DEVELOPING: Gee Stepping Down July 1 ( Or "Retiring")

((HT: Columbus Dispatch/Pyle))

So, as of July 1, we won't have Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee to kick us around anymore...

He's sending out an e-mail that reads in part:

“Without question, the university has achieved remarkable success, and it has been my honor and calling to lead it. Ohio State is well-positioned for the future. I love this university, and my relationship with it will continue.”

OSU’s former Provost Joseph A. Alutto has agreed to serve as interim president until the school's board of trustees can find a replacement.

The last straw seemed to be his remarks at the December Ohio State Athletics Council where he went after everyone from Catholics, to the Ess-E-Cee, and everyone in between...
((HT: SI.com))


Gee released a statement in concert with his announcement that had the normal amount of platitudes and compliments from his school and everyone associated with it.

From Lyle's piece:

“I recently returned from a vacation with my family, during which time I had a chance to consider the university’s phenomenal achievements and the road that lies ahead for it.”

“During my days away, I also spent some time in self-reflection. And after much deliberation, I have decided it is now time for me to turn over the reigns of leadership to allow the seeds that we have planted to grow,” he said. “It is also time for me to reenergize and refocus myself.”

Trustees, naturally, returned the favor knowing Gee was out of their hair once and for all...

More from Lyle:

“By any measure, Gordon has been a transformational leader for Ohio State. His service to Ohio State has been superb. This man has been an inspiration to many people, including me, and we all are forever grateful for his friendship, board chairman Robert H. Schottenstein said.

Schottenstein said he met with Gee about his decision this morning.

“As we go forward, the University Board will work in close partnership with Dr. Gee and Dr. Alutto through this period to continue the tremendous success and growth we have seen under his leadership.”

Interesting point...

Gee has been atop more universities than any other individual- West Virginia, the University of Colorado, Ohio State, Brown and Vanderbilt...

Which could tell us something... or not...

More when we know more...

Ohio St Prez Takes Shots at Notre Dame, Catholics, The SEC and Louisville (UPDATED W/Audio)

Gee (in bowtie)

((ht: ap.org))

Geez E. Gordon Gee. Do you have a death wish? You do realize that a majority of what you say at an official school function or meeting more than likely is on the record?

Based on a report released today by the Associated Press, Gee obviously doesn't.

Why?

Because according to the report, at a December OSU Athletics Council meeting, Gee made jabs at Notre Dame, Catholic Priests, The SEC and The University of Louisville.

Gee apparently said Notre Dame wasn't invited to join the Big 10 because "those damn Catholics can't be trusted". He also dropped such classic lines about schools like Louisville who he doesn't consider in the same academic ballpark saying; "So you won't see us adding Louisville" and questioning the academic integrity of pretty much anyone in the SEC adding; "You tell the SEC when they can learn to read and write, then they can figure out what we're doing".

Read the whole story from the AP website RIGHT HERE

Geez, what a smug, arrogant, dumbass prick.

Oh sorry, we just took a shot at Gee.

Why would you say stuff like this in a somewhat public forum? Whether you think it or not is pretty irrelevant. You can't say it. Unless you are alone in your office with a friend you know won't repeat it. Or dictate it for public record.

Did Dr. Gee not learn from his "Little Sisters of the Poor" comment a couple of years ago? For those unaware--Gee made the reference in response to criticism his Buckeyes played a better schedule than other teams.

Allegedly he is getting a "remediation" plan (whatever that means) because of the remarks. We, and pretty much anyone else would argue the remarks are a pattern rather than an isolated behavior. Sure, Ohio State is considered an "Elite" BCS team. But they've hardly the track record to be talking smack about the SEC, Louisville or in any instance making Catholic Priest jokes.

                                                               

FRIDAY UPDATE: Here are his remarks in full... it's a fun listen...
((HT: SI.com))

tOSU Says Their Peace In Indy, Forfeits Their Piece From New Orleans

((HT: WBNS-TV Columbus))

Ohio State University officials and former coach Jim Tressel appeared before an NCAA infractions committee for about four hours in Indianapolis, getting the third degree from the Committee on Infractions and defending their life in and around the Tattoo Six...

It'll take about another 8 to 12 weeks for any word to trickle out one way or the other on any kind of punishment. If more charges come to the surface, another meeting could be called by the CoI, but for every subsequent meeting it'll take another 8 to 12 weeks for another judgment to come down from the mountain...

Oh, and Terrelle Pryor testifying...???
tOSU doesn't want that...

Here's AD Gene Smith talking about the day and giving up the one piece of news on the day- the fact that the Buckeyes gave up their Sugar Bowl share...


Why he and Gordon Gee are still employed are anyone's guess...