QB Troy Smith (2006 Heisman Trophy Winner)

[sandgk]

So Lightning -- To summarize ..

The original article on Page 1 of this thread is wrong when it states:
"Smith is allowed to be reimbursed for driving to Tennessee to attend the camp so long as the reimbursement is in line with what others would receive."

Of course, I have not read anywhere that Smith received any expenses to cover travel costs, period. So the implicit assumption that he did receive compensation to cover gas / mileage is yet to be proven.

So -- we don't know, nor does anyone else (yet) that Smith received monies.

Next you point out another conflict between the rules as written and the assumption made by original writer -- i.e. that going to a charitable event in TN is OK. This does on its face appear to go against the constraints imposed by rule 12.5.1.1, which 100-mile radius is not lifted by the strict wording of rule 14.7.3 - as it only applies to events preparatory to official competition within the calendar year of that competition. McNair's QB camp is not such a prep session for a Games or other recognized event.

Then we have the this quote from the original article to consider:
"At the very least, Smith violated condition (d), which grants permission to attend a camp or outreach program so long as the student-athlete does not miss class, and condition (a), which requires written permission from the athletic director or designated coach to attend the camp."

3 points come to mind,
1 -- the writers assumptions become moot if the real issue is that the camp was beyond the 100 mile radius (i.e. writer not seeing forest for the trees).
2 -- We don't know that Smith missed any classes. Could be zero classes as they make ready for exams the following week. Could be classes were scheduled. Point is the writer nor we know the truth of the matter -- and the writer offers no proof either way.
3 -- Writer assumes that there was no grant of permission. We do not know that this was the case, he offers no assertion fromn the AD's office to support this assumption.

So, what I wonder is the following. tOSU's shows a reluctance to issue further statements on this matter. Part of that is normal operating procedure, caution before maknig a foolish statement. I wonder if part of this is due to them sorting the wheat from the chaff.

Lastly, is there any manner in which this falls entirely outside the rules cited by the writer? Seems very unlikely, but stranger things have happened beofre.

I'm taking a wait and see attitude. If it as bad as some fear then I will make my mind up on Smith and on any questions of maturity. Frankly, as it stands now there are just as many questions rasised by the gaps in the writer's reporting, errors and omissions if you will, as any doubts concerning Troy's ability to "do the right thing."

 

[jlb1705]

I'm amazed - but not surprised - at the way people are completely overreacting to this. I think this is minor shit, and that he shouldn't be punished for it, but I know how the NCAA can be, and would not really be surprised either way.

Shame on you people that are assasinating this kid's character over this. Troy Smith was trying to do something positive for a group of young kids as well as himself and his team by attending and volunteering at that camp. Reading what some of you have said about Troy Smith, you'd think the kid forgot to de-ice a jumbo jet or stood on a dock and watched apathetically as his best friend drowned. Even if he has to miss more games, lets his team down, or whatever - some of you guys need to get a little perspective.

 

[Steve19]

Maybe the 500 dollars from the booster was used to pay for this trip.

Thanks so much for your usual thoughtful contribution to this thread, Tibor. Hayn has gone to bed but I am sure that he would want to renew his sentiment.

Wait, I think I see him now....

 

[craigblitz]

Well after sifitng through the ingnorance of people calling out Troy and the dribble that gets spewed from Tibor on a frequent basis, I do not think this a big deal at all. It was a charity event, do you even know what the event was Tibor? Nope, Steve McNair does several community events and one of them is a free football camp for kids where college athletes help out in.

For the ingnorance of the NCAA, you are going to punish a kid who put his community and sacrificed his own personal time to help others??? That makes sense. Hmm lets see, Proff I have to miss class because I am working at a charity event to help with the Tsunami victims but have to miss class. Sorry Troy, you can not do that the NCAA thinks going to class is more important then helping others. Maybe a reach in saying his football camp was helping victims, but none the less it was a CHARITY event!!!

 

[jwinslow]

What's absurd is that the teacher has the right to penalize the kid's grade if his missing class is a big deal. It probably wasn't, since most of the time the end of the year classes are just review anyway. There are a million ways to make up missing those classes.

What's absurd is that the teacher has the right to penalize the kid's grade if his missing class is a big deal. It probably wasn't, since most of the time the end of the year classes are just review anyway. There are a million ways to make up missing those classes. Why can't the NCAA let the teacher handle the judgment and consequences (on his grade, and therefore eligibility), rather than having unbelievably unrealistic rules for so many things?

