‘Oh, come let's sing Ohio's praise
And songs to Alma Mater raise…’
Five Ohio State football players were suspended Thursday by the NCAA for the first five games of next season for selling championship rings, jerseys and awards.
‘While our hearts rebounding thrill
With joy which death alone can still…’
“As you could imagine, they were totally depressed. When we got to the interviews, they were very remorseful, there were tears. It was an emotional time.”
‘Summer's heat or winter's cold
The seasons pass the years will roll…’
If the suspensions stand, the players would miss contests against Akron (Sept. 3), Toledo (Sept. 10), at the University of Miami (Sept. 17), Colorado (Sept. 24) and the Big Ten opener against Michigan State (Oct. 1).
‘Time and change will surely show
How firm thy friendship ... OHIO!’
“The awful feeling the Buckeyes now have goes far beyond the feeling that comes with losing a game. So whatever the next step of gut-wrenching is, that’s the way you feel, and we feel a responsibility for our kids on and off the field. Obviously, it’s painful.”
‘These jolly days of priceless worth
By far the gladdest days on earth…’
Tattoos can run anywhere from $50 to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Many college athletes have more than one.
‘Soon will pass and we not know
How dearly we love Ohio…’
For prestige purposes, the Big Ten clearly has a vested interest in its teams performing well in bowl games, particularly Ohio State, one of its perennial powerhouses. Also, the sixth-ranked Buckeyes (11-1) are facing a team from the Southeastern Conference, which is regarded as the nation’s strongest conference.
‘We should strive to keep thy name
Of fair repute and spotless fame…’
The university intends to appeal the suspensions, adding that there was nothing criminal about what the players did — sell awards and uniforms and accept discounts on tattoos from a Columbus tattoo-parlor owner.
‘So in college halls we'll grow
And love thee better ... OHIO!’
One reason the school fought for the players’ suspensions to be delayed until next season is that they felt the other players on the team — particularly the seniors playing their last game — did not deserve to suffer because of what their teammates had done.
‘Though age may dim our mem’ry’s store
We'll think of happy days of yore…’
The school said they were relieved the players can play in the Sugar Bowl. The NCAA said its policy allows players to participate in a championship or bowl game if they were "not aware they were committing violations."
‘True to friend and frank to foe
As sturdy sons of Ohio…’
More egregious to Ohio State fans, some players sold a "gold pants" trinket -- an iconic charm given to players who are a part of a victory over archrival Michigan.
‘If on seas of care we roll
Neath blackened sky or barren shoal…’
“In the time that this occurred, it was a very tough time in our society, one of the toughest economic environments in our history. The decisions that they made, they made to help their families. The decisions that they made were decisions that a lot of people were faced with in trying to deal with the economic times that all of us in this country were struggling with.”
‘Thoughts of thee bid darkness go
Dear Alma Mater...OHIO!’
“I paid for my tattoos. Go Bucks!”