The Vest is a Mess: Students React to Tressel’s Resignation

In light of the events of this week, mainly the resignation of our Head Football coach Jim Tressel, Her Campus OSU has decided to both outline and report on the events that have happened thus far, in order to make sure all Buckeye collegiettes™ are informed about what is going on with our school.  Many have for years looked to Coach Jim Tressel as an honest, value-filled man; as a result, the latest information releases have been rather revelatory.  Whether you follow sports or not, or love or hate the vest (Tressel), this will be something that will be repeatedly referenced in both the national news and on our own campus throughout the summer and into the upcoming school year—and it is important to understand the dynamics.


The Ohio State football program, long known for its illustrious, championship-filled career, now has a “scar,” on its once-clean reputation.  It all began earlier in the year when it was revealed that five OSU varsity football players (Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams and Solomon Thomas) had abused their college superstar status by exchanging athletic awards and merchandise (including Big Ten championship rings) for tattoos of varying prices.  As it is against NCAA regulations to exploit athletic status in order to gain special treatment and/or services, these boys found themselves in a heap of trouble.  When their punishments were laid out—suspension from five games and an order to pay the fines for the costs of the tattoos—many Buckeye fans found themselves somewhat relieved.  They believed, aside from a rocky start, that there was still an opportunity to have a successful season next year. 

Nevertheless, shortly after, the Buckeye Nation was once again blindsided.  This time, it was by the revelation that our beloved head coach, Jim Tressel, was acutely aware of this illegal exchange occurring—and that, more importantly, he did not take any actions to either terminate the activities or to report the events.  This news initially brought a lot of panic.  However, when the dust cleared, the (original) punishment laid forth was a two game suspension and a fine; this eventually grew into a five game suspension, as Tressel desired to be penalized the same amount as his players.  Constant barraging from the media, a certain Sports Illustrated article, and rumors of the NCAA’s plan to increase their investigation into the situation, all led to the events of this past Memorial Day (May 30, 2011): when the hailed coach … the man with the vest … submitted his resignation as head coach of OSU football.

Although the iconic vest will no longer be present on the field, and will no longer be seen huddling, cheering, or shouting at the team, the verdict for many OSU students, such as freshman Ryan Schwanz, was not as shocking, unexpected, or undeserved as one might think.

“It needed to happen; the situation was bringing too much negative energy to the program and the players need to take more responsibility for their actions,” Schwanz said.
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Expressing similar feelings was proud buckeye football fan and full-time student Brad Potter.

 “I was expecting it,” Potter said.  “If you look at the past history with coaches who experienced similar scenarios they all resulted in the loss of a job.  For me the most surprising thing was the timing.” 

Freshman Anne Kelly agreed that Tressel losing his job was inevitable, and that resigning was a much more dignified way of leaving.

“I think it is good he resigned because I feel like he would have been fired anyways.  He was not getting out of it.” 

Other students, including freshman Nandita Rajshekhar, are managing to find humor in the situation.

Rajshekhar, who claimed “to be indifferent” about the recent events, only remarked that “I hope they all enjoy their tats.” 

Overall, in true Buckeye-loyalty fashion, there is still a sizeable percentage of the campus body that remains in support of Tressel.  Omer Hashmi is one such student who acknowledges Tressel’s faults but still maintains his backing of the former coach.

“While he has never been the cleanest coach … he did bring many championships; ‘Vest in Peace’,” Hashmi said.  
Another student, Erin M., feels that even though she does not support his actions, she will always be a fan of him.

“I was upset because he was a great coach,” Erin said.  “I do not agree with what he did, but I will stand by him.” 

Other students, including Alex Ziegler, feel that his resignation was too excessive a punishment for the accusations that happened.

“I do not agree with his actions but he should not have lost his job,” Ziegler said.

Finally, there are some students so upset that they are placing blame on other factors. 

Aimee Strange stated that “I was disappointed because he is a good coach but he did make bad decisions … it was all Terrelle Pryor’s fault.”

Regardless of the circumstances and/or what you personally believe, one undeniable fact remains: Jim Tressel will remain a legend here at OSU, and will be severely missed.  The beginning of next football season will be filled with anxiety as to how OSU players and coaches will perform, as well as with longing for the vest that iconized the recent years here at the Ohio Stadium.  Currently, the future of our football program is far from certain.  But, like Buckeyes have always done, we will continue to push through and support our team until prosperity and championships begin to come again.  Even as we progress, we should always remember where we came from and the coaches who got us here—Jim Tressel may have made some mistakes, but the contributions he made to Ohio State will never be forgotten or overshadowed.  O-H!

Photo credit:
http://www.thesportsbank.net/college-fball/jim-tressel-ohio-state%E2%80%…