 

[Steve19]

The NCAA rules started out to be a way to ensure fair competition between amateurs. Somewhere along the way, the rules have become an impenetrable collection of absurdly written regulations that require a cottage industry of paralegals for interpretation.

When we start wondering if a kid has driven more than 100 miles away from school to participate in a charity event for underprivileged kids so that we can determine his penalty, it's time for the major colleges to bring the NCAA to account and simplify this nonsense.

 

[AKAK]

What's absurd is that the teacher has the right to penalize the kid's grade if his missing class is a big deal. It probably wasn't, since most of the time the end of the year classes are just review anyway. There are a million ways to make up missing those classes.

What's absurd is that the teacher has the right to penalize the kid's grade if his missing class is a big deal. It probably wasn't, since most of the time the end of the year classes are just review anyway. There are a million ways to make up missing those classes. Why can't the NCAA let the teacher handle the judgment and consequences (on his grade, and therefore eligibility), rather than having unbelievably unrealistic rules for so many things?

On a side note... and I do agree with the sentiment of your post, especially as it relates to the NCAA...

However, I do remember Jim Tressel's very first press conference when he was introduced as head coach... and I think it was in response to the fact that one of his own children was not in attendance at that presser (I apologize if that wasn't precisely the circumstance) but the quote was, "We only miss class for funerals, your own" ....so... while that was certainly to make a point about the importance of attending class, and we know there is an exception to every rule... you would think on one hand that Tressel would have problem if Troy missed class to go OR on the other hand maybe that's a good reason to beleive that Troy didn't actually miss any classes....

At any rate... I'd say... based on pure speculation on my part.... that either everything is cool (reimbursment issue aside... which I doubt is a problem anyway) OR Troy went without going through the proper channels.. and is going to have some kind of NCAA problem as well as a problem with JT.

 

[daddyphatsacs]

Regardless of what Troy did or what he did it for, he again finds himself explaining his actions to the punkass NCAA. I'm sure he meant nothing by it, and it most certainly was for a good cause. I'm sure that what he did is very minor, but my point is that everyone else on the team (for the most part) can steer clear of NCAA violations. Maybe he's just under the microscope...I'm not sure. But he seems to have a knack for being around things that make news (scuffle, money from donor, and this issue), and draw attention to him and OSU. And when the NCAA starts probing around nothing good can come from it. I'm hoping that he'll be cleared, and will be available for Texas, I think the team needs him. Troy seems to be a genuine person, and all of things that he's been involved with have an excuse for why, and probably were just accidents. But my point is, don't you think that you'd be very cautious if you know that they are watching you like a hawk.

For what it' worth I do think that some are going extreme on both sides. Troy is neither a criminal, nor a saint in my opinion....the same can be said for most of us on this board. I just wish that he'd stay out of the news until fall..........thats all.

 

[bukIpower]

well actually theres a very good chance that he didn't have class. Since its a review week his classes probably meet more than 1 time during the week, and if so they might have reviewed enough material to just have Thursday/Friday for the kids to stay at home and *study*.

I agree with whoever has said they missed classes all the time. I miss my share of classes every semester but I'm still able to maintain a 3.0 easily? So This is total horseshit if he's passed all of his classes (which seems to be the case). I mean hell what happens if the kids sick? Does he have to report it? Does he have to walk down to coach tressels office to let him see for himself? I mean damn this is ridiculous.

On a side note if he's punished we still are fine at QB!!! WE WILL beat texas either way. Also I think this could help Zwicks confidence knowing he might be starting more than just 1 game.

 

[tibor75]

Well after sifitng through the ingnorance of people calling out Troy and the dribble that gets spewed from Tibor on a frequent basis, I do not think this a big deal at all. It was a charity event, do you even know what the event was Tibor? Nope, Steve McNair does several community events and one of them is a free football camp for kids where college athletes help out in.

The ignorance continues...
Free event? Except for the part about the 175 dollar entry fee. It's a charity event b/c McNair doesn't pocket the money.

If OSU fans had their way, this event would have been a free tutorial for inner city kids who are also orphans.

OSU fans are always good for a laugh

TUITION

The price per camper is $150 before April 15th. After April 15th the price is $175 per camper.

To reserve a spot in Steve’s football camp, please click HERE to download the application form (using Adobe Acrobat Reader). Please complete the form and mail with your check or money order to:

Steve “Air” McNair Football Camp
#1 Willow Bend Dr.
Hattiesburg, MS 39402

Please make check or money order payable to the Steve McNair Foundation.

