YSU’s new indoor facility is important to Tressel

By Pete Mollica

BOARDMAN — Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel was honored by Youngstown State University at the Penguin Club’s scholarship/ring dinner at Mr. Anthony’s.

But all Tressel wanted to talk about was the university’s new Watson and Tressel Indoor Training Site, which he, his wife Ellen and his in-laws, Frank and Norma Watson, have contributed $1 million toward its construction.

Tressel spent 15 seasons at YSU as football coach, winning four national championships, and he still has a big place in his heart for the university.

“I had the opportunity to spend 15 great years here and even though we’ve left we just can seem to let it go and want to keep our hands right in it,” he said.

“This new WATTS Center is so important to this university,” he said. “It’s so important for recruiting to have the facility, but it is even more important for skill development.

“Years and years ago football was all about 11 guys lining up in the snow and running into each other,” he added. “So maybe a weight room was needed to help them get stronger.

“Today the skill level of football just keeps going up and up and up, plus all the other sports like baseball, softball, track and golf all need a facility to work all year round,” he continued. “So therefore it is a must that we get this facility up and running as soon as possible.”

YSU athletic director Ron Strollo has said the university has accepted donations totalling $3 million and they haven’t started to go out to ask for more.

“[Sunday’s] dinner will really be the start of our campaign to get the money we need,” he said. “We have the site set where the current outdoor track now sits and we are finishing up the architect’s drawing of the plans for the facility.”

Tressel also talked about the Penguins’ season which was just completed, and the outstanding job that coach Jon Heacock has done with the program.

“Things are different in different times,” he said. “I really think that I-AA football changed in about 1995. The immediate exit rule and the transfer rule came into existence all the while we were concentrating on building a program.

“[YSU] had some difficult times this year,” he said. “I think we had more injuries this season than we had in all 15 years I was coaching here. But there is no doubt in my mind that Jon will bring this team right back next season.”

On a closing note Tressel was asked about world middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik and his title defense in Youngstown later this month.

“I know Kelly and I know his blood will be boiling,” he said. “Youngstown means so much to him. I can’t even imagine how he feels and I’m so excited for him.”

mollica@vindy.com