.”