MONROE - Recruiting so called blue-chip players in any sport can bring success and challenges.
University of Wisconsin coaches - in Monroe for the 58th annual Badger Days banquet and Sports Preview dinner Tuesday - are not relishing Ohio State's scandal, in which six players allegedly traded sports memorabilia for tattoos or cash. The scandal was a black eye for college football and has included the resignation of Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel and quarterback Terrelle Pryor's decision to forgo his senior season. Pryor allegedly traded autographs for tattoos and cash.
"It's unfortunate that popped up," University of Wisconsin head football coach Bret Bielema said. "As far as Ohio State, that is their problems and worries."
Ohio State officials on Tuesday said they were going to drop their investigation that several players received improper discounts on cars from various dealerships in Columbus, Ohio. Two Columbus-area dealerships made money on 24 of 25 sales made to Ohio State football players and family members.
In a 65-page report issued Tuesday, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles said the certificates of titles for 25 vehicle sales by Jack Maxton Chevrolet and Auto Direct to Ohio State players and their families accurately reflected the vehicles' sales prices.
Bielema said the key is educating student athletes about possible NCAA infractions.
"The focus is on educating our kids as to what you can do," Bielema said. "We try to focus on recruiting kids who will be a good fit."
Bielema said he receives confirmation for each player who has a car to ensure it is registered on campus.
UW men's basketball coach Bo Ryan said sometimes young men make mistakes.
"That's not my issue," Ryan said of the Ohio State scandal. "We do what everyone else does. We are not above any other school."
In Tressel's 10-year coaching career at Ohio State, he led the Buckeyes to three BCS National Championship games, a national championship in 2002 and a 9-1 record against Michigan. After months of turmoil during which Tressel claimed he was unaware of violations with the program, he then acknowledged that he knew about them earlier, but didn't report them to the NCAA.
Tressel and the six Ohio State players who traded sports memorabilia for tattoos or cash were given five game suspensions at the start of the 2011 season. Pryor hired Drew Rosenhaus as his agent and is preparing for an NFL supplemental draft.
University of Wisconsin coaches - in Monroe for the 58th annual Badger Days banquet and Sports Preview dinner Tuesday - are not relishing Ohio State's scandal, in which six players allegedly traded sports memorabilia for tattoos or cash. The scandal was a black eye for college football and has included the resignation of Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel and quarterback Terrelle Pryor's decision to forgo his senior season. Pryor allegedly traded autographs for tattoos and cash.
"It's unfortunate that popped up," University of Wisconsin head football coach Bret Bielema said. "As far as Ohio State, that is their problems and worries."
Ohio State officials on Tuesday said they were going to drop their investigation that several players received improper discounts on cars from various dealerships in Columbus, Ohio. Two Columbus-area dealerships made money on 24 of 25 sales made to Ohio State football players and family members.
In a 65-page report issued Tuesday, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles said the certificates of titles for 25 vehicle sales by Jack Maxton Chevrolet and Auto Direct to Ohio State players and their families accurately reflected the vehicles' sales prices.
Bielema said the key is educating student athletes about possible NCAA infractions.
"The focus is on educating our kids as to what you can do," Bielema said. "We try to focus on recruiting kids who will be a good fit."
Bielema said he receives confirmation for each player who has a car to ensure it is registered on campus.
UW men's basketball coach Bo Ryan said sometimes young men make mistakes.
"That's not my issue," Ryan said of the Ohio State scandal. "We do what everyone else does. We are not above any other school."
In Tressel's 10-year coaching career at Ohio State, he led the Buckeyes to three BCS National Championship games, a national championship in 2002 and a 9-1 record against Michigan. After months of turmoil during which Tressel claimed he was unaware of violations with the program, he then acknowledged that he knew about them earlier, but didn't report them to the NCAA.
Tressel and the six Ohio State players who traded sports memorabilia for tattoos or cash were given five game suspensions at the start of the 2011 season. Pryor hired Drew Rosenhaus as his agent and is preparing for an NFL supplemental draft.
