Tressel suspended two games, fined $250,000

COLUMBUS - Ohio State suspended football coach Jim Tressel for two games and fined him $250,000 on Tuesday for violating NCAA rules by failing to notify the school about information he received involving two players and questionable activities involving the sale of memorabilia.

Tressel also will receive a public reprimand and must make a public apology. The NCAA is investigating and could reject the self-imposed penalties and impose additional sanctions.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110308/SPT01/303080074/Report-Tressel-won-t-lose-job

Question of the Day: If Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel knew his players were selling memorabilia?

Question of the Day: If Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel knew his players were selling memorabilia well in advance of official notification, what should be his punishment?

Writers from around Tribune Co. weigh in on the controversy surrounding the Ohio State coach. Check back throughout the day for more responses, and feel free to leave a comment of your own.

Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles Times

This is a big IF, but IF Jim Tressel knew of the allegations months in advance of the announcement he should be severely reprimanded/suspended ... and that's just for appetizers. Start with grounding him for five games next season, the same punishment his players received after being graciously/ridiculously allowed to lead their team to Sugar Bowl glory.

This story stinks, it always has, and right now down at THE Ohio State A&P, there's a huge cleanup on aisle 2. We are open-minded and all ears waiting to hear the school's official response, and suspicious of any story citing one "anonymous" source. It is so "old media" now to wait until all facts are in before pronouncing judgment, but also no downplaying the potential seriousness of the charge or what it could mean to the reputation and future of an honorable institution.

Jim Tressel and Ohio State Could Face Major Violations For Not Disclosing Memorabilia Scandal

Yahoo’s harbinger of doom has struck again. Charles Robinson and Dan Wetzel have a source who claims Jim Tressel knew about players selling memorabilia in April 2010, not December as previously claimed. If substantiated, both Tressel and Ohio State could face major NCAA violations. Emphasis on the “if substantiated.”Ohio State said it had no prior knowledge of players selling memorabilia to tattoo shop owner Edward Rife until Dec. 7, 2010, when alerted by federal officials. The Yahoo! source says “a concerned party” contacted Tressel and he “indicated that he would investigate the matter and take appropriate action.” No apparent action was taken. Both parties would be held accountable, but the degree will depend on whether Tressel informed other school officials or not.