’54 alum of Youngstown College sees same traits in Jones, Tressel
’54 alum of Youngstown College sees same traits in Jones, Tressel
I am a student-athlete mem- ber of the Youngstown College graduating Class of 1954. During my four years at the college (which later became Youngstown State University), it was my privilege to experience a personal relationship with President Howard Jones and Mrs. Jones.
Most recently my wife Donna and I had the opportunity to meet Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel and Mrs. Tressel. The encounter was brief but enough to bring to mind how much alike the personalities of the two presidents are.
The following comments are specific with regards to President Tressel, many of which we would also attribute to President Jones. They are not based solely on our first introduction but his tenure as the football coach at YSU and OSU, along with articles that appeared in various publications.
We believe that he demonstrates excellent people skills, has a pleasing, laid-back personality and winning ways — all of which are essential in working with people and are necessary to accomplish the goals of an organization;
He is a leader with character and integrity, a team player who treats colleagues with respect and dignity. He is a visionary and a catalyst for change — with a strong work ethic and boundless energy;
His intensity, focus, drive and dedication have had a maximum influence on the modern-day YSU football program;
He has demonstrated that the pathway to success is by believing in your dreams and seeing them not as far-off wishes but as today’s possibilities;
We believe that he will do the right things and do them the right way. In so doing, he will move the university to prosperity and stability.
It is the deep respect for the real differences he has made, and the many lives that he has touched that gives us cause to believe that President Tressel is someone who will really make a difference as president of Youngstown State University.
We wish him well!
Angelo and Donna E. Pezzuolo, New Castle, Pa.