OHIO STATE:
Reimbursement of up to $1,250 per person allowed.
Meyer thrilled by College Football Playoff reimbursement news,
COLUMBUS — Moments after speaking about his hope that players’ families will receive heftier stipends in the future to attend College Football Playoff games, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer heard good news about that topic — and surprising news in that it affects the present.
The College Football Playoff announced Tuesday it will reimburse a maximum of two parents or legal guardians up to $1,250 each to help pay for travel — including costs such as airfare, fuel, hotel and meals — to Texas for the national championship game. No. 4 Ohio State plays No. 2 Oregon at 8:30 p.m. Monday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Meyer, Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith and the parents of Ohio State players had been leading a charge to help families attend the games. Each of the 85 players traveling to the game for Ohio State will still receive $800 from the school, plus free tickets, in addition to the $1,250 per parent.
Ohio State sports information director Jerry Emig interrupted a news conference with Meyer to tell the coach the news.
“I’m really fired up over that,” Meyer said. “That just kind of made my day.”
The College Football Playoff is putting the system together on the fly. Smith said he hopes in the future no money will exchange hands, and players’ families will all book their travel through the same travel agent and stay at the same hotel. This time, the families will not get money up front and they will have to show proof of having traveled to the game before they can be reimbursed.
Smith called it a pilot program and said the NCAA will try something similar for basketball teams that make it to the Final Four this season.
Doing quick math while being interviewed at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Tuesday, Smith said he expects this to cost close to $250,000 per school. That’s if families are paying $300 per night for three nights for a hotel room and $800 for a flight.
“I think they can find that money in the College Football Playoff fund,” Smith said. “It’s a good start.”
Meyer praised Smith for making it happen.
“Gene Smith is a powerful man in the sport,” Meyer said. “All due respect to all other ADs, for him to step out on the line like that, that’s good.”
Meyer honored: Meyer received one other bit of news during his news conference. A reporter told him Urbana, Ohio, was dropping the “A” in its name Monday and will be known as Urban for one day.
“You’re kidding?” said Meyer as he laughed. “Wow. That’s very nice. Thank you.”
Injury updates: Meyer said tight end Jeff Heuerman and hybrid back Dontre Wilson are probable for Monday. Heuerman has a right ankle sprain.
Wilson is recovering from a broken foot. He wore a boot to practice Tuesday and did not practice. He did not play against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.