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Ohio State's Clarett Suspended for Season

Posted on: Wednesday, 10 September 2003, 06:00 CDT

Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett, accused of lying to NCAA and school investigators, will be suspended for the entire season.

"This is a sad day," Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger said Wednesday as he announced the penalty.

Scott Schiff, Clarett's attorney, said Ohio State will not take away Clarett's scholarship, but he may not stay at the school.

"He's considering his options right now," Schiff said.

Clarett, his mother and Schiff met earlier Wednesday with Geiger.

Clarett had been suspended from the team while the NCAA and Ohio State investigated his finances. Ohio State has been working for more than two weeks on a response to "several pages" of allegations sent by the NCAA to the university.

Ohio State can appeal for Clarett's reinstatement after the year suspension is complete.

"We hope the NCAA decides that the penalties are sufficient," Geiger said.

Clarett set Ohio State freshman records last season with 1,237 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.

His last carry for the Buckeyes ranks among the most memorable in school history. He scored on a 5-yard run in the second overtime to give Ohio State a 31-24 victory over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl and its first national championship in 34 years.

"It's very difficult on them," said former NFL star Jim Brown, who spoke to the Clarett's after the meeting. "They're torn between so many emotions. Really, just trying to follow the process, do the right thing and weigh their options."

After the meeting with Geiger, Michelle Clarett was asked if her son was considering transferring to another school.

"Nothing has been decided if we go, if we stay, if we dance or not," she said. "So to ask that question and expect a black-and-white answer, you cannot have one."

Schiff said he was troubled that Clarett is not permitted to appeal the NCAA penalties. The association's rules only permit a school to appeal.

"The most important thing I think is that the inherent problem with the NCAA procedures is the lack of due process and the lack of any procedure for the student-athlete himself to appeal the NCAA findings," Schiff said.

Geiger said before each season Ohio State football players are presented a copy of NCAA Bylaw 10 which deals with ethical conduct and not lying to NCAA investigators.

"You play by the rules, you live by the rules," Geiger said.

Geiger said Clarett was guilty of 14 violations of the ethical-conduct bylaw and two violations of receiving preferential treatment or benefits because he is an athlete.

Geiger said Clarett would be required to make a donation to a charity of his choice equal to the amount he received in benefits.

Clarett's mother did not return a phone message seeking comment on the suspension.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said he would not stand in the way and would recommend that the university grant Clarett a release from his scholarship if Clarett asked for one.

Clarett was charged Tuesday with misdemeanor falsification for lying about items stolen from his car. If convicted, Clarett would face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, but probably would get probation.

Unrelated to the suspension, Clarett also is being investigated by an Ohio State panel looking into allegations of academic improprieties involving athletes.

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