OH State Univ. (OSU) AD Andy Geiger said RB Michael
Wiley's eligibility "is not in jeopardy" and OSU "went
through channels and did everything we're supposed to do"
regarding Wiley's image on checks issued by Huntington
National Bank, according to Mike Pramik of the COLUMBUS
DISPATCH. Geiger: "There certainly is no issue involving
Mike [Wiley] since he didn't know anything about it"
(COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 9/12). Pramik reported that OSU "might
be violating NCAA rules" because Wiley's image is printed on
the checks as part of its new Buckeye Banking account. NCAA
Dir of Membership Services Athena Yiamouyiannis said, "A
commercial entity is not permitted to use a student
athlete's name or picture in endorsing a commercial product
or service. We say you can use the number, but not the
athlete." However, Huntington Bank Dir of Advertising Maria
Koob said that OSU "provided" the photo of Wiley. On the
check, Wiley's No. 5 was "replaced with a zero in order to
make the image seem generic." Rickabaugh Graphics designer
Mark Krumel said that he was "asked to blur" the photo of
Wiley (DISPATCH, 9/11). Geiger: "It is permissible to use a
current athlete if he or she is not identifiable and their
current number has been changed" (BEACON JOURNAL, 9/12).
