The Lantern — January 25, 2024

www.thelantern.com

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Age is just a number: Non-traditional students in higher education

By Saima Khan LTV Special Projects Producer

I

n a world that often associates education with youth, there is a rising number of older adults embarking on educational avenues

later in life. These individuals are breaking stereotypes by mastering new skills and pursuing degrees.

This short documentary, “Age is Just a Number,” investigates this trend and explores the inspiring stories of these older adults.

SCAN HERE TO WATCH

ABBY FRICKE | MANAGING EDITOR FOR DESIGN

CAMPUS

ON PAGE 3 Hear what university President Ted Carter Jr. has to say about the controversy surrounding Les Wexner

Revitalizing excellence: Interfraternity Council revamps educational presentations

By Brooke Tacsar Lantern Reporter

O

hio State’s Interfraternity Council is spearheading the transformation of its educational program topics under Greek Life’s standards of excellence to focus more on men’s health and wellness.

The council’s standards of excellence initiative — a program established in 2001 to improve Greek Life’s development and growth — will be altered to include presentations on more complex topics like male privilege, Mitch Howard, the Interfraternity Council’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion, said.

“Previously, those sessions were kind of base level [and] not very engaging,” Howard said. “A lot of the content was specific to general [topics like] drinking less or liquor hazing.”

Under the standards of excellence, 85% of every chapter must attend at least one program for each of the three goal categories: member de-

velopment, inclusive excellence and harm reduction, according to Sorority and Fraternity Life’s website.

Attending multiple programs that fall under the same goal category can be combined for a chapter’s total 85% required attendance, or a chapter can design its own program about a specific topic for its members.

Howard said he is working with Kim Monteaux De Freitas, director of Sorority and Fraternity Life, to develop a new standard for presentations, independent of the standards of excellence’s three goal categories, but following its purpose and intent of improving Greek Life.

“We’re focusing on mental health, particularly men’s mental health, and that intersection between manhood and toxic masculinity,” Howard said.

Howard said these presentations formerly focused on topics of hazing, leadership and sexual misconduct.

This year, Howard said he plans to remodel these sessions to explore more progressive and intricate topics that additionally focus on cultural competency, sexual wellness and body dysmorphic disorders commonly faced by men such as bigorexia – a fixation on muscle mass.

“All of these subjects are in some way, shape or form correlated, and we want to bring them more to the forefront,” Howard said.

Hunter Hartwig, Sorority and Fraternity Life’s associate director of council leadership and primary advisor for the Interfraternity Council, said he feels this initiative taken by Howard will help the council’s associated fraternity members thrive in social awareness and education.

“That kind of education, I think, is imperative to the success of our organi-

zations, especially as the populations of students continue to diversify,” Hartwig said. “Fraternities have to be educated and ready to support those students once they become members as well.”

The council will work with the Student Wellness Center to bring sexual wellness, health and awareness to these presentations, primarily focusing on the available resources provided to students through the center like HIV testing and condoms.

“That’s not something a lot of us knew in Greek Life or in general,” Howard said.

“It’s going to be a collaboration with the Student Wellness Center to kind of shine a brighter light [and] give more attention to their harm reduction resources.”

Howard said there is a lot of content to be explored beyond the three traditional categories of the standards of excellence initiatives, specifically with diversity and equity programming.

“The DEI relevancy hasn’t exactly been there, so we’re working with Dr. Kim to be more specific to those and ideally, there will be more than three [categories] once we’ve cleaned out the content and pushed out the message a little bit,” Howard said.

BROOKE TACSAR | LANTERN REPORTER

Delta Tau Delta, located at 67 E. 15th Ave., is one of 29 university-affiliated social fraternities governed by IFC.

thelantern.com

@TheLantern

Thursday, January 25, 2024 | The Lantern | 3

A Q&A with university President Ted Carter Jr. The Lantern sat down with university President Ted Carter Jr. to discuss Ohio State’s biggest challenges, the controversy surrounding Les Wexner, accessibility and affordability goals, Ross Bjork’s recent appointment and more.

By Arianna Smith, Kate Shields & Nicole Nowicki Lantern Editors

have other goals of making Ohio State more affordable and attainable for students who may not be able to afford to come here?

