CURBSTONE COACHES Fitch grad says Tressel is asset for Ohio State

Marketing consultant Jack Schrom produces and sells Tressel's weekly television show.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Marketing consultant Jack Schrom believes that Jim Tressel already has become a leader at Ohio State, and predicts that the Buckeyes' first-year football coach will build a successful program at the Big Ten school.
"It's my opinion that Jim Tressel is the perfect man for the perfect job at a perfect time," Schrom, an Austintown native, told the Curbstone Coaches Monday at their noon luncheon at the Lockwood House.
"We'll see great things from him."
A 1963 graduate of Fitch High who produces and sells Tressel's weekly television show, Schrom said the former YSU coach is laying the foundation for a well-rounded program, one that emphasizes academics and the total development of the student-athlete.
"Spring was fascinating to watch because he was building a team. It's my opinion he will win and win big and with dignity," said Schrom, the president and owner of JSF Properties, a sports marketing, marketing consulting and broadcasting company based in Columbus.
Syndicates shows: A former vice president of marketing and public relations for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Schrom also produces and syndicates television shows for OSU basketball coaches Jim O'Brien and Beth Burns. He is the personal service representative for Tressel, O'Brien and Archie Griffin.
Reminded that OSU graduated only about 50 percent of its football players prior to Tressel, Schrom predicted that the new coach will exceed that percentage figure and, in fact, push it near the top -- because he is serious about education.
"You have to make it a priority. You don't win national championships [not] doing that," said Schrom, who said Tressel already dropped at least one player who wouldn't go to class, even after bringing his family in.
"He told him, 'We're done. We just have different priorities,' " said Schrom.
Schrom said it is a "great" time to be at OSU, not only because of Tressel but because of other coaches and the leadership of athletic director Andy Geiger.
"It's kind of an historical time at Ohio State. It seems to be that coaching there is equal to the best that it has ever been," said Schrom, referring to Tressel, O'Brien and baseball coach Bob Todd.
He compared them in stature to Woody Hayes and Fred Taylor, former OSU football and basketball coaches, respectively.
"Andy Geiger is truly a leader," said Schrom. "After Sept. 11, he was the first in the country to put the game in perspective" and cancel the football game that week.
Schrom said Tressel also showed his depth as a coach when he made sure his players knew what was happening on Sept. 11.
"Tressel had a political science professor come in and talk to the team," said Schrom.
In the community: Tressel already is involved in the Ohio State community, teaming with O'Brien to promote the Columbus Heart Association and the Ronald McDonald's House.
"We think great things will happen with that relationship -- Tressel and the heart association," said Schrom. "Tressel and O'Brien will help to build a new Ronald McDonald's House in the city."
Schrom also is happy that Tressel has attracted a big part of Youngstown with him to Columbus.
"One of the best things about Tressel coming to OSU is the Youngstown people coming to Columbus," he said.