Paid players, altered grades, whatever.
http://espn.go.com/college-football...recruiting-rules-gene-chizik-according-report
http://espn.go.com/college-football...recruiting-rules-gene-chizik-according-report
No SEC teams in the Final Four, no worries, they are still in the news
- Thread starter Mr. Poon
- Start date
AUBURN, Alabama -- Former Auburn safety Mike McNeil, who is scheduled for trial next week on charges of armed robbery, has accused the football program of multiple NCAA violations including academic fraud, recruiting violations and cash payments to players in a report.
The report details allegations of wrongdoing with interviews from McNeil, former Auburn wide receiver Darvin Adams, former defensive end Mike Blanc and former defensive end Antoine Carter and other unnamed players.
Among the allegations from Roopstigo.com:
* McNeil said he received $400 from former Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, now the head coach at Florida. Muschamp denied the allegation to AL.com through Florida officials Wednesday.
* McNeil said he had a letter grade changed from an F to a C.
* McNeil said players were provided more money than permitted under NCAA rules to spend on visiting recruits.
* Adams "confirmed he was offered financial incentives" to stay for his senior season.
* McNeil said coaches gave him $500 to entertain former Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick.
* McNeil said his grades were changed; and that the team was told as many as nine players would not be able to play in the 2010 national championship game due to academic ineligibility, but all played.
Auburn's athletic department declined to comment on the claims in the report, per a spokesman.
Blanc, reached by AL.com on Wednesday afternoon, said that he had no direct knowledge of cash payments to players. Carter, also reached by AL.com, refused to comment on any of his quotes in the report, although Carter tweeted out a seeming rebuttal later.
"Please don't remix my words," Carter tweeted, followed later by another tweet. "I Believe in Auburn and Love It #WDE."
Neither McNeil or Adams answered phone calls immediately from AL.com.
"Yeah. Me, personally, I don't have any direct knowledge of it," Blanc said. "You just hear stuff. I'm pretty sure other guys on the team that know more, like guys that were closer to Darvin and these other players I know. Darvin probably would have told those guys. I know Mike and Darvin were really cool. Maybe Darvin could have shared some information with Mike. But, me, personally, I don't know nothing factual that any guys got any money."
Later, Blanc tweeted more reaction to the story.
"Man this article is outrageous and isn't true. The media will do anything for a juicy story smh #sad," the tweet read. (smh is Twitter lingo for shaking my head.)
Asked about a quote in the article attributed to Blanc regarding Auburn finding a way to make players eligible before the national championship game, Blanc denied that he said anything.
"That's not me. I don't know where she's getting this stuff from," Blanc said. "That's definitely not me. Mike McNeil said a lot of things and when she asked me some things, I said, 'OK, I've heard that, but I don't know for sure.'"
The report was written by Roopstigo.com's founder and CEO Selena Roberts, a former New York Times columnist, senior writer for Sports Illustrated and Auburn graduate. Roberts defended her reporting when asked about Blanc's comments.
"I spoke to Mike Blanc at length and he was very clear about what he knew," Roberts said in an email to AL.com.
Former Auburn linebacker Daren Bates, who is quoted in the story talking about McNeil but presents no allegations, said he had no knowledge of any wrongdoing by Auburn, and that when he hosted a recruit, he was given the amount of money allowed by the NCAA.
In addition, the story, citing multiple players, also alleges Auburn University interfered with the Auburn police department to harass players and check up on them.
Auburn police chief Tommy Dawson, who is on leave due to health reasons, responded in full to the allegations in Roberts' article.
"I can assure you of this, I don't treat an athlete any different than any other student," Dawson said.
In the report, McNeil also alleges racial discrimination within the Auburn staff when it concerned haircuts and tattoos.
Blanc is quoted in the story as saying the coaching staff "implemented new rules and it was kind of no tolerance" and seemed to be directed at black players with tattoos and dreadlocks. Later, in an interview with AL.com, Blanc shared a different story.
"I really didn't understand it. When he first came in I heard there were going to be (rules), supposedly. They were expecting guys to cut their hair," Blanc said. "He never followed through, though."
When asked about the discrepancy in Blanc's responses, Roberts told AL.com in an email: "I don't know what his reasons are but it's not always easy to stand up for the truth."
"By the time she spoke to me, she had a bunch of things players said already," Blanc told AL.com. "A lot of things I went against. I was like, some of the things you tell me, I've heard that. But I don't have any facts behind any of that."
Former Auburn defensive back Neiko Thorpe tweeted Wednesday afternoon he was "misquoted" in Roberts' story.