Q: What would you say are the biggest challenges facing the university as of today?

I believe affordability and accessibility should be our North Star. The cost of education has gone up significantly over the last 10 to 15 years. I’m very, very sympathetic to that for students. I know that can be a challenge.

I like to make sure I understand all the scholarship and needs-based programs that we have here. The Scarlet and Gray Advantage that you just described, I’ve looked into it just a little.

I think it’s still in its early stages. I support the concept. I did something very similar in Nebraska with the Promise

Well, obviously, how we are feeling, the sense on campus with some of the global events that are happening that are really conversations. Obviously, as someone who’s been around the world a number of times, been involved in friction points around the world, it’s always tough, especially if you have a personal connection — whether it be a family member or somebody you know — for events that are going on in Israel with Hamas, or even in Ukraine, and there are other events happening around the world.

And I know that our faculty and our students feel that and they want to be able to have an open conversation about that.

So I have already spent some time and gotten in front of some of those students — Hillel, Chabad, Students for Justice in Palestine. I wanted to go in there and hear their concerns and be empathetic and also make sure they know that they do have a voice and their voice can be heard.

But we also have to understand that keeping the temperature down [is important] so it doesn’t look like one group is pitting itself against one another — it’s not helpful on this campus because my goal is to keep our campus safe and secure. That’s one of our top priorities.

were performing at or better than all of the non-promise programs, which is again the statement that, given an opportunity for those that are inspired, they’re going to do well. And they were.

So I’ll continue to take that mindset here and look at how we can best support those that may not have the same background and resources as everybody else. Reducing student debt is more than just getting it down to $0.

It costs more now to attend university than it costs for just the tuition.

So there’s the cost of education part, and there’s the cost of total attendance, and the cost of total attendance is what’s been rising the price tag up today in most public universities, and I’m sure it’s the same here. I know it

The second is that I know what has been written up in the media no differently than anybody else, and I don’t know anything more. But for those that are worried about this, the word I would use is patience. Let the facts play out.

As you pointed out, there have been some more things that have shown up but I don’t know anything really new — I mean, it’s well-known that they had a business relationship. And Mr. Wexner has been very clear that when he had any inkling of inappropriate business things happening, let alone anything else, they cut ties. So I think patience is the right word, and again, I don’t know anything more than what’s been written up and the same things you’ve read.

“I believe affordability and accessibility should be our North Star.” -Ted Carter Jr.

Q: During your time at Nebraska, something you worked on a lot was making it more affordable for students, and it kind of mirrored the Scarlet and Gray Initiative that President Johnson used to have. Are you hoping to continue that legacy or do you

program. I noticed Columbus State has a program almost exactly the same, so I was really heartened to see that.

The whole impetus behind creating that was, as we were going into a global pandemic, I said, “We have wonderful merit-based scholarship programs in Nebraska. What are we doing for Pell-eligible students or those students that are somewhere in between Pell and other qualifications?” And we didn’t really have a program. And the beauty of that program is we created it and did not take it from taxpayer money.

We actually cut our budget $5 million for the initial offering and paid for it out of our own budget. I cut my own personal staff by 25% to help pay for that. And I’m really proud of what we did. It started out with the 7,000 students that applied in six weeks, and by the time I left, we had over 18,000 students that have gone through that Nebraska Promise program. And what’s interesting is they

was in Nebraska. Almost two-thirds of the total cost of attendance was living, eating, driving, parking, books — all the rest compared to just the tuition fees. And I froze tuition for two years.

Q: More information has come to light with Les Wexner’s affiliation with Epstein and — with someone who’s such a big donor to the university and much of campus is named after him — many are concerned with the connection between the university and Wexner. How will the university respond to those concerns in light of recent events?

The first thing we should acknowledge is that the Wexners, both Les and Abigail, have been incredibly generous to this university, almost like nobody else in our history. We should be very thankful to them and their family for that kind of generosity.

Q: I wanted to know a little bit more about why Ross Bjork was the chosen athletic director, and what made him stand out against other candidates.

