Ohio State’s Geiger to Retire

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State Athletic Director Andy Geiger is retiring after a decade featuring some of the Buckeyes’ greatest victories and biggest embarrassments.

From the time Maurice Clarett led the Buckeyes to a football national championship in 2002, the athletic department has been beset by NCAA investigations of its football and basketball programs.

“I find my work is no longer fun and I no longer look forward with enthusiasm to each day,” Geiger, 65, said Wednesday. “I’m just tired. Just bone-weary. Not the tired that a good night of sleep fixes. ‘Burnout,’ I guess, is what they call it in the industry.”

University President Karen Holbrook said Geiger’s retirement would be effective June 30. He will stay at the school until June 2006 as a fundraiser and consultant.

After leading Ohio State to the national title as a freshman, Clarett was suspended for lying to investigators during an NCAA probe of allegations that he received improper benefits from a family friend.

Last month, the school imposed a one-year postseason tournament ban on its men’s basketball team over an alleged $6,000 payment to a recruit by former coach Jim O’Brien.