Ohio State has released a statement following their hearing before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions.
Statement from President E. Gordon Gee:
“I appreciated the opportunity to appear today before the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions. The committee treated us fairly and gave us ample time to share our perspective. Throughout, we have been determined to do what is right in responding to the information we discovered. As we move forward, I am committed to ensuring that The Ohio State University is a model for other colleges and universities. Our institution expects nothing less.”
Statement from Director of Athletics Gene Smith:
“The university was pleased to present to the Committee on Infractions our perspectives on the two violations that were covered in our self-report on March 8, 2011. As expected, the committee had numerous relevant questions about the issues in the case, which I believe the institution answered thoroughly and thoughtfully. We also had the opportunity to summarize information detailed in the university’s response and the institution’s reasons for its self-imposed corrective and punitive actions. Consistent with vacating the 2011 Sugar Bowl, and in addition to our previously announced corrective and punitive actions, we also shared with the committee our decision to forfeit our share of the Big Ten’s payment for having played in that game ($338,811).
“Following this hearing, we will be working with the NCAA staff to move forward to wrap up our inquiry into any remaining issues. We are aware of a letter that the NCAA enforcement staff sent to the Committee on Infractions nearly a month ago detailing the status of this case. The NCAA staff concluded that the evidence at this time does not warrant additional allegations and that our joint review of any remaining items did not necessitate a delay to today’s hearing. We now look forward to working together so that we can conclude this follow-up work as quickly as possible.
“In closing, we appreciate the efforts of the committee and its staff in the work it has completed to date and look forward to the committee’s report in eight to 12 weeks.”
Despite the hearing lasting only three and a half hours, it looks like we can expect a verdict in late October or early November. Smith also acknowledged a second letter sent from the NCAA's enforcement staff to the COI, so there may be more to this, but then again, there may not be.
Comments
But, based on the tone of Smith's response, it sounds like it's just more follow-up/dotting the i's kind of investigating (which is what Jason alluded to a few days ago). I guess we'll know soon enough.
I don't know. The side bar letter certainly seems to take the tone of potential violations to come. While I'm glad this hearing is done, knowing that there has indeed been additional communication in regards to possible extra violations is going to linger.
I don't know if it's a certain that more is on the way, but you're right: the tone of the letter isn't great.
Round 1 is over. Yay?
I guess I didn't really get any TONE out of the letter. Other than if we find other things out we can apply more punishment.
But, that is more like duh.
I think they will agree with the self imposed sanctions, and we will be on our way.
"We have always had the best damn band in the land, now we have the best damn team in the land"- Jim Tressel 1-03-03
The entire reason for the letter seems to be b/c there is potentially more & an agreement that the preference was to not post-pone the hearing.
All I'm saying is that this may not be over with. There is no need to discuss post-ponement or some of the specifics of that letter if there is nothing new. Who knows? Just hope that if there indeed is something else, it is dealt with quickly.
The letter was from a month ago, although I don't know if that's a good sign or a bad one.
considering the summary judgement came a week letter, I think it's a good sign.
It certainly doesn't sound like OSU is worried (dispatch and others).
So far, so good. Now for some football.
Because we couldn't go for three.
Suck it Forde.
Brutus -- any insight on that additional allegation? Are they waiting to interview Ellis before they will call the investigation off?
If/when I find out more, you'll see it here.
If that linked letter was indeed Forde's 2nd letter, then we have nothing to worry about. That is grade A lawyer CYA language, and nothing more.
The Ohio State University, College of Arts & Sciences, Class of 2006
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Class of 2009
Elaborate?
It just says if they do find anything, they can move forward and most importantly that everyone is aware of that... not that they have or will.
Besides, wouldn't this be in reference to Dorian Bell since it is dated 2011-07-13? So this wouldn't be anything new?
Lesmerises (Plain Dealer) just reported on air on 97.1 The Fan that he just learned in fact that this does in fact refer to Dorian Bell.
If that is indeed the issue, it is party time in Cbus.
Wow. Just wow. Still can't breathe entirely easily until after they meet with fuck face Ellis.
Thats why I'm saying someone needs to take one for the team and find out who he is, kidnap his ass, drive him up 71 to the north coast, tie cinder blocks to his feet and push him off of the side of a boat at the Canada line. Its not murder if it doesn't take place on 'Merican soil right?
Kidding of course, but if this rat is trying to do this for financial gain, he's asking to get his ass torn up by someone in that 5-10 percent that Herbie mentioned. The NCAA can't guarentee his anonymity so someone's gonna find out at some point.
Time and change will surely show how firm they friendship... O-HI-O.
4 reels. It's not as if this "Ellis" could be just anyone. It's going to be someone that either worked there or hung out all the time, most likely worked. We are talking about a very small pool of people and while most of us have no idea who it could be, those involved probably have a good idea.
Ellis will be discovered.
I'm sorry for not being sorry.
