YSU v. BCS teams: The benefits

YOUNGSTOWN

Standing on the Stambaugh Stadium sidelines in mid-August, YSU athletic director Ron Strollo looked up in the stands and pointed at the red chairback seats.

“Those are dollars from Ohio State,” he said.

Next he pointed at the headsets worn by the Penguin football coaches.

“State of the art,” he said. “As good as you’ll find anywhere.

“Those came from Ohio State.”

Behind him, construction continued on the Watson and Tressel Training Site, the $10 million indoor training facility set to open in late 2010. Part of that money came from Ohio State, too.

The Penguins also have a top-of-the-line video editing system, the same used by the Browns and Steelers. That came from playing Penn State four years ago.

The renovated football office lobby downstairs? Pitt money from 2005.

Oh, and the $3.5 million in scholarships YSU will provide its athletes this school year? Well, without this Saturday’s Penn State game, that bill would be a little bit tougher to tackle.

Of all the reasons YSU would make the three-hour trip to Happy Valley — recruiting help, media attention, the once-in-a-lifetime chance to play against college football’s winningest coach — one stands far above all others: money.

Read why in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.