I know two (2) people, one well and the other an acquaintance, who both know Jim Tressel personally. They have nothing but great things to say about him. So, from the start, I am putting it out that I am biased in regards to this topic.
Right around the time of the scandal, a former Ohio State starting lineman was arrested for drug trafficking. In addition, an Ohio State recruit from Youngstown had recently been shot in what was assumed to be drug/gang related violence.
When considering those issues, it puts the emails to Tressel in a different light IMO. The emails basically said that a federal drug trafficking investigation into the tattoo parlor had uncovered Ohio State athletic memorabilia, including items previously owned by players x, y and z.
My first concern in that situation would be drugs, violence, harm and death. The items would be nothing to me besides their use in connecting which players were associating with this potentially violent person or group of people. The emails made no mention as to how the items ended up at the parlor or whether they were sold, traded or simply gifted to the parlor. Reading those emails you see - FEDERAL INVESTIGATION, DRUGS, TRAFFICKING, VIOLENCE, PRISON. Remember, you know the young men personally and care about them.
My first move would be to contact the alpha player involved or the person that could influence or sway the alpha player. Obviously, if I had no regard for the program, I would contact all of the players and their families. However, if worried about the health of the program, I would try to keep my contact to one (1) or two (2) people who could take care of the situation. Because, even without concern for NCAA violations, the players' connection to drug trafficking alone would be worth keeping out of the rumor mill, or worse yet, the news airwaves.
If my first move failed, I would then meet with all of the players to tell them to stay away from these characters and we would also have a long conversation about who they associate with and other life-choices. I may also make them "think" about it before or after practice with added physical activities. I played a non-lucrative college sport and saw illegal actions, university student code violations and team rules violations punished in-house without publicity and without the involvement of the NCAA, the university higher-ups or law enforcement.
As for the signed compliance documents, which are the most damning IMO, people tend to refer to that act as some grand event where Tressel made this paramount decision to sign documents stating that he does not know of any NCAA violations. However, I am certain the documents were part of a much larger and standard package of documents that nearly every coach in America simply rubber stamps and moves off of their desks. Further, imagine the number of rumors and behind-closed-doors matters that every head coach deals with each year. Did this particular event stand out at the time the document was signed? I doubt it.
In addition, as an attorney, if a government agency were to annually put a stack of standard documents on my desk requiring me, among numerous other things, to affirm that I am not aware of any state or federal violations committed by any client during the past year, I would sign and affirm. If I were having a beer with friends and was asked the same thing, I would say, "[w]ell, I'm not certain of anything but this NYC international shipping company that has Tony on the payroll as a consultant, well....." My affirmation would be truthful because I do not know anything for certain. It would be foolish of me to do anything but sign the documents. At the same time, common sense allows reasonable minds to guess about the missing pieces.
As far as looking the other way: I am almost positive Tressel did look the other way. I am also almost positive that 99% (being conservative) of the other coaches do the same thing and are certainly not seeking out rumors and news about violators. Division 1 NCAA athletics is a black market industry - you have to hustle to survive. One is not looking to Barney Fife the players in the program (That's jaywalking!)
I'll end this ridiculously long post with this: How many savvy cheaters/rule violators communicate via email, let alone work/state email? Sounds like the work of a naive Grandpa or a newbie to me. Even Tressel-haters don't call the man stupid. If knowingly cheating, sending emails about this topic via the osu.edu email address is entirely stupid.
Anyway, the next time your child breaks a law of any kind, felony, misdemeanor or violation, remember to turn him or her over to the relevant government authorities. With their unbiased and arms-length perspective, they will more appropriately manage the severity of punishment for your child. They know better than you.
Last Edited: 4/5/2014 12:27:51 PM by Hank Kingsley