TRIPLE P
December 22nd, 2006, 10:59:04 AM
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2704947
When you're in charge of nearly $100 million worth of college athletics and 36 varsity teams, the time to savor your accomplishments can be fleeting.
When Ohio State AD Gene Smith needs to feel the joy of the job, he goes to watch his teams play.
"I enjoy competition; that's where I came from," said Smith, a former defensive end at Notre Dame. "When I'm at a game, that's my time to reflect on the joys of where we are."
Heisman winner Troy Smith is just part of the Ohio State success story. Tuesday night, Smith went to see his men's basketball team play Iowa State. He watched the most talented teenage player on the planet, freshman center Greg Oden, rack up 18 points and nine rebounds. And at halftime he watched the football team's quarterback, Troy Smith, hold up the Heisman Trophy to deafening applause.
Gene Smith laughed.
"Sometimes these days I have to pinch myself."
Florida AD Jeremy Foley, custodian of a $70 million program and 478 athletes, knows the exact same feeling.
"Every once in a while you have to pinch yourself," Foley said.
There's a whole lot of pinchin' going on in Columbus, Ohio, and Gainesville, Fla., these days. Even for accomplished ADs accustomed to rampant success, the current level of bliss feels like a dream state.
All of a sudden, their programs rule the two glamour sports in college athletics.
When you're in charge of nearly $100 million worth of college athletics and 36 varsity teams, the time to savor your accomplishments can be fleeting.
When Ohio State AD Gene Smith needs to feel the joy of the job, he goes to watch his teams play.
"I enjoy competition; that's where I came from," said Smith, a former defensive end at Notre Dame. "When I'm at a game, that's my time to reflect on the joys of where we are."
Heisman winner Troy Smith is just part of the Ohio State success story. Tuesday night, Smith went to see his men's basketball team play Iowa State. He watched the most talented teenage player on the planet, freshman center Greg Oden, rack up 18 points and nine rebounds. And at halftime he watched the football team's quarterback, Troy Smith, hold up the Heisman Trophy to deafening applause.
Gene Smith laughed.
"Sometimes these days I have to pinch myself."
Florida AD Jeremy Foley, custodian of a $70 million program and 478 athletes, knows the exact same feeling.
"Every once in a while you have to pinch yourself," Foley said.
There's a whole lot of pinchin' going on in Columbus, Ohio, and Gainesville, Fla., these days. Even for accomplished ADs accustomed to rampant success, the current level of bliss feels like a dream state.
All of a sudden, their programs rule the two glamour sports in college athletics.