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Explanation from Steve Snapp on allowing the scUM fight song to be sung on Saturday

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BuckStocksHere

BuckStocksHere

Semper Fi!
Re: Who authorized ESPN gameday to sit atop Ohio Stadium and sing the Michigan fight song?

Mr. xxxxxxxx:<O:p></O:p>
<O:p> </O:p>
In response to your email to President Holbrook, ESPN approached me late Friday evening and said they intended to have Desmond Howard sing the Michigan fight song on Saturday, and wanted to do it in the stadium. My initial reaction was absolutely not, but when it became apparent they were going to sing it somewhere if I said no, I reluctantly concluded, just like numerous other media stories, we really can’t control the content of what they do. That said, I pointed out to them that I thought it was in extremely poor taste and an insult to us, but would let them go forward if they so chose. My issue was that they would sing the song at all on our campus. Had we said no, it was clear they just would have gone to the rotunda or some other place near the stadium. Following that conversation, I also talked to upper level management at ESPN, but in fairness to them, by the time we talked the piece was getting ready to air. We have worked diligently the past year to improve our relationship with ESPN as partners with us and the Big Ten. At the time of my decision to allow them to go forward, I was attempting to work in that vein, at the same time pointing out every negative I could to them. Perhaps, in retrospect, I should have been firmer. As an <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Ohio</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType> graduate, I was appalled by the request, but the blame is mine. <O:p></O:p>
<O:p> </O:p>
Steve Snapp<O:p></O:p>
<O:p> </O:p>
<O:p></O:p>
<O:p>This was Steve's response to my rather lengthy inquiry. Note also, well you can't but I'm telling you, this response was cc'd also to Karen Holbrook and Dave Brown at ESPN. I believe the reason for this is two-fold. 1. President Holbrook wanted an answer herself and wanted to see the response sent, and 2. To show ESPN that people did indeed have a problem with this "performance". </O:p>
<O:p></O:p>
<O:p>I commend Steve for understanding, albeit perhaps a bit late, that it was done distastefully and also for accepting the blame that is due him. I also understand that they are trying to work with ESPN to erase some of the animosity, and allowing this while pointing out the negatives in hopes of them cancelling the bit, was probably the goal.</O:p>
<O:p></O:p>
<O:p>I thought you all would like to see the response. </O:p>
<O:p></O:p>
<O:p>FYI - Dave Brown is ESPN vice president of programming/acquisitions </O:p>
 
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About the only thing he could have done was not let them in the stadium and tell the press about EShitPN's plans so that Buckeye fans wouldn't let them film that anywhere near the stadium except in the Gameday set. If that was the case Herbie probably would have taken care of them for us.
 
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I wrote a letter to President Holbrook with both these concerns and concerns that the administration would have a knee jerk reaction to the complaints from Texas Fans this week. I'm yet to hear anything but will keep everyone updated
 
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buckeyefool said:
I wrote a letter to President Holbrook with both these concerns and concerns that the administration would have a knee jerk reaction to the complaints from Texas Fans this week. I'm yet to hear anything but will keep everyone updated
Click to expand...

I'm sure you'll get a nice response from one of her staffers.

I'm sure her inbox has been flooded recently.
 
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Suffice to say that while Ohio State may be working to overcome all of the animosity created by espn,

espn could really give a shit about whether or not they damage or offend the Ohio State fans, alumni, or football team.

GameDay should NOT be allowed back on campus after that stunt.

Desmond Howard and Nick Simpson singing the MICHIGAN fight song atop Ohio Stadium? Does anyone think that this would have happened at Michigan?

True, they would have gone and done it somewhere else, but they would have had fans to contend with anywhere but the stadium. I would have liked to see them do it somewhere outside of the stadium. Nick Simpson may be a no talent hack, but I don't think he's that stupid.
 
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