Ohio State University officials and former coach Jim Tressel appeared before an NCAA infractions committee for about four hours on Friday, answering questions related to a tattoo and memorabilia scandal that rocked the football program this summer.
The hearing at a downtown hotel began promptly at 8:30 a.m. and ended at about 12:30 p.m.
The NCAA committee is expected to take eight to 12 weeks before announcing whether the school will face additional penalties.
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith addressed the media briefly after the hearing, saying the committee had "numerous relevant questions" about issues in the case.
He said university officials detailed their response to the allegations, including its reasons for self-imposed penalties that included forfeiting all wins from the 2010 season.
"Consistent with vacating the 2011 Sugar Bowl, and in addition to our previously announced corrective and punitive actions, we also shared with the committee our decision to forfeit our share of the Big Ten's payment for having played in that game," Smith said.
VIDEO: Watch Smith's Statement | SPECIAL SECTIONS: NCAA Investigation | Ohio State Football
According to Smith, the university's share totaled $338,811.
Neither Smith nor any of the other officials took questions on Friday.
Ohio State was expected to make the case that Tressel alone among school officials broke NCAA bylaws when he learned some of his players had accepted improper benefits from a Columbus tattoo-parlor owner and then declined to tell Ohio State or NCAA officials for more than nine months.
Tressel and his attorney attended Friday's hearing voluntarily. Although Tressel did not speak to the media, he issued a statement that said he had an open and constructive exchange with the committee.
He also issued another apology to Ohio State fans.
"Again, I would like to apologize to the Buckeye Nation, most especially to the players, staff and fans who remain so dear to me," the statement read.
University president Gordon Gee and current head coach Luke Fickell also attended the hearing. Neither spoke afterward.
Through a statement issued Friday by the university, Gee said the committee treated the Ohio State contingent fairly and allowed its members time to share perspective.
"Throughout, we have been determined to do what is right in responding to the information we discovered," the statement read. "As we move forward, I am committed to ensuring that The Ohio State University is a model for other colleges and universities. Our institution expects nothing less."
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