San Antonio - An Ohio State University Alumni Club

Got something to say about our beloved University, its sports, classes, campus or any other related issue...let's discuss! 

 Send your inputs to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with a subject: "Buckeye Blog" and state your opinion/issue.  Here's one about the recent shooting on campus!

Greetings TexBux:

Your president has asked me to provide a blog to provide what may be a different perspective on Ohio State and the state of higher education in general.  I prefer to provide some jolly piece on Oval antics or a behind-the-curtain look at the high quality of entertainment along the Olentangy.  But as is often the case, attempts at light-hearted meanderings are interrupted by tragic events.  Such is the case as we learned of the recent shooting death of an OSU employee by the hand of another.

Early in the morning, according to police reports, a just-recently fired facilities staff member shot and killed a supervisor and wounded another before turning the weapon on himself.  As this came hard on the heels of an assault incident on campus, it opened the question of campus security.  After the previous incident, there was some national exposure to the concern that students did not “get the word” about on-campus incidents.  In the blogosphere, a couple of students complained that OSU did not care enough to notify them of potential danger.  However, Ohio State did post information on the incident in a very timely fashion on its Web site and sent messages to those who have signed up for emergency notifications.  A few commenters chided the students for not signing up for a free program that may provide them up-to-date information critically invaluable to them.  In fact, roughly 90% of the students had not bothered with this service.  It is unclear how many faculty and staff haven’t signed on, either. 

While the case of the employee shooting did not directly affect the students, having a taped-off crime scene on campus, even if it is at the electrical plant, inevitably raises concerns.  One parent wrote to an on-line site that he felt that places such as Ohio State resting in or adjacent to big cities invited the crime that plagues such communities.  However, in replying to that submission, I pointed out that the same dangers exist in the so-called “college towns” that the reader had preferred for his own kids. Looking at some of the most heinous on-campus or campus-related tragedies, one need not stray too far from Virginia Tech.  Or one can look at the epitome of the college town, Gainesville, Florida, in which nearly everyone employed there serves the huge institution that is the University of Florida. G’ville was the scene in the 1990s of brutal serial student murders that terrorized that community.  And the list goes on. 

However, while sensationalized crimes, such as the UF and Va Tech murders create the headlines, there is some evidence that other crimes are still an issue on college campuses.  While OSU’s number of sexually related assaults is down in the last reported year, it is still higher than some other comparable-sized universities in college towns, such as Penn State and UF (though the University of Michigan suffered some 15 more crimes of this category than OSU that year).  OSU seems to be the place, however, for those campus folks who can’t keep their hands off other people’s property.  Theft of items is higher at OSU than most college places, though that number, too, seems to be dropping rapidly.  Reviewing the reports of various campuses, it seems one of the safest, most secure places to be is the University of Alaska.  I’ll leave it for each reader to speculate why that may be. 

The true danger for students at universities is the same as it is for any young American.  My wife, who worked at a Research 1 university student health care center once told me that the university lost an average of slightly more than a student a month, and these primarily due to automobile accidents.  It seems the best defense against bodily harm for college students is the same for the rest of us – a fastened seat belt.

Given that OSU is a city within a city, it’s a pretty safe place to be.  Comparing crime at OSU vs. the national average, it would seem that sending one’s child to college there or almost any college is, statisically speaking, far better than keeping him or her around the local neighborhood. 

K. Anderson Crooks, Ph.D., APR, CPRC

Note: Dr. Crooks (OSU ’79) has served as a university faculty member and as a senior administrator.  He has taught at institutions from community college to a major flagship university and earned Ohio State Alumni Association’s Outstanding Citizenship Award for his contributions to our country and to higher education.

Ohio State Buckeyes.Com:  COLUMBUS, Ohio - Starting to peak at just the right time, the No. 5 Ohio State men's gymnastics team downed No. 8 California, 351.800-346.00, Saturday afternoon in St. John Arena as six different Buckeyes recorded first-place finishes on five of the six events.  Senior Justin Myers won floor with a career-best 15.35, sophomore Steven Spencer won pommel horse with a season-best 15.4, junior Brandon Wynn took rings with a 16.0, sophomore Mike Behles placed first with a 15.85 on vault while senior Tai Lee and junior Sean Regan tied for first on high bar with matching scores of 14.95.  Postseason action is coming soon as Ohio State will host the 2010 Big Ten Men's Gymnastics Championships at 7 p.m. April 2-3 in St. John Arena. For tickets, call 1-800-GO-BUCKS.

https://2010ncaawff.theregistrationsystem.com/en/registration/index/591

There is a 2 shift minimum (eight total hours) and a volunteer orientation on March 23rd at 6pm or March 24th at 2pm. Let the club know when you sign up (for alumni club award credits).

• Running back competition resumes. Brandon Saine and Dan Herron finished strong in 2009, but they can’t get too comfortable. Several young running backs, including Jordan Hall, Jaamal Berry, Jermil Martin and Carlos Hyde, will be competing for carries this spring. Saine likely has the best chance to lock down a featured role at running back, but if the hype about Berry pans out, it’ll be a dogfight.
• Pryor’s evolution. After Ohio State’s victory in the Rose Bowl, both Terrelle Pryor and Jim Tressel talked about the game being a key juncture in Pryor’s development. The junior quarterback must build on his performance this spring, especially from a passing standpoint. Ohio State can be a more balanced and more effective offense in 2010, but Pryor needs to keep making strides.
• Safety squeeze. The Buckeyes didn’t lose much from the 2009 team, but the safety spot took a hit as first-team All-Big Ten selection Kurt Coleman as well as key contributor Anderson Russell depart. Jermale Hines looks like the answer at one spot, and he’ll enter the spring with high expectations. Ohio State needs to build around Hines and identify playmakers for an increasingly opportunistic unit.

William Buford led Ohio State today with 24 points as the Buckeyes (23-7, 13-4) took care of business and avenged a loss earlier this year to arch-rival Michigan, score: OSU 66, UM 55.  Go Bucks!!  One more win and a loss for Purdue and we clinch a share of the Big Ten Title!

OSU Alumni Mark Frye to Host New “Military City USA” Radio Show
Mark Frye, LMI senior fellow and one of our own OSU Buckeye Alumni (OH-IO), is co-hosting a new weekly program on San Antonio’s News Talk Radio, 930 AM KLUP. The show, “Military City USA,” showcases the men, women, and missions that define San Antonio’s vital role in the nation’s defense. Mr. Frye co-hosts with John Thurman.  Mark brings an intimate understanding of San Antonio’s military operations. A nationally recognized authority on the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, Mark developed the concept of establishing the San Antonio Joint Program Office to integrate all BRAC 2005 actions in San Antonio. He has also authored or co-authored much of the guidance the Department of Defense now uses to implement BRAC actions elsewhere.  he is one of our Ohio State favorite sons and a great American.  So tune in on Saturday mornings to Military City USA at 8:00 a.m. Central on KLUP-AM radio or he can be heard on the Internet at www.klup.com by clicking on the Listen Live button.  Buckeyes making a difference!! Go Bucks!!

While the men were showcasing themselves on CBS today, the lady Buckeyes were sealing the deal with their conference record 6th straight Big Ten Championship!  Samantha Prahalis (19 Points, 6 Rebounds, 8 Assists, 3 Steals, and 1 Blocked shot) led the # 9 women Buckeyes (25-3, 13-2 Big Ten) past Minnesota 64-59 in Minneapolis.

CONGRATULATIONS Buckeyes!!  2010 Big Ten Champs!  Now go win it ALL!