COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State University’s president has withdrawn as commencement speaker for a parochial high school after being reprimanded for making disparaging remarks about Notre Dame, Catholics and the Southeastern Conference.
Gordon Gee (ghee) had been scheduled to speak Saturday at the graduation ceremony for St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus. Ohio State says Gee decided Monday not to attend to make sure the students and their accomplishments remain the focus of the event.
DeSales’ principal says he received a “heartfelt apology” from Gee on Monday.
Last week, Gee apologized for his disparaging comments made in December after they were first reported by The Associated Press. He also apologized to the Big Ten conference for his “hurtful remarks” about some university athletic programs.
Ohio State trustees warn he could be fired for any more verbal gaffes.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
The president of Ohio State University withdrew Monday as commencement speaker for a Catholic high school after being reprimanded for mocking Notre Dame, Roman Catholics and the Southeastern Conference in comments to the university’s Athletic Council in December.
Gordon Gee was scheduled to speak Saturday at the graduation ceremony for St. Francis DeSales High School in Columbus but decided he’ll skip it to avoid detracting attention from the students and their accomplishments, Ohio State spokeswoman Gayle Saunders said.
“Graduation is a seminal moment for these young people and their families, and Dr. Gee wants to ensure that the appropriate focus is kept on them,” Saunders said.
Phone and email messages were left Monday for the principals at DeSales.
Gee apologized for his derogatory comments after an Associated Press report last week revealed he told the Athletic Council that Notre Dame wasn’t allowed to join the Big Ten conference because its leaders were not good partners. He said its Roman Catholic priests were “holy hell” except on Sundays and joked “those damn Catholics” can’t be trusted.
Gee also questioned the academic integrity of SEC schools and singled out the University of Kentucky.
Gee said he didn’t mean to offend anyone. He apologized in a statement and campus-wide email and on Twitter late last week, and he apologized Sunday to the Big Ten for his “hurtful remarks” about some university athletic programs.
The veteran university administrator has a history of headline-grabbing remarks, but the latest prompted the sternest response from Ohio State trustees, who warned him that he could be fired for any more verbal gaffes.
In a March letter, the trustees said Gee’s comments have embarrassed and divided Ohio State. They said he must take remedial steps including making personal apologies, seeking professional help to revisit his personal communications and speechwriting processes and rethinking what speaking engagements he accepts.
