Ohio State officials are scheduled to hold a press conference at 7 p.m. today to address reports that football coach Jim Tressel knew about six of his players receiving improper benefits eight months before the university reported it to the NCAA.

The athletic department sent out a press release Tuesday afternoon stating that President E. Gordon Gee, athletic director Gene Smith and Tressel will address the media at the Jack Nicklaus Museum.

Yahoo! Sports published an article Monday alleging that Tressel was made aware of the fact that quarterback Terrelle Pryor and five other players sold memorabilia to the owner of a tattoo parlor in Columbus in April. OSU reported the violations to the NCAA on Dec. 8, 2010. The NCAA handed down five-game suspensions to five of the players on Dec. 23, 2010.

Tressel was supposed to sign copies of his book, “Life Promises for Success,” at Barnes & Noble on OSU’s campus from 7-9 p.m. The store confirmed to The Lantern moments after OSU’s announcement that Tressel’s signing has been rescheduled for Spring Quarter.

Smith and Tressel could not be reached for comment.