Jim Tressel and the NCAA: A timeline
Published: Tuesday, March 08, 2011, 10:14 PM
Updated: Tuesday, March 08, 2011, 10:33 PM

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2011/03/jim_tressel_and_the_ncaa_a_tim.html

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Reviewing the Ohio State coach's brushes with the NCAA rulebook:

At Youngstown State

Feb. 16, 2000: YSU self-imposes sanctions, which the NCAA approves, on Tressel's football program after a two-year investigation finds improper payments to a football player by a member of the school's board of trustees. As part of the sanctions, YSU vacated six scholarships over a three-year period and reduced its number of paid recruiting visits. Michael Monus, former YSU board chairman, was found to have provided nearly $10,000 and the use of automobiles to Ray Isaac, who was in the program from 1988 to '92. Monus and Isaac were banned from any participation in YSU athletics. The university's report to the NCAA said no one else at the university had any knowledge at the time of the Monus and Isaac arrangement.

At Ohio State

July 12, 2003: The New York Times quotes a teaching assistant at Ohio State as saying running back Maurice Clarett received "preferential treatment." She says he walked out of a midterm exam but ended up passing the class after the professor gave him an oral exam.

July 29, 2003: Ohio State confirms the NCAA is investigating Clarett's claim that more than $10,000 in clothing, CDs, cash and stereo equipment was stolen in April from a 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that Clarett had borrowed from a local dealership.

Sept. 9, 2003: Clarett charged with misdemeanor falsification on the police report on the theft. The charge carries a penalty ranging from probation to six months in jail and $1,000 fine.

Sept. 10, 2003: Then-athletic director Andy Geiger announces Clarett is suspended for the season. Geiger said Clarett received special benefits worth thousands of dollars from a family friend and repeatedly misled investigators.

Dec. 17, 2003: Ohio State says a university committee finds no evidence to support allegations of academic misconduct by athletes, including Clarett.

Dec. 20, 2004: Troy Smith suspended for 2004 Alamo Bowl, and eventually for 2005 season opener, for accepting about $500 from a booster.

Dec. 28, 2004: Ohio State announces it will sanction a booster who gave money to quarterback Troy Smith.

Early 2009: Between the end of the 2008-09 season and early in the 2009-10 season, players Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams and Solomon Thomas sell memorabilia for a total of $7,050 to the owner of a Columbus tattoo parlor. The merchandise includes 2008 Big Ten championship rings, Herron's jersey, the gold pants charm Pryor received for beating Michigan and Pryor's 2009 Fiesta Bowl Sportsmanship Award. Herron, Posey, Thomas and linebacker Jordan Whiting also receive discounted tattoos.

November 2009: The Ohio State compliance office goes into more detail about players not being allowed to resell items such as championship rings and jerseys given to them by the school. The players realize they have violated an NCAA rule with their previous sale, but stay silent.

April 2010: Tressel receives e-mails saying some of his players broke NCAA rules by selling memorabilia but keeps the information to himself.

Dec. 7, 2010: U.S. Attorney's office discovers Ohio State memorabilia in a raid on the tattoo parlor and home of the owner.

Dec. 8, 2010: Attorney's office informs the Ohio State Athletic Department of the discovery.

Dec. 9-15, 2010: Ohio State starts what Athletic Director Gene Smith called "investigation planning."

Dec. 16, 2010: Ohio State interviews the players involved.

Dec. 17, 2010: Ohio State tells the NCAA and Big Ten that it plans to self-report violations.

Dec. 19, 2010: Ohio State submits the report.

Dec. 21, 2010: NCAA conducts phone interviews with the players involved; the Buckeyes practice for the last time before breaking for Christmas.

Dec. 22, 2010: NCAA makes its decision, ruling the five players ineligible for the first five games of 2011 and Whiting ineligible for the first game of 2011. All remain eligible for the Sugar Bowl.

Dec. 23, 2010: Ohio State calls the players and informs them of the ruling and holds a news conference.

Jan. 4, 2011: Ohio State wins the Sugar Bowl, 31-26, over Arkansas with a full roster.

Monday: An Yahoo Sports report says Tressel knew in April 2010 of possible NCAA violations involving players selling memorabilia to owner of a tattoo parlor.

Tuesday: Ohio State suspends Tressel for two games and fines him $250,000 for having knowledge in April about players who sold the merchandise and failing to notify the university. Tressel also must attend an NCAA compliance seminar. OSU became aware of this situation Jan. 13 and notified the NCAA on Feb. 3. The NCAA might accept or alter OSU's self-imposed penalties, according to AD Gene Smith.

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