By Adam Kiefaber
The new president of the Ohio State University has some Buckeye fans worried. Actually he isn’t officially the president yet, but Ohio State’s trustees are expected to approve Gee’s hiring today.
As chancellor at Vanderbilt, E. Gordon Gee thought that the time has come to an end on the way that athletic departments 
separate themselves from the rest of the university. He got rid of the athletic department and turned it over to the Office of Student Athletics, Recreation and Wellness. That meant that the same department controlling your flag football schedule was in charge of your school’s football team.
However, Vandy is a private school with 6,319 undergraduates, while Ohio State has 45,417 undergrads enrolled at the university.
According to The Dayton Daily News, the Vanderbilt football team earned $15.1 million during the 2005-06 academic year as part of a $40.4 million budget. On the other hand, OSU earned $60.7 million on football during the same period and took in $104.7 million in revenue overall.
Obviously, the schools are in different positions regarding their athletic programs. Also, Gee did not abolish the athletic department during his first stint as OSU president. Gee’s previous term at Ohio State lasted from 1990 to 1997. Or better known to football fans as the John Cooper years.
Some of the rememberable losses to Michigan took place in 1993, 1995 and 1996. Cooper coached the Buckeyes from ‘88 to ‘00 and compiled a record of 2-10-1 against the Wolverines. In ‘92, after Cooper had lost four straight to Michigan, Ohio State tied their rivals. Gee said of the game that it was, “one of our greatest wins.”
The situation at OSU is much different than it is at Vanderbilt, so I don’t think the athletic department will change. Also, the fact that Gee is a big OSU sports’ fan and extremely hungry for a win against Michigan should mean that the Buckeyes sports’ programs will remain bigger than ever.
However, if you want a good scare take a look at Gee Gets Rid of Athletics Department at Vanderbilt
The article goes in to detail about Gee’s abolishment of Vandy’s Athletic Department.
1 comment so far ↓
Worried, who me worry? I think Gee will do great things for Ohio State. Other than that the mistake of not firing Cooper, he was a great president back in the 90s.
He also has two good coaches in Tressel and Matta that hold a lot of the same values when it comes to student athletes.
As for Vanderbilt, you can’t say he didn’t do good things for their athletic dept. either, be it radical. Their academics went up and the school seems to hold their own against some big boys down there in the SEC.
Also, thanks for the link. I am just starting to bring the site back online. I needed a well deserved break after two big seasons last year. I will be sure to get your link up as I update the site.
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