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Gene Smith opens up about tattoo scandal in 10TV interview

evans.403@osu.edu

Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Updated: Saturday, June 16, 2012 00:06

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said in an interview on WBNS 10TV Monday that he had no knowledge of any improprieties that occurred during the tattoo-for-memorabilia scandal that rocked the football team in December 2010.

“I’ve always been honest, I’ve always been forthright,” said Smith during the interview. “When I’ve made mistakes, I’ve shared that I made a mistake to my supervisor.”

The one-on-one interview was his first since the OSU football team incurred NCAA sanctions after six players were caught selling their memorabilia for tattoos. Many OSU faithful felt that the athletic director knew more than he led on. Some even felt he threw former head coach Jim Tressel “under the bus.”

“It’s hard, it’s difficult,” Smith responded, “particularly for my family, for my kids who live around this country and had to listen to different things, had to read certain things.”

Smith said he stays true to remaining accountable for his actions and he stays focused on doing the right thing.

“I think you get rewarded for accountability, I accept accountability, I think it’s important in life to do that,” he said. “I think you get respected because you man up, so to speak. And I do that constantly.”

Smith was also asked how he felt about being booed while introducing Urban Meyer as the new head football coach during halftime of the OSU-Duke basketball game on Nov. 29.

“It was painful,” he said, “to be booed by the people that you serve every day.”

And what does he have to say to all those “boo-birds” who might doubt his sincerity?

“I’d say 'Call me, let's chat,'” Smith quipped. “You can share your point of view and I’ll share mine, and we may come in the same spot. And if we don’t, let's respect one another and move on.”

 

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14 comments

Anonymous
Wed Jun 6 2012 00:38
Let's get something straight, Smith didn't hire Tressel, Matta or Jim Foster for that matter. In other words, he shouldn't get the credit for the success of the department for coaches he didn't even hire. These coaches won a ton of games and Smith gets the credit. Thank you Andy Gieger, Smith is basking in his success!!
Anonymous
Thu May 17 2012 10:11
When college athletes are driving new vehicles, wearing expensive clothing and jewelry, a casual observer would become curious if inclined. I seriously doubt this is the first occasion.
Anonymous
Thu May 17 2012 08:37
I have never believed Smith knew what was going on. Tressel kept it to himself. Heck, I don't even think the players involved knew that Tressel knew. I think Smith did a good job with a horrible situation. Tressel threw himself under the bus. Smith and Gee tried to keep Tressel, but Tressel has never said he was sorry for what he did.
Anonymous
Thu May 17 2012 06:25
One more thing to add... DO YOU SEE WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR OSU? We are golden. Football, basketball, all of it. Were on top. Two programs that handled scandal, and new hires. Both are on top right now... The football program took less than a year. And yet you hate on Smith? Seriously, stop looking at everything that went wrong and start noticing everything that went right.
Anonymous
Thu May 17 2012 06:21
Everyone has the same thing to say... HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN! or I KNOW HE KNEW! ... Seriously flawed thinking, people. What cosmic law says he "should have known?" That's why it was a cover-up! They were covering it up, so he wouldn't know. AND, to everyone who says that he knew... NO YOU DONT... You would like to think he knew, so you would have another scapegoat, but no matter how many times you say it. YOU DONT ACTUALLY KNOW IT... Stop whining, and move on now.
Anonymous
Thu May 17 2012 02:59
Gene Smith is the AD. The "Compliance Department" reports to him. Either he knew what was going on or should have known. It was and still is his responsibility to know what "his" student-athletes are doing.

Now, then how about the media find a new bone to chew into... Go Bucks!

Anonymous
Wed May 16 2012 22:04
Why bring up a dead horse. Gene Smith says he was not informed in the tattoo scandal. I believe him and so should everyone else. If he was informed, I'll guarantee, the NCAA would have let everyone know.
Now, let's get to matters at hand. Get our football program back on track and get behind Smith and our new coach.
This is a new day and the future looks bright from my point of view. I can't wait for the forthcoming season and our winning ways. Go Bucks!!
Anonymous
Wed May 16 2012 19:40
No, he didn't throw Tressel under the bus. This man is a top-level executive who, on a day-to-day basis handled the Pryor mess and represented the University with class and integrity. There will always be those willing to form and render opinions without necessarily having all the facts. This man is a class act who has the responsibility of running one of the largest (if not the largest) athletic department in the country. Tell me, who do you think could have done a better job over the last 18 months?
Anonymous
Wed May 16 2012 19:14
There is no doubt in my mind that Tressel kept his email "secrets" to himself. I can't imagine what makes people think Smith "knew" or "should have known". Having said that, I think Smith made an overwhelming maistake in his miscalcualtion of the NCAA penalties and he should have been held accountable for this mistake. This mistake casued us to play in a meaningless bowl game last year and to miss a bowl game (and a B10 championship game this year. He may be a gentleman but he is not the sharpest knife in the drawer . . . and he is being paid the wages of a very sharp knife.
Anonymous
Wed May 16 2012 18:45
It's difficult for me to believe that Tressel was more involved in a coverup than Smith. And if Smith didn't know, he certainly should have. Sure I don't have all the facts (and never will) but Smith should be let go for his handling of this mess.
Anonymous
Wed May 16 2012 18:37
Gene Smith should have been gone a long time ago. Nothing he says could change my mind. He was as much at fault as Tressell if not more so.
Anonymous
Wed May 16 2012 13:44
I respect your work for this university's athletic department, Mr Smith. Your term has seen some of the highest success across the entire athletic department as we have ever seen. Most true Buckeye fans know this and support you. Please do not be hurt by the vocal minority of Buckeye fans. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Anonymous
Wed May 16 2012 12:30
I am glad that Ohio State extended Smith contract recently!! The guy has taken to much crap for what went on!!

More people probably dislike Smith than Tressel and that is not right. The players, then Tressel should be booed!

Smith is a good man. Go Bucks

Anonymous
Wed May 16 2012 12:22
Smith should of been fired a long time ago. He knew what was going on. It was a Federal investigationthat was being run on the Tatoo parlor. I'm sure the Feds contacted Smith before Tatoogate blew up. He thre Tressel under the bus, when it should of been Smith that should of ben fired. Tess was a good man and good coach. This comming from a Michigan fan




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