"While I spoke to Selena Roberts about Mike I have just read her article & (sic) not only am I misquoted but my words are very out of context," Thorpe tweeted, in the first of two tweets. "We didn't talk about NCAA violations or recruiting. I'm proud 2 (sic) have played at Auburn & (sic) the opportunities it gave me."
Chizik's agent, Russ Campbell, said he was not aware of the story and declined comment initially.
The story centers around McNeil, one of four former players, who were arrested and charged for armed robbery in March of 2011 for allegedly robbing a trailer home.
It is unclear whether his trial, scheduled to begin next week, will be delayed following a request from his attorney Ben Hand Tuesday to withdraw from the case. Lee County Circuit Court Judge Chris Hughes is scheduled to consider the request tomorrow at 3:30 p.m., and McNeil has been ordered to appear at that time.
Of the four players -- McNeil, Antonio Goodwin, Shaun Kitchens and Dakota Mosley --“ only Goodwin has gone to trial. He was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years last April.
Kitchens' trial is scheduled to start on April 8, and Mosley is tentatively scheduled for the June criminal term.
-- AL.com reporters Brandon Marcello, Jon Solomon and Ed Enoch contributed to this story.
The report details allegations of wrongdoing with interviews from McNeil, former Auburn wide receiver Darvin Adams, former defensive end Mike Blanc and former defensive end Antoine Carter and other unnamed players.
Among the allegations from Roopstigo.com:
* McNeil said he received $400 from former Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, now the head coach at Florida. Muschamp denied the allegation to AL.com through Florida officials Wednesday.
* McNeil said he had a letter grade changed from an F to a C.
* McNeil said players were provided more money than permitted under NCAA rules to spend on visiting recruits.
* Adams "confirmed he was offered financial incentives" to stay for his senior season.
* McNeil said coaches gave him $500 to entertain former Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick.
* McNeil said his grades were changed; and that the team was told as many as nine players would not be able to play in the 2010 national championship game due to academic ineligibility, but all played.
Auburn's athletic department declined to comment on the claims in the report, per a spokesman.
Blanc, reached by AL.com on Wednesday afternoon, said that he had no direct knowledge of cash payments to players. Carter, also reached by AL.com, refused to comment on any of his quotes in the report, although Carter tweeted out a seeming rebuttal later.
"Please don't remix my words," Carter tweeted, followed later by another tweet. "I Believe in Auburn and Love It #WDE."
Neither McNeil or Adams answered phone calls immediately from AL.com.
"Yeah. Me, personally, I don't have any direct knowledge of it," Blanc said. "You just hear stuff. I'm pretty sure other guys on the team that know more, like guys that were closer to Darvin and these other players I know. Darvin probably would have told those guys. I know Mike and Darvin were really cool. Maybe Darvin could have shared some information with Mike. But, me, personally, I don't know nothing factual that any guys got any money."
Later, Blanc tweeted more reaction to the story.
"Man this article is outrageous and isn't true. The media will do anything for a juicy story smh #sad," the tweet read. (smh is Twitter lingo for shaking my head.)
Asked about a quote in the article attributed to Blanc regarding Auburn finding a way to make players eligible before the national championship game, Blanc denied that he said anything.
"That's not me. I don't know where she's getting this stuff from," Blanc said. "That's definitely not me. Mike McNeil said a lot of things and when she asked me some things, I said, 'OK, I've heard that, but I don't know for sure.'"
The report was written by Roopstigo.com's founder and CEO Selena Roberts, a former New York Times columnist, senior writer for Sports Illustrated and Auburn graduate. Roberts defended her reporting when asked about Blanc's comments.
"I spoke to Mike Blanc at length and he was very clear about what he knew," Roberts said in an email to AL.com.
Former Auburn linebacker Daren Bates, who is quoted in the story talking about McNeil but presents no allegations, said he had no knowledge of any wrongdoing by Auburn, and that when he hosted a recruit, he was given the amount of money allowed by the NCAA.
In addition, the story, citing multiple players, also alleges Auburn University interfered with the Auburn police department to harass players and check up on them.
Auburn police chief Tommy Dawson, who is on leave due to health reasons, responded in full to the allegations in Roberts' article.
"I can assure you of this, I don't treat an athlete any different than any other student," Dawson said.
In the report, McNeil also alleges racial discrimination within the Auburn staff when it concerned haircuts and tattoos.
Blanc is quoted in the story as saying the coaching staff "implemented new rules and it was kind of no tolerance" and seemed to be directed at black players with tattoos and dreadlocks. Later, in an interview with AL.com, Blanc shared a different story.
