If you are an Ohio State fan living abroad, it appears the best chance you will get to see Urban Meyer's football team in person remains in Columbus, Ohio or wherever the Buckeyes play their road games.
At Big Ten meetings in Chicago on Monday, Ohio State Vice President and Director of Athletics Gene Smith said the Buckeyes "won't be making any trips overseas," according to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. Michigan and Jim Harbaugh spent a week a Rome last month sightseeing, checking in with the Pope at the Vatican and even holding three practices to close out spring drills. He wants to take the Wolverines to Brazil or South Africa in the future too.
Smith isn't into that. From Rittenberg:
Ohio State AD Gene Smith on Michigan's Rome trip: "Great trip. Tuscany's one of my favorite vacation places. That's where I go." Smith added that Ohio State won't be making overseas trips but understands programs have to be creative with their approaches these days.
The College Commissioners Association also approved an early signing period for college football last week. The 72-hour early signing period opens on Dec. 20, 2017.
To no surprise, Smith, like his head football coach, Urban Meyer, opposes the ruling.
From Rittenberg:
Ohio State AD Gene Smith opposed the early signing period in football and explains why here. pic.twitter.com/4Ja0lYzZku
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) May 15, 2017
Meyer has not been available to the media since the early signing period rule change was announced a week ago. But he has made it known for a while how much he is against it.
