COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith did not break any NCAA rules when he missed a class to attend a football camp sponsored by Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair this summer, the school said Monday.
Ohio State athletic department officials spent six weeks probing Smith's attendance at the June football camp in Nashville, Tenn.
NCAA rules prohibit players from attending educational or charitable activities if they miss class and do not get written permission from the school's athletic director.
But because Smith was hired to be at the camp, his presence fell outside the scope of NCAA rules, the school said.
"It was something that he was employed to do, so it falls underneath the category of student-athlete employment," Ohio State spokesman Steve Snapp said. "It was not a promotional or educational activity."
The camp paid for Smith's overnight accommodations -- his only form of payment, Snapp said.
The NCAA and the Big Ten said on Monday they agreed with the school's findings.
But Smith still may face a reprimand from coach Jim Tressel.
"Anytime a student-athlete misses a class, it is unacceptable," Tressel said in a statement. "Troy understands how I feel about the situation and knows there will be consequences.''
Tressel will likely address the issue further at a Thursday news conference, Snapp said.
Last year, Ohio State suspended Smith from the Alamo Bowl for accepting about $500 from a team booster. The NCAA also suspended him for the Alamo Bowl along with the 2005 season opener against Miami (Ohio).
1 comment:
Of course he won't face punishment, he's from Ohio State. In other news, the Minnesota Daily reports that Gophers QB Brian Cupito will be suspended for the first 3 games. Mr. Cupito was turned into the NCAA for picking up a quarter off the street in Dinkytown by Tim Allen, VP of operations for Gopher football. Miles Brand (former IU pres), head of the NCAA stated that Brian used very poor judgement and was "getting off light".
Of course, the ramifications for the homeless in the Dinkytown area might have been catostrophic had the 3 game suspension not been handed out. The U of M locals would have been on hands and knees looking for lost change after hearing the news of Cupito's new found wealth.
In Glen Mason's weekly press conference, he was said to be considering pulling Cupito's scholarship to set an example for his team. Coach Mason was also quoted "Hey, like who cares anyway? I've got three other slow, white quaterbacks to replace him."
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