Well, the first thing people should know is we had a wonderful range of candidates that wanted to come to this job. The second thing that’s really important is there isn’t any replacing Gene Smith, and I’ve said that publicly. Nineteen years in that kind of job anywhere in the country, not to mention that he’s leading the highest revenue, 36 D1 sport program in the country — It’s extraordinary. I mean, there isn’t a Hall of Fame ballot big enough to put Gene Smith in.

So we knew we couldn’t exactly replace Gene, but as I said at the press conference, I was looking for somebody that, first of all, was coming from a major program already. This was not a job that you could come in and learn. You had to be ready for it. So I was looking for somebody that could come in and lead a very large, complex 36 D1 program right out of the gate.

ARTS&LIFE

ON PAGE 5 Read more about two-time Grammy-winning folk band Old Crow Medicine Show and its upcoming Columbus concert

Famed magician Richard Turner to give careerconcluding performance at this year’s Magifest said. “It is kind of thrilling when people ask me stories about things. I have done things that 99.9% of people in the world will never have the opporolumbus may be known for tunity to do, and I have met some of Ohio State football and modthe most amazing people in the world.” ernist architecture, but a select Turner lost his sense of sight when he community knows its other reason was 9 years old, but he said he has not for renown: it’s home to the oldest allowed that to hold him back. On top magic convention in the country. of a fruitful career in magic, Turner is Magifest — presented by global maga sixth-degree black belt in karate and ic store Vanishing Inc. — will return for partakes in many thrill-seeking activits 93rd consecutive year in Columbus ities like cliff Thursday through Sunday, according diving and to the company’s website. The threeshark huntday event will be hosted at the Reing, he said. naissance Downtown Columbus Hotel “Some peoand feature a panel of performers ple see [my encompassloss of sight] as a liability, but it turned out to be my greatest asset,” Turner said. “I do have a touch and that has allowed me to do things with cards that other people thought were not possible to do.”

T u r n er will be COURTESY OF JOSIAH SANDERS joined by Magician Richard Turner performs at The Magic several fanCastle, a clubhouse catered to magic fanatics. tastical performers at this year’s been on stage convention, including mentalist JaER N R TU HARD SY OF RIC COURTE for 52 years son Suran, globally respected juggler n o n Ver with Dai now. That is Alexander Koblikov and other world r (right) ntury e e n c r u th T 0 d own 2 ichar n R .

-k n shocking to champions in various magic and tal2 ll ia 8 e 9 ic w 1 g t os Ma r, in e of the m er’s card mento me.”

Turner ent shows, co-founder of Vanishn (left), on r Tu

By Logan Nowlin Senior Lantern Reporter

C

s and

magician

ing a vast array of disciplines, headlined by guest of honor Richard Turner.

For Turner, Magifest 2024 is a farewell performance to cap off a career spanning over five decades. Turner, who lost his eyesight as a child due to retina degeneration disease, is widely regarded as one of the best close-up magicians in the world and has entertained the likes of Muhammad Ali, Brad Pitt, Colin Powell and Johnny Carson.

“I think about the fact that I have

ing Inc. Joshua Jay said in an email.

Unlike some conventions at which large crowds can hinder attendees’ ability to enjoy the event, Vanishing Inc. is limiting the number of total tickets sold to only 1,000 to prevent these problems, Jay, also an Ohio State alum, said.

Tickets for the three-day event start at $350 and, for the first time in Magifest history, exclusive VIP tickets with special perks will be available for $550. In addition to priority seating, these VIP tickets grant holders entry to private workshops that allow aspiring magicians to learn from professionals Art Benjamin and Dan Harlan, according to Vanishing Inc.’s website.

“This is the closest you will ever get to a private lesson,” the website states.

Though anyone can attend and enjoy Magifest’s performances, Jay said the convention typically attracts amateur magicians due to its ample workshop opportunities.

“We have a youth scholarship so that anyone under 18 can apply to attend for free, and we welcome magicians from all over the world,” Jay said. “Beginners are entirely welcome.

Absolutely no experience is required.”

Besides performances, speakers and workshops, the website states that Magifest will host the largest Dealer’s Room of any magic convention in America, where vendors set up booths to sell magic-related items such as books, tricks and cards. Attendees will be able to get their hands on unreleased books, new tricks and other magic-related items.

