Ohio State star feels let down by school

TEMPE, Ariz., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Maurice Clarett refused to back down Tuesday on his statement that Ohio State would not help him fly home to attend a friend's funeral.

The freshman running back insisted he filed the necessary paperwork that would have given him the funds to fly home to Youngstown, Ohio to attend the funeral of Juan Bell.

According to police reports, Bell was shot on Dec. 21 in what has been termed a drug-related incident.

Tuesday was Media Day at the Fiesta Bowl, where Clarett and the Ohio State Buckeyes will battle Miami for the national championship Friday night. Clarett was the center of attention because of his claim Monday that school officials prevented him from attending the funeral.

"I filled out the paperwork. They can't lie about that," Clarett said in front of a crowd of reporters at Sun Devil Stadium. "But it doesn't make make much difference right now."

Later in the day, Ohio State issued a statement that Clarett did not file the form -- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFFSA) -- with the Department of Education. All student athletes are encouraged to file the form, which would enable players from poor families such as Clarett to receive funds in addition to their athletic scholarship.

Had Clarett filed the form in time, the school would have had the leeway to pay for a plane ticket and not be subject to NCAA sanctions.

"As of Dec. 30, 2002, there was no FAFFSA on file for Maurice Clarett. Maurice may have begun the process, but at the time we had to make the decision, there was no indication of a FAFFSA on file for Maurice in our financial aid office," Buckeyes Athletic Director Andy Geiger said. "We were therefore compelled to follow the NCAA rules as they apply to the situation.

"We care deeply about all of our student-athletes and we did everything possible to assist Maurice Clarett in this time of his personal grief. Unfortunately, given the circumstances, we had no choice other than to react in the manner in which we did."

Geiger said Clarett had been given the option of paying for the plane ticket, completing the forms and seeking reimbursement, but chose not to.

Clarett set a school freshman rushing record with 1,190 yards and and the episode raises questions about his emotional state just three days before the showdown with Miami, even if he thinks otherwise.

"We're so focused on the game and this won't be a distraction," Clarett said.

As for now, Ohio State officials are treating the situation carefully.

"He is trying to answer a lot of questions in his moment of grief. Our role is to be supportive," Coach Jim Tressel said. "I don't think it is my place to tell him how to handle his grief. He knows that we are here for him."

Ohio State players were supportive of Clarett but would not back his charge that the school abandoned him in his time of need.

"That's Clarett. He speaks his mind and you have to respect that," Buckeyes safety Michael Doss said. "The timing wasn't the best and these NCAA rules are so complicated, it's tough to know what to think."