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Ohio State University WAS on probation until March 2009

Now, I realize that the NCAA has already deemed judgement on the discounted tattoo's that Pryor, Herron, Posey, Thomas and Whiting received- in which case, the NCAA helped to make tOSU's situation an "eligibility" issue. Read: not a "non-compliance" issue. As we all know, the NCAA categorically reinstated those players so that they could play in their Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas, but "punished" them by making them ineligible for the first 5 games of this upcoming season. This is where things get weird. . .

. . . .because, it doesn't take much to find out that TattooGate took place towards the end of the 2008/'09 season and the early part of the 2009/'10 college football season. This would put tOSU right smack dab in the third and final year of the 3-year probationary period stemming from penalties arising from OSU basketball player, Boban Savovic's infractions case of receiving improper benefits under ex-Coach Jim O'Brien's tenure.

To some, including the NCAA- the Tattoo 5 thing might be water under the bridge- meaning, the NCAA might NOT elect to revisit the actual infractions committed by those players who received discounted tattoos and sold off team equipment as part of memorabilia items that they profited from. But even still, in light of Coach Jim Tresel's new allegations surrounding non-compliance rules violations regarding the same 5 players- and the fact that his acts, as well as the players took place during a time that OSU was on probation- shouldn't the Ohio State University be looking at Lack of Institutional Control charges right about now? In the least, they should be facing Failure to Monitor charges.

They had players receiving improper benefits (they just weren't properly educated, right?) and a head coach who knowing lied to the NCAA (report) and school administrators (totally non-compliant related issues) and Ohio State has self-reported numerous secondary violations in recent years.

I don't dislike the Buckeyes in any way, shape or form, but if the NCAA doesn't delve into the deeper issues surrounding their athletic program- then they should have no authority running college athletic rules and compliance enforcement WHATSOEVER!

[edit] Here is a late-entry link to this post regarding the Tattoo 5 scandal that rocked tOSU late last year. I'll highlight two parts of it:

"Pryor and four teammates were suspended Thursday by the NCAA for the first five games of next season for selling championship rings, jerseys and awards. They also received improper benefits – from up to two years ago – from the tattoo parlor and its owner." -1

"'These are significant penalties based on findings and information provided by the university,' Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs, said in a statement.

Lennon said a game was added to the usual four-game penalty because the players did not "immediately disclose the violations when presented with the appropriate rules education."

There are seven full-time staffers and two interns in Ohio State's compliance department. [OSU A.D. Gene] Smith said they were complicit in the violations because they didn't make it "explicit" to players they weren't permitted to receive such benefits." -2

[second edit] On the NCAA.org page, go to FAQ sidebar and highlight the pertinent listing under LOIC/FTM- I found this gem. It should, but won't apply to ex-Coach Jim Tressel:

Can individuals be charged with a lack of institutional control or failure to monitor?

Yes. Coaches and staff members can be held personally responsible for failing to adequately monitor and exercise appropriate control over rules compliance in an athletics department or within a sport program. NCAA bylaws require head coaches to promote an atmosphere for compliance and to monitor the rules compliance of those who report to them. (straight from the website)

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Conquest Chronicles' writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Conquest Chronicles' writers or editors.

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