"I really didn't understand it. When he first came in I heard there were going to be (rules), supposedly. They were expecting guys to cut their hair," Blanc said. "He never followed through, though."
When asked about the discrepancy in Blanc's responses, Roberts told AL.com in an email: "I don't know what his reasons are but it's not always easy to stand up for the truth."
"By the time she spoke to me, she had a bunch of things players said already," Blanc told AL.com. "A lot of things I went against. I was like, some of the things you tell me, I've heard that. But I don't have any facts behind any of that."
Former Auburn defensive back Neiko Thorpe tweeted Wednesday afternoon he was "misquoted" in Roberts' story.
"While I spoke to Selena Roberts about Mike I have just read her article & (sic) not only am I misquoted but my words are very out of context," Thorpe tweeted, in the first of two tweets. "We didn't talk about NCAA violations or recruiting. I'm proud 2 (sic) have played at Auburn & (sic) the opportunities it gave me."
Chizik's agent, Russ Campbell, said he was not aware of the story and declined comment initially.
The story centers around McNeil, one of four former players, who were arrested and charged for armed robbery in March of 2011 for allegedly robbing a trailer home.
It is unclear whether his trial, scheduled to begin next week, will be delayed following a request from his attorney Ben Hand Tuesday to withdraw from the case. Lee County Circuit Court Judge Chris Hughes is scheduled to consider the request tomorrow at 3:30 p.m., and McNeil has been ordered to appear at that time.
Of the four players -- McNeil, Antonio Goodwin, Shaun Kitchens and Dakota Mosley --“ only Goodwin has gone to trial. He was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years last April.
Kitchens' trial is scheduled to start on April 8, and Mosley is tentatively scheduled for the June criminal term.
-- AL.com reporters Brandon Marcello, Jon Solomon and Ed Enoch contributed to this story.
Selena Roberts also broke this story :facepalm:
ournalistic Credibility
[Update III, Wednesday 1.32pm: Jason Whitlock, who was right from the start about the lacrosse case, has penned another powerful column critiquing Roberts' "credibility issues." As he observes,
Place your trust in the writer. And Roberts' reaction to the exoneration of the Duke lacrosse players calls into question her credibility. By refusing to acknowledge her mistakes in the Duke case, she creates the impression that her agenda trumps the truth.
She looks like a feminist version of Al Sharpton.
Read the entire column here.
[Update II, Tuesday, 10.56am: In today's Newsday, Neil Best discusses Roberts' defense of her writings on the lacrosse case:
Many readers have not forgotten or forgiven her strident columns for The New York Times on the Duke lacrosse scandal in 2006.
Roberts acknowledged that disgraced and disbarred district attorney Mike Nifong did a "horrible" job on the criminal case, but she said that did not alter her take on the culture behind the incident.
"That [criminal] issue is a horrible thing that should not have happened," she said. "But people want to conflate the crime and the culture. They want to say a crime did not happen, so therefore the culture that existed around that party did not happen."
Roberts' views on Nifong appear to have evolved from his having "mishandled" the case to his having done a "horrible" job on the case. She still has not been quoted anywhere as saying that there, in fact, was no case, and that Crystal Mangum's allegations were a complete hoax.
More problematic, however, is Roberts' continuing whitewashing of what she actually wrote at the time the case broke: "People want to conflate the crime and the culture. They want to say a crime did not happen, so therefore the culture that existed around that party did not happen."
As noted below, one of the first prominent figures to "conflate the crime and the culture" was Selena Roberts. Her initial column on the case (March 31, 2006, analyzed below) was riddled with factual errors, all of which made it appear as if a crime likely occurred; and, more important, was organized around a thesis that the "culture" of the team was inextricably linked to the "crime": namely, that the "culture" of the team explained why no one was willing to "snitch" on the alleged attackers.
Only as the case collapsed did Roberts evolve into the thesis that "a story doesn't have to rise to the level of a crime to rise to the level of a column." That statement, of course, is clearly true. But even a column has to be factually accurate; and even a columnist can't rewrite what she has already published. That Roberts still refuses to acknowledge her factual errors in the initial column, and continues to mislead the public about the specific thesis of her initial work on the case speaks volumes about her credibility.
After all, to quote Roberts herself, publishing is "like being in court?once you say something, you can?t just strike it.?
ournalistic Credibility
[Update III, Wednesday 1.32pm: Jason Whitlock, who was right from the start about the lacrosse case, has penned another powerful column critiquing Roberts' "credibility issues." As he observes,
Place your trust in the writer. And Roberts' reaction to the exoneration of the Duke lacrosse players calls into question her credibility. By refusing to acknowledge her mistakes in the Duke case, she creates the impression that her agenda trumps the truth.
