Meh, there's a conspiracy theory out there that Gene Smith has done all these nefarious things to try and cover this up. Well, if he has, he's done a piss poor job.

Gene Smith probably is a very good person on some level -- but he's an incompetent boob when it comes to dealing with crisis communications.

Starting with that abortion of a press conference in March, it's been mostly downhill since. The management of information via the NCAA has been poor, and the result has been OSU staying in the news for long periods of time.

What he should have done is realize he (and possibly the OSU media relations staff) was out of their league on this one. No shame there, most regular media folks are when a crisis hits and you're inundated with media all of a sudden.

It would have been wise to bring in a crisis communications consultant to help better organize when and how information would be released.

For instance: this latest "update" on suspensions should never have been a press conference. They should have released the documents and statements, and told the media no more information would be forthcoming until the matter was resolved.

That eliminates the spectacle of the press conference and the bumbling of Smith trying to answer questions from the press. He's simply not good at it, so why continue to put yourself out there? Be smart enough to know when to delegate this stuff to an expert. OSU has the resources to do so.

If media insist on some time with Smith, he simply schedules a media conference call, and allows questions (to a degree). Otherwise, let them know they'll be contacted when further information is available -- and then do so when you get a decision from the NCAA.

Constantly parading people in front of the cameras and mics creates a "perp walk" atmosphere for video and photography, and lends more scope to what's happening than is warranted.

Just a few observations on my part...

The NCAA could stop these boosters & sports agents from corrupting the process by financially imposing penalties and lobbying the state's legislators for criminal laws. However, the NCAA is a corrupt entity in itself.

For instance: this latest "update" on suspensions should never have been a press conference. They should have released the documents and statements, and told the media no more information would be forthcoming until the matter was resolved.

I agree with you, and after listening to this press conference, wondered why this was called as well. Smith seems extremely uncomfortable during these pressers, which makes him appear as though he's not telling the entire truth. Maybe this is why many of us are hesitant to believe he was blind to everything that was going on....jmo

vball10set;921389 wrote:You are correct, sir, and I never implied otherwise. Other than extolling the virtues of OSU's various sports teams, I don't recall ever saying that a degree from OSU was better than a degree from any other educational institution....that's all

+1

Be lucky to win 3 more games. End of Days upon us.

sleeper;921146 wrote:The problem lies in the media too. Since OSU self-reports, it gives the media more material to pile on when something happens. The average fan(read: hater) will take it and run with the whole "OMG cheaters SO DIRTY HAMMER THEM", and the media wants to generate readership so it'll drum the same line.If you don't self report there is less the media has to run off of.

All of this started because OSU did NOT self-report. Tressell lied and covered up...that is why it has gotten as bad as it has. If he reports as soon as he gets word of things...this whole thing would have ended last year with a few suspensions of players. The lies and cover up is what got the NCAA to hit them with a full investigation.

thedynasty1998;921345 wrote:I know 3 ND alums personally. One is my uncle who probably makes $600,000 a year. One is the head of game day entertainment for the Blue Jackets who I'm assuming makes a max of $80,000. A third works in state government and makes a max of $60,000.

The mean is about $240,000. So it's easy to see how numbers can be skewed. Although I'm sure that ND grads make more money on average I wouldn't necessarily credit their alumni base, because schools like OSU and Michigan may have an advantage in that regard.

she doesn't make that muich
I wish she did make 60...

Hb31187;921280 wrote:Most football players get basic degrees, bc theyre there to play football, not get an education lol. Thats true at almost all major programs

Michael Floyd - Sociology
Gary Gray - Sociology (Grad School)
Theo Riddick - Film, Television, and Theatre
Cierre Wood - Film, Television, and Theatre
Lo Wood - Film, Television, and Theatre
Braxston Case - Psychology

Manti Te'o - Design
Carlo Calabrese - Design
Zeke Motta - Industrial Design

Andrex Hendrix - Biology Pre-Med

TJ Jones - Business
Prince Shembo - Business
Tyler Eifert - Finance
Ethan Johnson - Finance
Dan Fox - Finance
Kapron Lewis-Moore - Business Marketing
Taylor Dever - Business Marketing (Grad School)
Darius Fleming - Business Management/Consulting
Zack Martin - Business Management/Consulting
John Goodman - Business Management/Consulting
Chris Watt - Business Management/Consulting
Harrison Smith - Business Entrepreneurship (Grad School)
David Ruffer - Economics (Grad School)
Sean Cwynar - MBA Program (Grad School)

Jonas Gray - double major - English and Political Science

Keep in mind Notre Dame also makes EVERY player graduate on time. Notre Dame has, to my knowledge, the #1 undergrad business program in the country. It's a huge draw for recruits believe it or not. Yes, there are absolutely guys there for football and football alone (Golden Tate and Jimmy Clausen) but they still have to graduate in four years and guys like Jimmy Clausen actually came back while in the NFL to graduate on time.

