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Everybody Is Important Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel by Michael Daniels
“What we have, quite often, with our athletes, and with a number of young people in any February 2010 – He’s just led the OSU footsport, is that from the time they were 6 or 7 ball team to a Rose Bowl victory, but there’s years old, their identity has been through no rest for head coach Jim Tressel. During the sports,” Coach says. “You’re the tallest, week he’s off visiting recruits at their homes you’re the fastest, you’re the best player. All and in their towns. On the weekends he’s their feedback has come in terms of their role hosting them at Ohio State, working to build as a player, and they are often hesitant to go the best possible incoming freshman class beyond that narrow role.” for the fall of 2010. “An opportunity, and a real challenge, we Yet in the midst of this hectic – some might have when they come to college is to get say insane – schedule, Tressel took time to them to see themselves with a broader lens. share his thoughts, insights and philosophies What are their interests? What are their on student-athletes, diversity and what being dreams? What are the principles they believe a winner really means. in? We want our guys to define themselves in terms of ‘who they are’ and not simply ‘what I begin by thanking the coach for this historic they do’ with a certain block of their time. The interview. As best I can tell, this is the first greatest achievement we can have as time that a Division I NCAA head football coaches is that a young man leaves us with a coach has done a one-on-one with a GLBT concept of who he is, what he wants from life, publication, and I’m humbled and honored and what he can share with others – somethat OSU, Tressel and outlook share this dis- one who is ‘comfortable in his own skin,’ and tinction. that identity can go in a number of directions.” What’s the best part of his job? I want to know. What’s the best part of being at OSU, of But what if a player on the OSU football team being in Columbus? were to come out as gay, I want to know. What advice would Tressel offer him? Would the “Watching kids grow into whole people,” Tres- team, fans and University be supportive? sel says. “The most unique thing [about being at OSU,]” he adds, “Is how much the “We strive to teach and model appreciation people who have attended Ohio State love for everyone,” Tressel says. “One, we are a their school, perhaps more than any other family. If you haven’t learned from your family place I’ve come across. That enthusiasm ap- at home that people have differences and peals to such a wide range of interests and those strengthen the whole, then you are cuts across all age groups. Columbus is a hopefully going to learn it as part of the Ohio world-class city with small-town friendliness State football family.” and accessibility. People are interested in people here. That comes through every time “Two, every part of our team is important and new recruits and their parents first take a every role has value – no job is too small and look at our city.” no person is irrelevant – that’s a great lesson that transcends into society. When I think of When reading Tressel’s book, The Winners the diversity we’ve had on our team the past Manual, I was profoundly impacted by his few years, it goes way beyond just a racial, discussion of the difference between purpose sexual or ethnic mix. We’ve had players who and goals - purpose being who you are, goals had different religions, players who came being what you do. Tressel also discusses the from different economic backgrounds, players difference and importance of faith and belief. who are parents, who are spouses, who are “Faith is who you are,” he writes. “Belief is caring for ailing parents, who are wheelchair what you do with your faith.” Throughout the bound, who are battling cancer, and on and book, he emphasizes tolerance, understand- on. Whatever a young man feels called to exing, compassion and love - especially for press, I hope we will help him do it in a supthose who are on a different path of purpose portive environment. Everybody is important, or faith. I ask him how these principles be and maturity is learning to find and apprecican applied to understanding people of other ate those differences in others.” races, genders or sexual orientations. If Tressel could impart one, and only one, win“We try to tell our guys that an authentic you ning concept to his GLBT students, alumni, is the best you,” Tressel says. “That’s truly faculty and fans, I ask, what would that be? what freedom means, and the beauty of living in America. People can live their beliefs.” “If we appreciate each other,” he says, “Then we have a chance for something great.” I mention to Coach that it’s becoming slightly more common to see professional athletes Thank you, Coach Tressel, for your time, your come out as gay or lesbian after they retire, dedication to all student-athletes, your servbut it remains rare for active athletes to come ice to our community and your commitment out, and nearly unheard of for collegiate ath- to excellence for all of Columbus. letes to do so. I ask him why he believes this is so. GO BUCKS!
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mar 2010
All active, dues-paying members of the OSU Alumni Association as of March 1 are eligible to apply for the 2010 football ticket lottery. Did you make deadline? outlookcolumbus.com