Jim Tressel was forced resign following a merchandise scandal involving several football players.
/ WNWO archive
COLUMBUS -- ESPN heated up their lawsuit against Ohio State University by asking the state's Supreme Court to order the release of records that forced the resignation of former football coach Jim Tressel, and the exit of quarterback Terrelle Pryor.
ESPN says Ohio State violated state public record laws by denying requests for items related to the NCAA investigation.
"Ohio State University has properly and necessarily protected confidential student information in compliance with the mandatory provisions of FERPA," a released statement read.
Education groups are siding with the university, saying the school struck the right balance between releasing records and following federal student privacy laws.
"While the university often receives media requests that are overly broad, given Ohio's public record laws, we generally try to work with reporters to help them find the information they are seeking," university spokesman Jim Lynch said to The Lantern. "Working within the boundaries of the applicable laws."
The U.S. Department of Education says a university receiving federal funds can't release information shielded by such laws.
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