Turner said he looks forward to captivating a crowd of magic-lovers one last time.

“This is my farewell, full-going-out performance, and I know there is going to be a lot of amazing magicians there, so that will be fun as well,” Turner said.

thelantern.com

@TheLantern

Thursday, January 25, 2024 | The Lantern | 5

Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show discusses ‘Jubilee’ album and Columbus show

By Rachael Forsythe Lantern Reporter

T

wo-time Grammy Award-winning group Old Crow Medicine Show will perform at KEMBA Live! Thursday.

The seven-person string band’s August 2023 record “Jubilee” is nominated for Best Folk Album at this year’s Grammy Awards, Bryan Ros, a Missing Piece Group publicist who represents Old Crow Medicine Show, said in an email.

“The new album is a wildly expansive body of work showcasing the dazzling musicality and poetic yet powerful storytelling that has made Old Crow Medicine Show one of the most potent and influential forces in American roots music for more than two decades,” Ros said.

According to a Nov. 10, 2023, press release, “Jubilee” — a follow-up to the band’s 2022 album, titled “Paint This Town” — was co-produced with Matt Ross-Spang and features guest artists like Mavis Staples, Sierra Ferrell and Willie Watson.

Ketch Secor, Old Crow Medicine’s frontman as well as a multi-instrumentalist, said “Ju-

bilee” tries to capture the ups and downs of ordinary American life.

“This kind of work, you’re just always trying to reflect the beauty of the world around you and the hardships that people face because music is supposed to be a reflection of society,” Secor said.

Secor said the album is titled “Jubilee” for a specific reason. The word’s triumphant connotation is a testament to the band’s 25-year run.

“Our voices are jubilant at making music together and we have a really dynamic set that is always changing,” Secor said.

Most of the songwriting featured in “Jubilee” was spontaneous in nature, Secor said.

“There’s a freshness to the music that I think only comes from having your material be newly conceived of,” Secor said. “We wrote a lot of this music at 2 o’clock in the morning. Then we were making the record at 10 a.m.”

Secor said the band only slept a few hours each night while recording “Jubilee,” leading many of its songs to have a “coffee buzz” type of feel.

“I think maybe the song ‘Keel Over and Die’ might

have the most caffeine,” Secor said.

Old Crow Medicine Show aims to bring this caffeine-like, buoyant energy off the album and straight to their shows, Secor said.

“It’s a high-energy show,” Secor said.

“It really feels like a rock show, honestly, but on acoustic instruments.”

Secor said coming back to Columbus feels like a homecoming for the band’s members, as they have consistently performed in the city throughout their respective careers.

“Folks in Columbus know the Old Crow from our many years of playing everything from the Ohio Theatre to the hockey arena, local festivals in Franklin County and just us hanging out at the downtown farmer’s market,” Secor said.

Secor said one of his more meaningful Ohio-related memories is taking a hitchhiking trip to see his hospitalized grandfather in Knox County. He was about 19 years old at the time, catching rides with empathetic strangers and spending nights in various trailer parks.

S u c h nostalgia has Secor excited to return to Ohio for the band’s

upcoming show.

“I met all kinds of wonderful people who reminded me that all across the country is goodness, joy, kindness and kinship,” said Secor. “Music, like the kind we make, is just a reminder of the connective tissue that our shared ‘Americanness’ affords us all.”

Secor hopes concert attendees can take a moment to look around and realize they are surrounded by a strong community.

“As folks across Ohio look forward to the new year, I think there’s some forces at play that are going to be extremely divisive in this next year, and that’s why it’s so important to remember the power of music to bring folks together from all walks of life,” Secor said.

Notably, Secor said Thursday’s show promises a comfortably frenzied atmosphere.

“As long as you bring your dancing shoes out and get ready to have a good time, then we will be happy to be your tour guides on this wild night of joy and small amounts of debauchery,” Secor said.

Concert admission is priced at $39.50 in advance and $45 at the door, with doors opening at 7 p.m. Thursday.

M o r e information can be fou nd on the band’s website.

