Ohio State football vacates 2010 wins
Ohio State players hold up the Sugar Bowl trophy after beating Arkansas, 31-26, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. (Jan. 4, 2011) Credit: AP
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State is vacating its wins from the 2010 football season, including its share of the Big Ten championship and the Buckeyes' victory over Arkansas in the 2011 Sugar Bowl.
Responding to the NCAA's investigation of a memorabilia-for-cash scandal that cost former coach Jim Tressel his job and led to star quarterback Terrelle Pryor leaving school, the university also said Friday it is waiving a $250,000 fine imposed on Tressel and changing his resignation to a retirement. The move contradicts a comment university president Gordon Gee made last month when he said Tressel "will pay the fine."
Through the school, the ex-Buckeyes coach said that he is taking responsibility for the NCAA inquiry, which developed after it was learned Tressel failed to report players receiving improper benefits.
Tressel will attend Ohio State's Aug. 12 hearing before the NCAA infractions committee, the former coach's attorney said Friday. The university also is putting the football program on probation for two years.
The NCAA still could impose tougher sanctions, such as a ban on postseason play and a reduction in scholarships in the wake of the August hearing.
-- AP
