By Andrew Kulha Posted on May 30, 2016 Sometimes you have to dig really hard to find the good stories in sports, but Urban Meyer is providing a feel-good moment for college football fans across the country — and it’s happening at one of the most prominent college football schools in the nation: Ohio State. It’s been a ridiculous few weeks for college football, and a hard few weeks if you have a rooting interest in seeing these players, schools and ultimately the sport of college football succeed. And sure, the NCAA and college football will always succeed in a way financially, but there’s a difference between financially figuring it out — the big business side of college football — and actually living up to what the NCAA says are its core values. Two to keep in mind in this era of big business CFB: The collegiate model of athletics in which students participate as an avocation, balancing their academic, social and athletics experiences. The supporting role that intercollegiate athletics plays in the higher education mission and in enhancing the sense of community and strengthening the identity of member institutions. Meyer is not the perfect college football coach as far as perception is concerned — just ask Florida fans mad at his faux-retirement or Big Ten coaches who were miffed by his aggressive style of recruiting — but its hard to read the latest news on OSU football from Austin Ward of ESPN and not come away thinking that Meyer just may have it right this time. In a college football coaching world that constantly find itself under fire — and often many times for good reason — Meyer is giving his players a greater understanding of the United States and all that goes into not only protecting our freedom, but maintaining and organizing it. Ward tells a story of Ohio State’s “Patriot Week.” He tells a story of a team room redecorated with military flags and, of course, the stars and stripes. The red, white (and yes) blue. He tells a story of a coach who understands the political nature of living in the United States — and Ohio — in 2016, and the story of a coach who’s equipping his players to not only find success on the field — Meyer is 50-4 in his four seasons so far at Ohio State — but giving them a greater respect and understanding for this crazy life outside of football. Here’s an excerpt from Ward’s feature. “I’ve been mesmerized by this election coming up,” Meyer said as he kicked off the first of four lecture sessions building toward Memorial Day weekend. …
Continue Reading: Urban Meyer gets it right with ‘Patriot Week’ at OSU
