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.
