Ohio State Faces Failure To Monitor Charge, Self-Imposes Scholarship Restrictions

Ohio State University released a supplemental notice of allegations (NOA) received from the NCAA on Thursday outlining their findings related to OSU booster Robert “Bobby” DiGeronimo. That notice includes a notification of a possible Failure to Monitor charge, which could result in futher punishment against the football program.

DiGeronimo is said to have paid nine active players a total of $2,405 in improper benefits. Specifically, DiGeronimo paid five athletes a combined total of $1,605 for work not performed at Independence Excavating and he paid four athletes a combined total of $800 for attending his Cornerstone of Hope charity event.

According to the release, Posey will have to repay a booster $720 for “work not performed.” Posey also accepted $100 in golf fees, which the NCAA considers preferential treatment. The other three players, Hall, Fellows, and Herron will also have to repay benefits for work not performed. Hall wil have to pay back $230, while Herron and Fellows will have to pay back $290. The suspensions for Posey and Herron are in addition to the previous five game suspension that each are already serving.

In DeVier Posey’s case, this means he will be suspended for 10 of 12 total games during the 2011 season. Posey will get to play one game at home against Penn State and the annual match up with the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor.

Fickell said that Miller was “dinged up” during the week and was unable to practice every day.

There were reports that Miller attended the same charity event that resulted in the suspensions, but Rabinowitz hears that isn’t the case.

To make a long story short, three Ohio State players were suspended for two games, and a booster is taking responsibility despite having no idea what happened.

For more, visit Ohio State blog Along The Olentangy.

Now, in anticipation of the Scandal Bowl, otherwise known as OSU’s matchup against Miami Sept. 17, Hall, a running back, and defensive backs Brown and Howard have all been reinstated for this Saturday’s tilt, a boon to a Buckeyes team that, despite its No. 17 ranking, can use all the help it can get after squeaking by Toledo.

For more on the now less depleted Buckeyes, visit Along the Olentagy.

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith talked to the Associated Press prior to the team’s game at Toledo on Saturday, updating the media on what has become a bit of a convoluted situation.

“No, I’m not confident,” Smith told the AP. “We do have to provide some more information to the NCAA. We’ll start that process tomorrow. We’ve got some meetings tomorrow and Monday, and we’ll get them the additional information they want and then go from there.”

The three Ohio State Buckeye football players suspended for the season opener against Akron have not yet been reinstated by the NCAA, the school announced Friday in a statement.

From Ohio State’s official statement:

Well, at least it’s not tattoos. The three Ohio State players who received a one-game suspension for taking impermissible benefits were not swallowed up in the memorabilia-based NCAA investigation that hit the Buckeyes this past offseason. Instead, Jordan Hall, Travis Howard and Corey Brown will have to sit-out Ohio State’s season-opener after receiving less than $300 worth of impermissible benefits at a charity event.

What did the players receive? Gift bags, of course!