http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2011/04/25/0425-ohio-state-faces-severe-sanctions.html
The NCAA alleges that:
Tressel was guilty of ethical misconduct when he knowingly provided false information to the NCAA in certifying that he knew of no potential violations by his players and failed to inform OSU officials.
Ohio State fielded ineligible players last season when starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor and others competed despite Tressel's knowledge of their misconduct. NCAA bylaws call for immediate suspensions.
The NCAA said that Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams, Solomon Thomas and Jordan Whiting will not face further punishment. They have been suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season.
The NCAA letter details what those five current players and one former player did: Improperly sold Big Ten championship rings, "gold pants" charms from Michigan wins, game-worn equipment and other items to tattoo-parlor owner Ed Rife for $9,480.
Players, whose names were redacted by Ohio State citing a federal privacy law, also received 13 free or discounted tattoos. In addition, one player received a $2,420 discount toward the purchase of a used vehicle from Rife, as well as an $800 loan for vehicle repairs, the NCAA reported.
Tressel knew that at least two players were selling memorabilia or football awards to Rife. Those transactions made the players ineligible to compete under NCAA rules, the letter states.
However, Tressel never reported the violations to OSU officials and certified to the NCAA he was unaware of any potential problems.
Tressel said he never informed his Ohio State superiors of the misconduct by his players because he feared for their safety amid an April 2, 2010 e-mail from Cicero reporting that they were selling memorabilia a tattoo parlor under investigation for suspected drug dealing. Rife has not been charged with any crime related to these incidents.
Tressel also said that Cicero requested that the information be kept confidential and the coach said he did not want to take any action that might interfere with the federal investigation. The suspect has not been charged with any offense.
The allegation that Tressel lied to the NCAA is significant. Since 2006, the NCAA has sanctioned 28 schools for violating the ethics bylaw that Tressel did. Of the 13 head coaches involved, only one kept her job. The others either resigned or were fired by their schools.
Since 2004, four universities that are part of the Football Bowl Championship division were penalized by the NCAA for allowing ineligible players to participate in games and for being repeat offenders.
Alabama (football), South Alabama (men's tennis), Arkansas (track) and Southern California (football) each had to vacate all victories in which the ineligible athletes competed. All were placed on probation, but only Southern California was banned from post-season competition.
Tressel, Gee, athletic director Gene Smith and others are being asked to meet with the NCAA infractions committee on Aug. 12 in Indianapolis. At the hearing, OSU will answer questions and explain itself. At some point after that, the NCAA will rule on the ultimate punishment.
In addition to stripping Ohio State of its wins from 2010, NCAA rules allow the organization to reduce the number of football scholarships OSU can award and forbid Ohio State from participating in any Big Ten championship game or post-season bowl game.
Facts, figures
Here are the bottom-line numbers on the transactions between one former and six current Ohio State University football players and Columbus tattoo-parlor owner Edward Rife. Ohio State redacted the names of the players, citing federal student privacy laws.
$9,480: Cash players received for selling awards and equipment.
$555: Value of two free tattoos and discounts on 11 other tattoos.
$2,450: Discount on used vehicle a player bought from Rife.
$800: Loan the same player received from Rife for vehicle repairs.
$100: Fee a player received for obtaining team autographs on two replica helmets owned by Rife.
Total: $13,385
Transactions
Player A: Sold Big Ten championship ring for $1,000 (April 2009).
Player B: Sold national championship game jersey, pants and shoes for $1,000 and received two free tattoos valued at $150 (summer 2009).
Player C: Sold Big Ten championship ring for $1,200 and received $50 discount on one tattoo (June 2009).
Player D: Sold Big Ten championship ring, "Gold Pants" award and (a redacted item) for $2,500 (May/June 2009).
Player E: Sold Big Ten championship ring ($1,000), "Gold Pants" award ($350) for $1,350 and received $155 discount on five tattoos. (February to November 2009).
Player F: Received $150 discount on three tattoos (summer 2009).
Player G: Sold Big Ten championship ring ($1,500), two "Gold Pants" awards ($250 each), helmet ($150) and pants ($30) from Michigan game and Rose Bowl watch ($250) for $2,430. Received $55 discount on two tattoos. Paid $100 to obtain team autographs on two helmets. Received $2,420 discount on purchase of used vehicle and $800 loan for vehicle repairs. (November 2008 to May 2010).
Email article here.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2011/04/25/0425-more-emails-from-tressel-released.html
