Ohio State University received notice of Allegations from the NCAA last week regarding Jim Tressel’s knowledge of violations commented by five of his players.   The NCAA alleges that Tressel lied to hide violations by players who traded memorabilia for cash and tattoos.  In a “notice of allegations” sent to the school, the NCAA attests the alleged violations relating to the coach are considered “potential major violations.”   The NCAA says Tressel “falsely attested” that he reported all knowledge of NCAA violations to the school.

Ohio State must go before the NCAA’s committee on infractions Aug. 12.  A notice of allegations is nothing more than a letter from the IRS that says we are going to audit you.  While not pleasant, everyone knew it was coming.  Yet Jim Tressel is quite secure in his job.

Tressel has admitted he knew in April 2010 that some of his players were involved with a local tattoo-parlor owner and were trading memorabilia for cash and tattoos. The players were suspended in December of 2010 for the first five games this fall, as was Tressel for not reporting the violations to his Ohio State superiors.

Tressel signed an annual NCAA certificate of compliance form indicating he knew of no violations and had reported to the school any knowledge of possible violations. This form is required of all college coaches, officials and administrators. Tressel’s contract also requires that he share any information he has pertaining to known or potential NCAA violations.

On January 4, 2011 in the midst of his players’ controversy, Ohio State beat Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.  Tressel and his players offered the victory to their fans that supported and believed in them.  They professed to have learned from their mistakes.

Really? Because at that point Tressel was still playing the victim.  He talked about why they would have done it, but how they should have known better. And I quote from his press conference  “I suppose that would be something rattling around inside the head of each of them individually. We all have a little sensor within us, ‘Well, I’m not sure if I should be doing this.”’  What was your sensor saying Jim while you were covering up your own involvement and publicly seeking sympathy?  There are so many people here hurt in this situation.  It angers me to see fan response that excuses it away.  The fact of the matter is if had he come out when the players did, sadly, he probably would have been forgiven, but he continued to lie and let his players take the fall.  In no way am I condoning the players’ behavior, in fact they should have been ruled ineligible for the Sugar Bowl. Had the violations been reported properly, Ohio State would not have been in the Sugar Bowl.    The defense for these players has been that they were in desperate need of money and lacked guidance.  Having witnessed the recruiting process first hand, I am sure that Jim Tressel sat in each of those living rooms offering such guidance and told each one of those families he would be like a father to those boys.  Another Jim Tressel lie.  Good parents are good examples.  Tressel gave the example to lie when you get caught.  Only tell the truth when there is no other option.  Is this a good man?  Is this the man that college football has given a pass on players like Maurice Claret?  This is acceptable?  At their core athletics are to teach us how to be better people, how to take responsible within a group, how to trust and be trusted.

As an Arkansas Alumni it angers me that someone like Jim Tressel and his five suspended players took home the Sugar Bowl trophy over players like Arkansas DJ Williams.  DJ has been plastered everywhere by news outlets using him as an example of how to be, but guess what is not?  He is not a champion, and that’s all that anybody seems to be worried about.  It is ironic that the decision to let the Ohio State players to participate in the Sugar Bowl came down to money because it certainly did not help OSU sell anymore tickets.  To say that Arkansas fans outnumbered and outspent OSU fans is a gross understatement.  Arkansas memorabilia was sold out Jan 2, but Jan 5th OSU still had an abundance of merchandise all over New Orleans.  I would like to think in a perfect world that was a protest, but we all know that is not true.  Honestly Ohio State fans, if this were happening at Michigan, you would be as outraged as the rest of us!