Ohio State athletics officials are looking into a possible second NCAA rules violation involving quarterback Troy Smith.
Smith attended a quarterback camp held by Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair. Smith was one of six college athletes at the charitable camp, but was the only player of the six whose university is on academic quarters rather than semesters.
If Smith missed a class to attend the camp — as is believed to be the case — he violated NCAA rules.
The Cleveland Glenville product accepted $500 from an OSU booster last year and was forced to sit out the Alamo Bowl, as well as the first game this season.
Working as a counselor at a charitable camp is within NCAA bylaws, provided Smith received written permission from OSU Athletics Director Gene Smith and not missed class. The NCAA has seven other conditions a player must meet to attend an outreach program such as a camp.
Buckeye Head Coach Jim Tressel confirmed to The Repository on Tuesday that the university is studying the situation. However, he said the school’s compliance department is not finished with its inquiry.
Attempts to reach Smith were unsuccessful. Ohio State Associate Athletics Director for NCAA Compliance Heather Lyke declined comment.
Ohio State is preparing to play its opener against Miami of Ohio without Smith. However, the Buckeyes were counting on his availability for the second game against Texas. That game could have early implications on both teams’ national title aspirations.
It is unclear if the latest violation will impact Smith’s current suspension and reinstatement. Smith is currently reinstated with conditions; those conditions are that he miss 20 percent of a season, or two games.
By itself, a violation of Article 12.5.1.1 would not be deemed serious. However, Smith’s history complicates matters.
Since this is Smith’s second violation, it could hinder his reinstatement or cost him more than just the season opener. Tressel declined to talk about the severity of Smith’s latest problem.
Article 12.5.1.1 deals with promotional activities. 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.
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.
A violation of bylaw 12.5.1 is what the NCAA deems a Level 1 secondary violation. According to the NCAA, “These violations are potentially serious from a student-athlete reinstatement standpoint, but typically involve little, if any, institutional responsibility. These will be treated as Level I violations with the understanding that the violations will be processed by student-athlete reinstatement, but will be forwarded to enforcement by student-athlete reinstatement only if the institution has culpability for the violation. ...”
A secondary violation is one inadvertent in nature. Since Smith has a prior violation, it is unknown how the latest incident would be viewed.
2 comments:
Coach Carhart Questions the timing and motivation for the Smith allegations( but does admit his ignorance)
Coach Carhart called the latest allegations against Troy Smith "predictable". The winningest coach in Goblins history only yesterday revealed that his secret weapon for the upcoming season was T. Smith and found the timing of the charges against his rising star Qb to be "a funny coincidence". "I know that the rest of the league is scared of Smith, they all know what he can do and they are looking for a way to keep him on the bench". While denying any knowledge and knowledge of Smith's supposed violations Carhart seemed sure that Smith would be ready to go once the season started. "You know how the NCAA is, if you go to close to a pro football stadium then you are violating a rule-big deal. The public understands that the NCAA is a joke and know that the charges against Smith are unreasonable. The fact is, despite gooders protestations to the contrary, the Goblins have been the most successful program in the league and other schools and the NCAA want to take us down and this is their most recent and desperate tactic to accomplish that goal." "They are all jealous of us and it is sad that our detracters have to resort to picking on a talented kid to get at us. But I know that this is just more baseless garbage that will blow over in a few weeks. Actually, this will help motivate Troy and I am sure he will be ready to torch the league this fall. Unlike some overrated qb's in this league who think the league revolves around them and their team, Troy will keep quiet and let his play do the talking." In the end, Carhart expects nothing serious to come of the lastest Smith scandal and still has Smith scheduled to be his #1 QB.
Coach Wendelberger: Timing is "curious."
Goodger Coach Wendelberger agrees with Goblin Coach Carhart that the timing of the latest allegation against Troy Smith is "curious."
"I don't think the public understands. These are good kids and good kids sometimes make honest mistakes. The rules are Byzantine and it is very easy for inteligent, well-meaning kids to break them without even knowing. I sure hope they don't overreact to this."
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