COURTESY OF BRYAN ROS

(left to right) Mike Harris, Mason Via, Morgan Jahnig, Cory Younts, Ketch Secor, Dante’ Pope and PJ George make up Old Crow Medicine Show.

6 | The Lantern | Thursday, January 25, 2024

thelantern.com

@TheLantern

WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY

Around the Rink: Buckeyes have ‘something to prove’

Thiele earns WCHA goaltender of the week, Buckeyes out for revenge at No. 9 St. Cloud. State.

By Reid Murray Design Editor

T

he Buckeyes’ defense is on fire.

Allowing one goal in four games against ranked teams, No. 1 Ohio State’s three defensive lines and goaltending duo seem like an immovable object.

But this Friday and Saturday, they’ll have to face the only conference opponent to beat the Buckeyes this season.

Here’s what’s happening around the rink this week.

Thiele’s shutout earns WCHA recognition Senior goaltender Amanda Thiele’s 18-save shutout against No. 7 Minnesota Duluth Saturday made her the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s Goaltender of the Week, the conference announced Monday.

The 1-0 win was Thiele’s second shutout of the season in her first start since Dec. 10, 2023. Senior goaltender Raygan Kirk also recorded a shutout against the Bulldogs in game one of the series, making 14 saves in a 3-0 win Friday.

Thiele’s goaltender of the week honor comes one week after Kirk earned the same title following a one-goal weekend at then-No. 2 Minnesota.

Graduate defenseman Cayla Barnes said the pair of goalies’ strong play has allowed Ohio State to excel in other areas.

“We play a very offensive, in-yourface type of game, and with that comes some risk,” Barnes said. “In hockey, things can turn on a dime, so having confidence that they’re going to make the saves that we need them to make is huge and allows us to play the game that we want to play.”

After the shutout, Thiele has a .909 save percentage, and 1.60 goals allowed per game in her 10 starts this season.

Looking ahead: Grudge match on Olympic ice Ohio State (20-2-0) has a near-per-

MACKENZIE SHANKLIN | LANTERN FILE PHOTO

Senior goaltender Amanda Thiele was recognized as the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s goaltender of the week after her 1-0 shutout against No. 7 Minnesota Duluth Saturday.

fect conference record of 17-1-0 so far. But the one WCHA team to defeat the Buckeyes — No. 9 St. Cloud State (15-8-1, 10-7-1 WCHA) — is Ohio State’s opponent this week.

The last time these two teams met, the Huskies won game one 2-1 on Dec. 1, 2023, before the Buckeyes split the series with a 6-2 win the following day.

Head coach Nadine Muzerall, who was not present for the game one loss for undisclosed reasons, said she noticed some weak spots in Ohio State’s performance watching the television broadcast.

“I think we were not utilizing our speed as much as we could,” Muzerall said. “We did outshoot them pretty well, but we’ve got to finish.”

The Buckeyes outshot the Huskies 47-17, but two second-period goals and

a heroic effort from goaltender Sanni Ahola — whom Muzerall called “one of the best in the country” — handed Ohio State its second loss of the season.

Barnes said the Buckeyes are aware of where things went wrong in December and will look to rectify their past shortcomings on the road.

“They’re physical, they’re gritty, they capitalize on their opportunities, and we didn’t in that game,” Barnes said.

“This weekend, we feel like we have something to prove. I give them a lot of credit, they played us really well and they deserved that win. We’ve grown and matured a lot as a team, and putting that forward on the ice and seeing what we can produce I think will be a really big test this weekend.”

This weekend’s series has one notable abnormality: the playing surface.

St. Cloud State’s Herb Brooks National Hockey Center uses a 100-foot-wide, Olympic-sized ice sheet instead of the 85-foot-wide, NHL-sized sheet that can be found at most NCAA hockey arenas, including the Ohio State Ice Rink.

