Letter to the Sports Editor: ESPN doing a disservice to OSU
Ohio State has a long and storied history of playing, and winning, the game of college football. Due to the success of the program and the size of the enterprise, Ohio State has been forced to weather both the good and bad that comes from the public scrutiny associated with fame.
But nothing could prepare the school for the turmoil that was created by the recruitment of the controversial man-child, Maurice Clarett. Clarett, a running back, appeared in only eight games as a freshman at OSU. His career, although brief, will have a long reaching impact on how Ohio State recruits and handles future players. His messy departure from the program after only one season not only soiled his good name but also contributed to the national embarrassment of the University and its athletic administration.
Clarett was accused of violating a slate of NCAA regulations during his freshman year consisting of allegations of lying to an NCAA inspector, academic fraud and receiving improper benefits. To date, the NCAA has not found one shred of evidence that Ohio State football team has committed any type of institutional error in any aspect of the Clarett matter. All of the punishment meted out by the NCAA was born by Clarett.
The major sports media, led by the sports entertainment giant ESPN, has succeeded in besmirching the University's good name. They are aware that privacy laws and NCAA regulations will not allow the University to defend itself in a proper and open manner. When a college coach refrains from comment on a matter of personal conduct, ESPN can, and often does, accuse the coach of being less than truthful. This type of misrepresentation is disgusting.
Individual acts of improper behavior, both on and off of the field, must be punished firmly, swiftly and fairly. In this regard, OSU has been exemplary in its conduct.
Intentional acts by coaches and administrators such as bribing recruits with unauthorized benefits and manipulating test scores constitute institutional violations by the Athletic department. OSU has been found without fault in this area.
Until such time that the viewing public has an alternative to ESPN, college sports fans will be required to hold their breath awaiting the next assault by ESPN. It would take a major act of courage for a member of the mainstream news media to step forward and expose ESPN's irresponsible and mendacious practices. So far, neither the print nor the broadcast media seem interested.
Vern Mangold
President Football
Parents Association
at Ohio State
