OSU President: Despite Resignation, Tressel Will Still Pay $250K Fine
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- On Thursday, Ohio State president Gordon Gee confirmed that NCAA investigators have left the university's campus after reviewing allegations that football players received improper benefits, including the selling or trading memorabilia.
Revelations about the tattoo deals ultimately led to football coach Jim Tressel's resignation under pressure on Memorial Day. The NCAA also is investigating whether players received preferential treatment when buying cars.
Gee also confirmed that, despite leaving the university, Tressel would still pay a $250,000 fine for breaking NCAA rules.
"He will pay the fine," Gee said. University spokeswoman Shelly Hoffman added that details of the payment were still being worked out.
Gee said NCAA investigators talked to individuals but wouldn't comment on who was interviewed or what other action was taken.
"We can't report on who they've talked to and what they've done, because that is an NCAA investigation," Gee said at an on-campus event.
Ohio State will go before the NCAA's committee on infractions on Aug. 12.
Gee, in his second stint as head of Ohio State, one of the country's largest universities, said he is now focused on Sunday's graduation, which the university says will be Ohio State's largest spring commencement ever, with nearly 9,700 diplomas awarded.
U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, a native of southwest Ohio, is the commencement speaker.
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