Barnes said the Buckeyes have been preparing for the Olympic sheet, and the wider dimensions should play to Ohio State’s strengths. “[Muzerall] always talks about how our superpower is speed, and I think that that will fend really well on the big ice,” Barnes said. “There’s a lot of room, there’s a lot of extra ice to be able to take space and use our speed. One thing that we’re gonna really focus on this weekend is just utilizing that extra space to kind of get things going, move up the ice quick and find openings.”

thelantern.com

@TheLantern

Thursday, January 25, 2024 | The Lantern | 7

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Ohio State-Iowa reaches 14-year viewership high

By Ellen Geyer Senior Lantern Reporter

A

pproximately 3.9 million eyes were on the Ohio State women’s basketball team Sunday as lead scorers Cotie McMahon and Jacy Sheldon led the Buckeyes to an 8-point overtime victory over Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The clash of these Big Ten titans was the most-watched regular season game of women’s collegiate basketball in the past 14 years, averaging 1.93 million viewers across five heart-stopping periods of play.

It was a battle from the opening tip, the first quarter marked by

five ties and three lead changes.

Ohio State led 29-27 early in the second, but couldn’t win the advantage back again until 3:44 remained in the fourth. A Celeste Taylor layup capped an incredible 19-6 run that brought the Buckeyes back in front, 77-76.

The end of regulation flipped the script, and Ohio State never trailed during the five-minute overtime period, winning 100-92 over then-No. 2 Iowa.

McMahon led the scoring with a career-high 33 points to go with 12 rebounds and a pair of blocks. Sheldon had 24 of her own, playing ev-

ery second of the 45-minute match, and each of Ohio State’s starting five ended the night in double-figures.

The Hawkeyes went down swinging under Clark’s 45-point performance, but the reigning National Player of the Year’s efforts were not enough to overcome the Buckeyes’ late surge.

Ohio State will ride their five-game win streak to Champaign, Illinois, where they face another conference foe in Illinois at 7 p.m., Thursday night.

Clark and her Hawkeyes will have another chance at the Buckeyes on March 3, hosting a rematch that will conclude

CALEB BLAKE | PHOTO EDITOR

Then-No. 18 Ohio State took down then-No. 2 Iowa at Value City Arena Sunday. The game averaged 1.93 million television viewers, peaking at 3.9 million.

the regular season for both teams.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 Due to his football program’s struggles and 6-4 start to the season at the time of his firing, Bjork made the imate decision to relieve Fisher of his duties, generating the most expensive buyout of a coach in the history of college athletics at $77.6 million, or $7.2 million per year, according to ESPN. Ohio State President Ted Carter Jr. backed Bjork at their press conference Jan. 17 following the announcement of his hiring.

“I pressed that question pretty hard, I had a lot of questions about that,” Carter said. “Ross has owned it — as has the [A&M] institution. Remember, these things just don’t happen in a vacuum. Even though he is the athletics director, he wasn’t the original hiring authority. Yes, he did give an extension, that happens a lot.”

Two weeks after Fisher was fired, Mark Stoops — head coach of Kentucky — was supposed to succeed him, but instead, posted on X, formerly Twitter, around 1 a.m. Nov. 26, 2023, that he no longer planned on leaving the Wildcats, undermining Bjork’s authority and doing so out in the open.

According to the Texas Tribune, just one day later, the Aggies hired former Duke head coach Mike Elko on a six-year, annual base salary of a $7 million contract.

Meanwhile, Ohio State was looking for its own person. In turn, Bjork upgraded for a third time.

According to Ohio State’s annual fiscal report, which was released Tuesday, the athletic department’s revenue increased 11% from 2021-22 to 202223. Last year, its total of $251.6 million — which was No. 1 in the NCAA — was outshined by 2023’s $279.5 million.

Some sort of trouble seems to follow Bjork wherever he goes, but with Ohio State’s reputation and immense revenue generation, his faults will be tested come July 1.

SPORTS

ON PAGE 7 Women’s basketball viewership reaches new heights in home matchup against Iowa

What you need to know about Bjork’s rocky past

By Lauryn Luderman Sports Editor

R

oss Bjork, who will succeed Gene Smith as Ohio State’s next athletic director come July 1, has been involved in more than academic success, fundraising and stadium construction.

Try recruiting scandals, ill-informed contract extensions and a “lack of institutional control.”

This doesn’t mean he won’t advance Ohio State athletics over his time in Columbus, but it should be said that the Buckeye program is one of the top in the country, and following Smith will be no small task.