REFUND POLICY: 100 percent of fee is refunded if cancelled by May 1, 50 percent fee is refunded if cancelled by May 15. No fee will be returned after May 15, 2005.

 

[strohs]

The reporter might not have known all of that information but what are the chances that Smith didn't have class Thursday or Friday the final week of classes? I'm not passing judgement, just stating facts. It will be intersting to see what the real story was in the near future.

I personally only had 1 of my usuall 5 classes on those two days before finals week.
My GF I believe had none of her classes that Thurs or Fri.
I would say the chances are good, I wouldn't think he would be skipping classes right before finals...

 

[BB73]

I think that the only way that Troy Smith should bear any penalty for what happened is if he attended the camp without the prior approval of the coaching staff/athletic department. If he missed some class time, and left town to participate in the camp without checking with somebody first, then he made a mistake. But it's a minor mistake and we'll have to see what the NCAA will do about it.

If he let somebody know that he was planning on leaving town to go to McNair's camp on those days, and he actually did miss class; then the error lies within the athletic department or with someone on the coaching staff that didn't follow proper procedures or fully understand the NCAA's intricate rules. If Troy informed someone in authority ahead of time I don't think that he should be penalized. But if somebody didn't follow the procedures when Troy Smith was involved, that person made a terrible error by not being extra careful, based on the firestorm surrounding Smith last November/December. When your athletic department is as large as tOSU's, there need to be procedures in place to determine potential violations in advance.

I don't think Troy's motives for attending the camp were either altruistic or materialistic. I don't believe he drove there and back in order to get gas and/or meal money. But I also don't believe that he went solely out of the kindness of his heart. It was a chance for him to meet and learn from Steve McNair, a player he admires, and at the same time help instruct some younger athletes. I don't believe he should be painted as a saint or a sinner for his participation in the camp.

Overall, this is a very minor issue, and hopefully will blow over without any further penalty for Troy and/or tOSU. But I will watch SportsCenter today for the first time in ages, just to see how they report on this incident, if at all.

 

[TheStoicPaisano]

It's doubtful he even had a regular class on Friday anytime during the quarter. At least half the campus doesn't have class on Fridays, only people taking heavy loads or students completing their language requirements (which are 5 days a week) would have something scheduled. Unless Troy has changed his major (communications) recently, I know he didn't have any classes in that field on Friday, because communications has zero classes scheduled for that day.

 

[sandgk]

The ignorance continues...
Free event? Except for the part about the 175 dollar entry fee. It's a charity event b/c McNair doesn't pocket the money.

If OSU fans had their way, this event would have been a free tutorial for inner city kids who are also orphans.

OSU fans are always good for a laugh

TUITION

The price per camper is $150 before April 15th. After April 15th the price is $175 per camper.

To reserve a spot in Steve’s football camp, please click HERE to download the application form (using Adobe Acrobat Reader). Please complete the form and mail with your check or money order to:

Steve “Air” McNair Football Camp
#1 Willow Bend Dr.
Hattiesburg, MS 39402

Please make check or money order payable to the Steve McNair Foundation.

REFUND POLICY: 100 percent of fee is refunded if cancelled by May 1, 50 percent fee is refunded if cancelled by May 15. No fee will be returned after May 15, 2005.

Smith was there as an instructor, not an attendee. If he was receiving pay your correction to the "charity" tag makes sense. AS he was not getting any pay (the issues of reasonable expenses aside) then it amounts to way less than a tiny hill of beans.

Of course, the NCAA and its rules may interpret things differently -- but that all important matter remains to be decided, doesn't it?

Make my checks to vCash.

 

[BuckeyeInTheBoro]

The ignorance continues...
...
Please make check or money order payable to the Steve McNair Foundation.
...

Indeed your ignorance knows no bounds.

...the Steve McNair Foundation, which provides financial assistance to Boys & Girls Clubs in Mississippi and Tennessee and grants scholarships for McNair’s football camps in Nashville and Hattiesburg.

So you see, Troy was volunteering his time, knowledge and skills to a cause which raised money for a charity which in fact did help inner-city kids.

Did Troy get something out of it? I sure hope so, but that really makes no difference. Did Troy work directly with those inner-city kids? Probably not, but again, his efforts raised money for them.

I recently ran a 5K to raise money for a group which houses the homeless. I did not in fact house (or even see) a single homeless person, but I did raise about $1000. I got a side benefit from this that I was forced to improve my health. Did I do charity work to help the less fortunate? You bet I did... and so did Troy.