If Mr. Ellis' photos were to include a current OSU player (or players) posing next to a couple pounds of weed and a big stack of money (i.e., they were hanging out in a place where felonious activity was occurring) that would obviously be extremely bad, and I would be in favor of a player in such a situation being dismissed from the program immediately. But I don't think it drags all this other business back into the mix. The charges that were discussed before the NCAA infractions committee today had to do with JT having knowledge of potential illegal benefits violations (which turned out to be "actual" violations) and lying about it. I think NCAA accepts our self-imposed punishment and we move foreward.
If new shit hits the fan via Mr. Ellis' revelations, I feel like it will most likely be specific to an individual player or players misbehaving, and would not be viewed as a problem that is institutional in nature. I believe OSU the institution has been above board and forthcoming with the information they had on hand from the very beginning.
I believe we can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. If that makes me a Kool Aid drinker then fill me up another glass!
What happened with Dorian Bell?
He was suspended the entire year for "vioaltions of team rules". Apparently whatever he did was a violation and we self-reported it.
Have to wonder what he did to warrant a full season.
http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/05/01/ex-five-star-lb-dori...
Rumors have it that he was continuing to sell his crap for $ or tats or whatever. So they suspended him for the year and this is supposedly the additional issue that was brought forth in the linked letter. Should have been kicked off the team IMO but yeah... If the issue is about bell then its the same situation, and has already been addressed by the university, which is a good thing.
Time and change will surely show how firm they friendship... O-HI-O.
Yeah, sorry I was off thread there. The other commenters got at the heart of what I meant in my original comment. It is just lawyer-ese in the letter to make sure they can press any further findings later.
The Ohio State University, College of Arts & Sciences, Class of 2006
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Class of 2009
So, there's nothing for ESPN to talk about for another 6-8 weeks, right? ;)
Because we couldn't go for three.
Next is the scandal that in addition to our head coach, our assistant coaches also receive money and benefits from the university.
They can always bring up the cars thing a third or fourth time... Even though Ohio BMV already put that shit to bed long ago.
If for some reason, Woody forbid, the NCAA decides to give OSU a postseason ban, would it affect this season since it will already be underway?
No idea. But, all indications point to we're going to walk away from this (from round 1 at least) with what we've self-imposed.
If tOSU would get a 1 year post season ban I would hope to hell that they just eat it, opt to take it this year and not appeal. IMO, that would not affect recruiting for the class of 2012.
"It's just another case of there you are". ~ Doc (1918-2012)
I think the best idea was surrendering the cash from that game. Every asshole with a mic said Ohio State should give the money back if they were serious about vacating the bowl. That's a great idea. So now this fiasco has cost this team several players for half the season, the head coach is gone, the Heisman candidate 4th year starting QB is gone, last season this team went 0-1 officially, and at least 1.1 million dollars is gone from the Athletic department coffers. Not to mention the collateral damage in recruiting and bad PR the last few months. I think the self imposed sanctions may just end up holding in the end.
388k, actually. money is divided equally among big 10 members. which means we still keep wisconsin's rose bowl money, hooray!
also given that OSU is paying fickell literally millions of dollars less than his predecessor, i think they'll be okay
I think he was referring to the 800K spent on the investigation PLUS the bowl money. I'm no math wiz, but that's around 1.1 mill.
Yeah, I should've elaborated.
From the Dispatch:
A July 13 letter from NCAA Director of Enforcement Stephanie J. Hannah to the infractions committee noted that one unnamed issue remained to be investigated. Ohio State officials say that has now been addressed.
"It's just another case of there you are". ~ Doc (1918-2012)
How come I still don't feel reassured?
Me either. I just didn't see in that letter that it only referred to one issue. Didn't read anywhere that tOSU addresed it. I'm hoping it's just Bell or Pryor.
"It's just another case of there you are". ~ Doc (1918-2012)
Most have probably have seen this but worth mentioning as our old friend Ken Gordon has quite the handle on the letter/allegation stuff via his tweets:
kgdispatch Ken Gordon
Sounds as if additional violation NCAA refers to is nothing OSU is worried about. Old news, just not included in original allegations.
And
kgdispatch Ken Gordon
So ESPN was correct there was a letter sent. Correct that case remains open. But all indications are nothing new will come of it.
Hopefully that helps ease a Buckeye mind a little bit........not 100% of course- but hopefully veering in the direction of not being the doomsday scenario that's making Forde like a diamond in an ice storm..............
Anyone who says Ohio State deserves the death penalty should just admit they hadn't even heard of the rule before the 30for30 documentary on SMU.
Gordon Gee's signature is on my diploma. I'm proud of that. Class of 2008
I would question whether they even watched the episode. If they did, they certainly couldn't comprehend it.
of course ESPiN went with their negative OSU "reporting"/wishful thinking headline on the ticker ... earlier on the bottom ticker it read "Ohio State faces NCAA in Indianapolis; more penalties may come in 8-12 weeks"
of course --- take the negative and hope for it ESPiN. Don't mention anything about the bottom line --- which is that they avoided harsh penalties for now, and any other violations to come are unlikely or minor if that.
