Character & Integrity

Those that follow American college football likely know that Jim Tressel, Ohio State’s football coach, resigned today.

Of course the rest of the college football world (especially Michigan fans who haven’t seen their Wolverines beat a Tressel lead team in 2,746 days… and counting) are leaping for joy since – much like the New York Yankees – you either love Ohio State or you hate Ohio State. There really is no in between.

With this said, I’ve spent some time contemplating how something like this happens. If you want to read all the juicy details about the situation just visit any major sports website as they are ALL covering it

But, in the end, it boiled down to one thing – Coach Tressel made some very bad choices which involved lying and failing to follow the rules the NCAA and Ohio State set in place. Obviously, many players (perhaps more than is even being reported as of right now) also made serious mistakes that started this mess.

To be sure, being the head coach at Ohio State puts you under more of a microscope than most of us can possibly fathom. But I really believe with all my heart that nothing is more important than acting with honesty and integrity each and every day we’re on this earth. Your job – no matter if you are head coach at Ohio State or a shop floor worker in a factory – really doesn’t matter. You see we’re all ultimately accountable for our actions in this life and the next.

So, while we lean and six sigma practitioners spend lots of time talking about continuous improvement tools and techniques and even a fair amount of time on the softer side of things such as respecting people… we must never forget that no lasting good will ever come from dishonesty and rule breaking no matter how we attempt to rationalize the situation.

Erin Brooks
May 30, 2011 - 9:22 pm
Reply

I am also an OSU fan and am very sad to see this all happen. To whom much is given, much is expected and while I am 100% sure this type of thing happens at other schools it should never have happened under Tress’s watch.
Rick Foreman
May 31, 2011 - 6:26 am
Reply

Growing up as an Oklahoma Sooner fan during the Switzer years, I understand the pain. Even in the Stoops era, things have not been rosy. It seems to be even more so in today’s society that we can get blinded by a sense of “what about me” and “self-entitlement” regardless of position. There is certainly a harvest for our actions whether we admit to mistakes or not. I’ve spoken on the campus at Ohio State and the love for the Buckeyes reigns supreme. It is a disappointing situation and one that can be related to by many. We’re all faced with making sure our passions do not override the core values of integrity. The good part lies in the fact that grace leads to restoration when we come with humility.

Ron Pereira
May 31, 2011 - 7:25 am

Amen, Rick! The amazing thing is how the sun came up today (even in Ohio). God is good…

Steve Brewster
May 31, 2011 - 7:46 am
Reply

I can’t stand Ohio State as I am MSU fan but I refuse to pile on like the rest of the conference is. I am sure there will be many more cases like this brought to light in the coming years because there is no way Ohio State is alone when it comes to bad stuff like this.
Louise A. Williams
May 31, 2011 - 10:14 am
Reply

Well said. It is sad that someone of this stature has to be the one to open the eyes of many…but I am glad that it is happening. Not that he is let go, but that he is let go for not being ethical and operating without integrity. Maybe more people in this world will now start living their lives, both personal and business, with the highest of integrity and ethics.
Michael Lombard
June 2, 2011 - 10:03 am
Reply

Not to excuse Mr. Tressel’s unethical behavior at all, but the ridiculous expectations that are placed on football coaches is absurd. Bottom-line, he should have been ethical, and expectations should be more level. I mean, we can’t expect OSU to compete with SEC schools. That’s just silly.

All kidding aside, though, it’s sad that this type of rulebreaking is probably happening everyday at every major sports program.
Jerry Wqtaon
December 29, 2011 - 9:09 am
Reply

As the golden rule says, he who has the gold makes the rules. Unfortunately for the person who gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar, there is someone or something else who has more gold. As an old fart, 66, I have seen more of this than I thought I would ever see. As a first lt in Vietnam, I brought charges against an E6 who was skimming food from the rations provided the mess hall and selling it ton the black market. He bet his career and future on several hundred dollars a month and lost as do most who act in this manner. Unfortunaly this act is the tip of the iceberg. My purpose is not to mention examples since there are simply too many.
My point is that I am not sure if this degree of modifying the truth is worse today or just more publicised. I am glad that I this age since I am getting tired of these type of incidences. As the news anchor stated in the movie network, I am tired as hell and cannot take it any longer.