Bjork’s hire became official Jan. 16 — pending approval from the board of trustees in February. His contract’s base salary is set at $1.65 million annually through June 30, 2029, but with yearly media appearances and opportunities, fringe benefits and travel expenses, his annual salary will lie just above $2 million, according to his employment agreement.

In 2010, Bjork got his first start as an athletic director at Western Kentucky.

During his two-year tenure in Bowling Green, Kentucky as the then-youngest athletic director, he was able to provide raises for several coaches, most notably its former head football coach Willie Taggart. Additionally, Bjork won at least four Sun Belt championships in men’s basketball, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s tennis.

His fault? Former assistant defensive coach Lance Guidry, under his watch, was arrested for driving under the influence while in Baton Rouge for a road game in 2011.

Bjork never suspended Guidry.

But because of the positive aspects over his reign, he upgraded to a Southeastern Conference school — Ole Miss — where he resided from 2012-19.

While a Rebel, Bjork doubled their athletics revenue from $57 to $117

LAURYN LUDERMAN | SPORTS EDITOR

Newly appointed Ross Bjork addressing the public for the first time at Covelli Center Jan. 17 after the Jan. 16 announcement of his appointment.

He will take over July 1.

million, according to Ole Miss’ website, and opened or completed fundraising for more than six stadium constructions and renovations. In addition, over the 2015-16 academic year Ole Miss student-athletes reached a cumulative GPA of over 3.0 for the first time in program history.

However, for the good he does, the bad has no problem following.

One name: Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss’ head football coach from 2012-16.

Freeze and the football program were under investigation by the NCAA in January 2016 for several recruiting violations, spanning from alleged help from coaches on ACT scores to unethical benefits for recruits, according to USA Today, which the NCAA called a “ lack of institutional control.”

During their investigation, USA Today reported that the NCAA discovered at least eight more severe violations involving recruits, assistant coaches and current players, all allegedly

under Freeze and Bjork’s knowledge.

In an attempt to save their reputations and the Rebels program, the pair told reporters and recruits that everything they’d been accused of was collateral from former football coach Houston Nutt. However, Nutt filed a lawsuit for “defamation of character” in the summer of 2017 to clear his name.

Shortly thereafter, Ole Miss and Nutt came together to resolve the lawsuit, but another discovery against Freeze was made. He had been making calls to a female escort service for over 2.5 years while under contract with Ole Miss. According to ESPN, the calls spanned less than two minutes each.

On July 20, 2017, Freeze resigned as head coach, though Bjork claimed he would have been terminated if he didn’t voluntarily step down, and the Rebels faced a two-year postseason ban as well as a monetary decrease in scholarships and new restrictions placed on already in-place recruitment regulations.

“We went on facts — you can say whatever you want about perception,” Bjork said at his press conference Jan. 17 at the Covelli Center. “There’s a lot of outside forces that infiltrated, but as far as the head coach, we knew exactly what was happening from a compliance standpoint and then he had a personal failure and as soon as we found out about it, we took action.”

Despite the many tribulations and chaos at Ole Miss over Bjork’s tenure, he upgraded again: College Station, Texas — home of the Texas A&M Aggies.

Bjork was hired at A&M in 2019 and will stay until July 1. As an Aggie, he made seven instrumental coaching hires, including men’s basketball head coach Buzz Williams.

Additionally, he oversaw new stateof-the-art athletic facilities in Aggieland and was heavily involved in passing Texas House Bill 2804, which says Texas universities “may identify, create, facilitate, or otherwise assist with opportunities for a currently enrolled student-athlete to earn compensation from a third party,” according to The Eagle.

But one thing he’ll always be remembered for is the November 2023 firing of head football coach Jimbo Fisher, after Fisher violated the COVID-19 recruiting period in both football and men’s basketball and made “impermissible contact” with recruits, according to 12th Man. Fisher, who was hired in 2017 on a 10-year, $75 million contract, was ultimately fired amid the 2023 season for underperforming. From 2020 on, his team’s records steadily declined. However, Fisher’s contract was extended by Bjork and the Texas A&M board through 2031 and he was offered $94.95 million.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 7