"You win with people." - Woody Hayes
i wonder how many other schools are currently being investigated.
couldn't you just fill in the blank with just about any major program....
penalties may come in 8-12 weeks for ___________
yes...how about UNC --- they make OSU look like Mother Theresa....where is the outcry over UNC
"You win with people." - Woody Hayes
There's more outcry over us because we're better. No one cares about UNC because UNC never beat the crap out of anyone.
Just like everyone here hates Florida with a passion (like I do) everyone else loves to hate OSU.
Which will make our beating Michigan again, winning the Big Ten again and going to another BCS bowl all the sweeter.
yeah, I agree with that --- that everyone loves to hear about OSU, and there is a lot of hate...and OSU football is obviously more popular than UNC football --- everyone agrees with that....but, I don't think just because a program is successful (see Ohio State), that it deserves unbalanced coverage. I don't buy that premise. I think the coverage should be based on the severity of the penalties, not blowing up and exaggerating poorly-sourced stories. But, that is the media today....this is what you get: selective reporting. That is what ESPN is: the worldwide leader in selective sports reporting
"You win with people." - Woody Hayes
I think it was very wise of Gee and Smith to forfeit the $300,000+ that OSU got for playing in the Sugar Bowl.
"Political correctness is tyranny with manners." Charlton Heston(1924-2008)
A drop in the bucket in the grand scheme of things but I agree. It looks like we are fully embracing all of the wrongs of the 2010 season in an effort to keep the penalties isolated to it.
4-6 seconds from point A to point B and when you get to point B, be pissed off
OSU will probably clear over $300,000 on hotdogs and Dasani bottled water the first home game.
That may be true. OSU concessions may well sell more in hot dogs and Dasani, but the symbolism of the move is important. And the NCAA Infractions Committee may also be able to have that Christmas Party at Vegas they had been hoping for, with the extra forfeited money.
"Political correctness is tyranny with manners." Charlton Heston(1924-2008)
I agree - it's the right thing to do.
Note: I believe it's being reported that OSU will be donating the money to several Columbus area charitable organizations.
I wish tOSU would have stood up and defended how stupid the rule is for players selling their own belongings. The NCAA is admitting how archaic their rules are and are promising to overhaul them. It would have been interesting for tOSU to go on the offensive instead of passively awaiting the NCAA to decide their fate.
While I agree with your viewpoint (as do many others), are you loko? I'm damn happy we didn't go after anything. "Interesting," is a good description for that scenario. In the way of being blown up.
Refer to USC.
I agree with you, but with the NCAA it's best to just bend over and take it.
The Ohio State University Class of 2001
BS Aero & Astronautical Engineering
Cam looking good for the steelers tonight. 3 solos and one qb pressure so far off the bench.
Anyone see Matt Hinton's hissy fit on Yahoo entitled "Contrite" (At least that's what the link seaid)? I am really getting pissed about this....I get the no coverage on UNC, but what about Oregon? There an "alleged" football power.....simply amazing.
Hinton, like many of his colleagues, is an ESS EEE SEE tool. The piece to which you're referring (I won't include a link because I don't want him getting any more hits) -- includes much of the double-talk, revisionist history, and outrage that we've become accustomed to seeing from these "sports journalists". (I use that term loosely.)
He says the following about tOSU's paying back the Sugar Bowl payout:
Wrong
Back in Dec. when this all came out, Delaney and Sugar Bowl officials were supposedly the agents lobbying the NCAA. After they secured the loophole that would allow the five to play in the Sugar Bowl, Delaney had to talk Smith and Tressel into NOT making the suspension immediate.
Later Hinton says:
You mean wolves like yourself, Matt Hinton?
By my count Hinton has penned at least ten articles on the Tat-5/Tressel scandal. And although I can't find any where he vilified tOSU for not firing Tressel prior to May 30 -- a lot of his colleagues did. (After the second hour of searching Hinton's prolific tweets, I finally gave up.) At the very least Hinton is guilty of making a lot of hay off of the scandal. So spare us the outrage Dr. Saturday.
#fistpumpgobuckeyes
The more I read about the hearing, the better I feel about the situation. I think that giving back the revenue from the bowl game was Gene Smith's power play to show to the NCAA that they really have separated themselves from last season. Now, whether or not it works remains to be seen in a few weeks. I went into this investigation believing that we were going to get hammered with probation, bowl bans, and scholarship reductions. Now, it's a different story. I feel as though our punishment is going to be something like this:
- "Time already served"
Basically, the self-imposed punishments handed down by Gene Smith.
- Scholarship reductions, no more than three a year for no more than three years.
I still feel that number is high, but I think that it's a safe assumption that we will get docked a couple of scholarships here and there.
- No bowl ban
Considering the timing of this, I seriously doubt that they ban the team from post season play. If they do, it will be for next season, not this season.
I, for one, welcome our new coaching overlords.
Like I wrote earlier, I'd rather see a bowl ban this year so it won't affect future recruiting.
"It's just another case of there you are". ~ Doc (1918-2012)