Sports in Brief: Tressel trouble for Ohio State
In a sharply worded rebuke of Ohio State's Jim Tressel, the NCAA on Monday accused the 10-year coach of withholding information and lying to keep Buckeyes players on the field who had accepted improper benefits from the owner of a tattoo parlor.
In a sharply worded rebuke of Ohio State's
Jim Tressel
, the NCAA on Monday accused the 10-year coach of withholding information and lying to keep Buckeyes players on the field who had accepted improper benefits from the owner of a tattoo parlor.
In a "notice of allegations," the NCAA said that Tressel's actions are considered "potential major violations."
The NCAA could accept Ohio State's suggestion of sanctions - a five-game suspension and a $250,000 fine - or could levy more severe penalties. Since the NCAA says that Tressel knowingly used ineligible players, it would seem probable that the 2010 regular season would be vacated - ending the Buckeyes' run of Big Ten titles at six in a row. The NCAA could also come down hard on Tressel, compelling Ohio State to add to Tressel's suspension or fire him.
Nine of the 11 members of an NCAA panel that will help decide the Fiesta Bowl's fate over corruption allegations attended a bowl-sponsored retreat that included free meals, resort rooms, and golf outings. The nine names all showed up on a 2008 "Fiesta Frolic" attendee list. The panel is scheduled to meet with Fiesta Bowl officials this week in New Orleans, but won't make a decision on whether to revoke the bowl's license until later this spring. The Fiesta Bowl is one of four bowls that rotate hosting the Bowl Championship Series national title game.
"This is a jury of the bowl's former freeloaders," said Bryson Morgan, of Playoff PAC, which advocates switching to a playoff system to determine a college football champion.
Drexel has announced the addition of men's and women's squash as varsity programs that will begin competing next season. John White will lead both programs. White coached Franklin & Marshall the last four years.
NFL: Hall of Fame fullback Joe Perry, the first player with back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and nicknamed "The Jet" for his speed, has died of complications from dementia. He was 84. Perry was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1969 following a 16-year NFL career, 14 years with the 49ers and the other two for the Baltimore Colts. Perry still stands as San Francisco's all-time leader in yards rushing (7,344) and touchdowns rushing (50).
HOCKEY: The United States has won its third straight women's world hockey championship, beating defending Olympic champion Canada, 3-2, in overtime. Hilary Knight scored the winner, giving the U.S. team its fourth world title in the last five events.
SOCCER: Manchester City moved closer to reaching the Champions League for the first time after winning, 1-0, at Blackburn on Edin Dzeko's late goal to solidify its hold on the final qualifying place. With five matches remaining, fourth-place City is four points ahead of fifth-place Tottenham. The two teams are scheduled to meet May 10.
- Staff and wire reports