University’s policy strongest link

by Philip Elliott
Managing Editor

An Ohio University cheerleader’s attempt to compete on NBC’s The Weakest Link has left her chained by administration policy from appearing on the game show.

OU sophomore Angela Heck, an Ohio cheerleader, was a finalist to compete on the game show’s college cheerleading episode. But because the show required the cheerleaders to appear in uniform, OU officials will block her participation.

On Tuesday, NBC notified Heck she was eligible to take part, but she found out later that day that OU officials, including OU President Robert Glidden and Director of Athletics Thomas Boeh, barred her from appearing on television in uniform.

“The same day I received the notice, my coach found out that I was not allowed to go,” said Heck, a music major on the Dean’s List. “The only way I could get on the show is if I wore my cheerleading uniform that says Ohio.”

OU officials said their concern is not about Heck’s appearance on the show, to be taped Feb. 2, but the Ohio name.

Heck would be permitted to compete if she did not have to wear her uniform, said Leesa Brown, an OU spokeswoman.

“There are pretty strict guidelines on how the uniform can be used,” Brown said. “The university doesn’t want to loosen up on these guidelines.”

Ohio athletes can wear their uniforms at athletic events and other functions that serve the university’s mission, she said.

But Weakest Link executives said the uniform was mandatory for the show, which has not yet been given an airdate.

“In many colleges, they have issues with what (contestants) are wearing,” said Laura Chambers, the show’s contestant producer. “That’s a frequent issue.”

Part of the proposed agreement between NBC and OU included indefinite use of the Ohio logo, Brown said. The agreement would give NBC the rights to use the footage of Heck wearing the Ohio logo on future broadcasts without consulting OU.

“They are squeamish about completely giving that away,” Brown said.

Glidden responded to Heck’s e-mail messages, but decided to stand by OU’s policies on athletic uniforms — policies that are tightly woven and enforced, Brown said.

At Ohio State University, no such policy exists, said Rob Cleveland, OSU assistant director of trademarks and licensing.

“It would be the cheerleading coach’s call or the athletic director’s call,” Cleveland said. “We’re concerned, but our (emphasis) is the commercial use of trademarks.”

The special cheerleading episode drew at least 100 audition tapes from more than 70 colleges, Chambers said. Of those, 18 finalists will attend the taping of the show. Eight contestants will get to appear.

But Chambers’ staff contacted every potential contestant’s school because many schools refuse to let their students appear in uniform. She refused to say how many schools refused to allow college uniforms to be worn.

While Heck said she is upset she cannot appear on the prime-time show, she is not going to give up on Ohio athletics.

“I’m not going to turn my back on it,” she said. “I’m still a proud participant.”