Ohio State athletic director to retire
By RUSTY MILLER, AP Sports Writer
January 5, 2005
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger is retiring after a decade featuring some of the Buckeyes' greatest victories and biggest embarrassments.
From the time Maurice Clarett led the Buckeyes to the national championship in 2002, the school's athletic department has been beset by NCAA investigations of its football and basketball programs.
The school announced the retirement in a news release Wednesday. Geiger, 65, and university president Karen Holbrook were scheduled to appear at a news conference later in the day.
It was not immediately known when Geiger's retirement would take effect. Geiger, who has been AD since 1994, has 17 months left on his contract.
After leading Ohio State to the national title as a freshman, Clarett was suspended for lying to investigators during an NCAA probe of allegations that he received improper benefits from a family friend.
Last month, the school imposed a one-year postseason tournament ban on its men's basketball team over an alleged $6,000 payment to a recruit by former coach Jim O'Brien.
Ohio State president Karen Holbrook said the firing of O'Brien on June 8 was the first step in appeasing NCAA investigators. She and Geiger said more penalties may be coming.
In football, quarterback Troy Smith was suspended for the Alamo Bowl for accepting benefits from a booster.
Clarett has accused football coach Jim Tressel of setting him up with cars, said boosters provided him with no-show jobs and that Ohio State professors gave breaks to football players.
A search of court records by The Associated Press revealed at least 14 arrests involving 14 football players in the period following Tressel's hiring in January 2001 and May 2004. Others, such as Smith and running back Lydell Ross, were suspended for at least one game following other disciplinary problems.
By RUSTY MILLER, AP Sports Writer
January 5, 2005
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger is retiring after a decade featuring some of the Buckeyes' greatest victories and biggest embarrassments.
From the time Maurice Clarett led the Buckeyes to the national championship in 2002, the school's athletic department has been beset by NCAA investigations of its football and basketball programs.
The school announced the retirement in a news release Wednesday. Geiger, 65, and university president Karen Holbrook were scheduled to appear at a news conference later in the day.
It was not immediately known when Geiger's retirement would take effect. Geiger, who has been AD since 1994, has 17 months left on his contract.
After leading Ohio State to the national title as a freshman, Clarett was suspended for lying to investigators during an NCAA probe of allegations that he received improper benefits from a family friend.
Last month, the school imposed a one-year postseason tournament ban on its men's basketball team over an alleged $6,000 payment to a recruit by former coach Jim O'Brien.
Ohio State president Karen Holbrook said the firing of O'Brien on June 8 was the first step in appeasing NCAA investigators. She and Geiger said more penalties may be coming.
In football, quarterback Troy Smith was suspended for the Alamo Bowl for accepting benefits from a booster.
Clarett has accused football coach Jim Tressel of setting him up with cars, said boosters provided him with no-show jobs and that Ohio State professors gave breaks to football players.
A search of court records by The Associated Press revealed at least 14 arrests involving 14 football players in the period following Tressel's hiring in January 2001 and May 2004. Others, such as Smith and running back Lydell Ross, were suspended for at least one game following other disciplinary problems.
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