Jordan Hall - "has not declared a major"
Chris Fields - "has not declared a major"
Corey Brown - "has not declared a major"
Jack Mewhort - "has not declared a major"
Marcus Hall - "has not declared a major"
Johnathan Hankins - "has not declared a major"
Bradley Roby - "has not declared a major"
Christian Bryant - "has not declared a major"
CJ Barnett - "has not declared a major"

Michael Brewster - Communication

Zach Boren - Sports and Leisure Studies
Storm Klien - Sports and Leisure Studies

Jake Stoneburner - Consumer Services

Carlos Hyde - Management and Industry (this guy personally asked me to write a paper for him within 20 minutes of meeting him)
Andrew Norwell - Management and Industry
Garrett Goebel - Construction Management

JB Shugarts - Family Resource Management
Etienne Sabino - Family Resource Management
Travis Howard - Family Resource Management

John Simon - Exercise Science
Andrew Sweat - Finance

^^^
OK dicknose we get it...ND players "on average" have a better GPA, graduation rate and post college placement. But I ask you - "SO Fk'n WHAT!?!?" None of that crap wins football games. I don't pay $70 / week to go watch some of the best Med & Engrg students in the world take boards. And yes this year I'm paying $70 / week to watch probably what should be the best team in the MAC play a Big 10 schedule. But year in and year out for the past 25 yrs. OSU football has been a better entertainment dollar value than ND football.

Anyone else hearing rumors that Posey might be done for good?

WebFire;921961 wrote:Anyone else hearing rumors that Posey might be done for good?

I am good with this.....

WebFire;921961 wrote:Anyone else hearing rumors that Posey might be done for good?

IMO, Posey had the most to lose by coming back. I have to give him props for doing so, because he did keep his word....but at what cost?

WebFire;921961 wrote:Anyone else hearing rumors that Posey might be done for good?

I don't think anyone knows anything more than anyone else, but with him getting a check for 20 hours for 0 hours worked, I could see the NCAA dragging their feet on his reinstatement till....oh..... Dec 4th.

^^^what cost? the kid is going to school I presume....he should be playing football too. It would be nice to find out exactly how much money he made that was 'improper' to deserve a 6 game suspension (and counting.) It's good to know the NCAA is out there policing all these violators trying to earn some pocket cash.(sarcasm)

HitsRus;922039 wrote:^^^what cost? the kid is going to school I presume....he should be playing football too. It would be nice to find out exactly how much money he made that was 'improper' to deserve a 6 game suspension (and counting.) It's good to know the NCAA is out there policing all these violators trying to earn some pocket cash.(sarcasm)

give it up.

Tiernan;921947 wrote:^^^
OK dicknose we get it...ND players "on average" have a better GPA, graduation rate and post college placement. But I ask you - "SO Fk'n WHAT!?!?" None of that crap wins football games. I don't pay $70 / week to go watch some of the best Med & Engrg students in the world take boards. And yes this year I'm paying $70 / week to watch probably what should be the best team in the MAC play a Big 10 schedule. But year in and year out for the past 25 yrs. OSU football has been a better entertainment dollar value than ND football.

That's really what it's all about though. Ohio State should stop using their players as dancing pandas who illicit an alumni inflow of cash. What is the point of cheering for douchebags who have complete disregard for the university? I'm mainly pointing at the fact that students hated Pryor during the offseason but loved him during, clearly some cognitive dissonance.

You, and plenty of others, have the attitude of "I don't care how dumb they are, I don't care what education they receive, I don't care if they take money and violate rules...I JUST WANT WINS!!" It's a joke.

If you recruit a majority of players who don't care about rules and school, there is probably a lack of character and you probably will see violations.

What good is a win if it's taken away soon after because you have a minor league team? You may get the "entertainment value," but you get the embarrassment of what is happening now too.

Get more Eddie Georges, Craig Krenzels, Chimdi Chekwas, Dane Sanzenbachers.

Tobias Fünke;922045 wrote:

That's really what it's all about though. Ohio State should stop using their players as dancing pandas who illicit an alumni inflow of cash. What is the point of cheering for douchebags who have complete disregard for the university? I'm mainly pointing at the fact that students hated Pryor during the offseason but loved him during, clearly some cognitive dissonance.

You, and plenty of others, have the attitude of "I don't care how dumb they are, I don't care what education they receive, I don't care if they take money and violate rules...I JUST WANT WINS!!" It's a joke.

If you recruit a majority of players who don't care about rules and school, there is probably a lack of character and you probably will see violations.

What good is a win if it's taken away soon after because you have a minor league team? You may get the "entertainment value," but you get the embarrassment of what is happening now too.

Get more Eddie Georges, Craig Krenzels, Chimdi Chekwas, Dane Sanzenbachers.

eh, at least OSU isnt killing anybody. I would rather have negative press from breaking a few rules than negative press for killing a student.

Pick6;922060 wrote:eh, at least OSU isnt killing anybody. I would rather have negative press from breaking a few rules than negative press for killing a student.

You are a moron.

^^^give it up.

lol.

Agreed. Some young athletes took some money from some rich people, not a decision I can say makes one a bad human being. Especially at that age.

Meanwhile, some 50 year old's negligence cost a teenager their life and he ducks any responsibility for it. That, is not someone I would be comfortable rooting for.

keep them coming.

Pick6;922060 wrote:eh, at least OSU isnt killing anybody. I would rather have negative press from breaking a few rules than negative press for killing a student.

2kool4skool;922084 wrote:Agreed. Some young athletes took some money from some rich people, not a decision I can say makes one a bad human being. Especially at that age.

Meanwhile, some 50 year old's negligence cost a teenager their life and he ducks any responsibility for it. That, is not someone I would be comfortable rooting for.

+1

Pick6;922060 wrote:eh, at least OSU isnt killing anybody. I would rather have negative press from breaking a few rules than negative press for killing a student.

Dumb. Negative reps.

Anyone hear Fickell's comments today? Did he have anything to say about Boom and Posey?