Another four letter organization other than the NCAA is now going after Ohio State that will probably leave OSU officials yelling out four letter words.
According to the Associated Press, ESPN is filing a public records suit against the University alleging the school violated state public records law by denying requests for items related to an NCAA investigation that has led to the loss of football coach Jim Tressel and star quarterback Terrelle Pryor.
More specifically, ESPN is requesting the following in the complaint…
…a Writ of Mandamus ordering Ohio State to make available copies of all emails, letters and memos to and from Jim Tressel, Gordon Gee, Doug Archie, and/or Gene Smith with key word Sarniak since March 15, 2007, all documents and emails, letters and memos related to NCAA investigations prepared for and/or forwarded to the NCAA since 1/1/2010 related to an investigation of Jim Tressel, any and all emails or documents listing people officially barred from student-athlete pass lists (game tickets) since January 1, 2007, any report, email or other correspondence between the NCAA and Doug Archie or any other Ohio State athletic department official related to any violation (including secondary violation) of NCAA rules involving the football program, since January 1, 2005 …
The term Sarniak refers to Ted Sarniak, a businessman and reported mentor to Terrelle Pryor. Sarniak is also reportedly the lone individual who received emails from former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel about major NCAA violations committed by Ohio State players including Pryor.
Ohio State has yet to respond to the complaint. However, if OSU ends up fighting the suit it may lead to more questions on what more they are hiding especially since ESPN is seeking emails from 2007, a year before Pryor began attending OSU.
If Ohio State fights the suit are they hiding more than what has been revealed to the media? If they are what further could happen to the Big Ten powerhouse? This could potentially lead to revelations that stretch across the entire OSU Athletic Department.
Source: Associated Press, College Football Talk, NBC Sports, SportingNews