She looks like a feminist version of Al Sharpton.
Read the entire column here.
[Update II, Tuesday, 10.56am: In today's Newsday, Neil Best discusses Roberts' defense of her writings on the lacrosse case:
Many readers have not forgotten or forgiven her strident columns for The New York Times on the Duke lacrosse scandal in 2006.
Roberts acknowledged that disgraced and disbarred district attorney Mike Nifong did a "horrible" job on the criminal case, but she said that did not alter her take on the culture behind the incident.
"That [criminal] issue is a horrible thing that should not have happened," she said. "But people want to conflate the crime and the culture. They want to say a crime did not happen, so therefore the culture that existed around that party did not happen."
Roberts' views on Nifong appear to have evolved from his having "mishandled" the case to his having done a "horrible" job on the case. She still has not been quoted anywhere as saying that there, in fact, was no case, and that Crystal Mangum's allegations were a complete hoax.
More problematic, however, is Roberts' continuing whitewashing of what she actually wrote at the time the case broke: "People want to conflate the crime and the culture. They want to say a crime did not happen, so therefore the culture that existed around that party did not happen."
As noted below, one of the first prominent figures to "conflate the crime and the culture" was Selena Roberts. Her initial column on the case (March 31, 2006, analyzed below) was riddled with factual errors, all of which made it appear as if a crime likely occurred; and, more important, was organized around a thesis that the "culture" of the team was inextricably linked to the "crime": namely, that the "culture" of the team explained why no one was willing to "snitch" on the alleged attackers.
Only as the case collapsed did Roberts evolve into the thesis that "a story doesn't have to rise to the level of a crime to rise to the level of a column." That statement, of course, is clearly true. But even a column has to be factually accurate; and even a columnist can't rewrite what she has already published. That Roberts still refuses to acknowledge her factual errors in the initial column, and continues to mislead the public about the specific thesis of her initial work on the case speaks volumes about her credibility.
After all, to quote Roberts herself, publishing is "like being in court?once you say something, you can?t just strike it.?
AUBURN, Alabama -- Citing his program's record in NCAA investigations, former Auburn coach Gene Chizik released a statement Thursday vehemently denying the allegations presented by former safety Mike McNeil in a Roopstigo.com report.
Chizik's statement takes aim at the reporting done by Roopstigo.com founder Selena Roberts, saying the story's narrative doesn't match the facts.
"Unfortunately, Ms. Roberts? story is long on accusation and inference, but short on facts and logic," Chizik said.
Chizik follows by raising questions about McNeil's motives, Roberts' reporting, and denying the allegations one by one, saying he ran his leadership of the program with "the highest level of integrity and accountability."
"During my time as Auburn?s head coach, I never authorized, instructed or directed anyone to change any player?s grade or provide any type of illegal payment to any student-athlete," Chizik said. "Likewise, I am not aware of any alleged grade change or illegal payment by any member of my coaching staff, support staff or anyone else."
GENE CHIZIK'S FULL STATEMENT
"During my tenure at Auburn, the NCAA conducted a multi-year investigation into the Auburn football program that they called ?fair and thorough.? The NCAA focused intently on widespread accusations about Auburn players being paid and other alleged recruiting violations. The NCAA conducted 80 interviews. In October 2011, the NCAA rejected ?rampant public speculation online and in the media.? Unfortunately, the recent story published by Selena Roberts is more of the same. It once again portrays Auburn University, current and former coaches, professors, fans, supporters and community officials in a false light.
Unfortunately, Ms. Roberts? story is long on accusation and inference, but short on facts and logic. It is noteworthy that the story comes just days before a player mentioned most prominently in the article is set to go to trial for felony armed robbery. The statements are very generalized accusations devoid of substance. During my time as Auburn?s head coach, I never authorized, instructed or directed anyone to change any player?s grade or provide any type of illegal payment to any student-athlete. Likewise, I am not aware of any alleged grade change or illegal payment by any member of my coaching staff, support staff or anyone else.
As for logic, the notion that the conduct inferred by Ms. Roberts was occurring under the NCAA?s nose, at the very same time the NCAA is conducting its thorough investigation, lacks merit. Further, the notion that there was ever an attempt to sabotage any Auburn student-athlete?s attempt to play professional football is outrageous. Auburn?s success in transitioning student-athletes to the NFL benefits both the student-athlete and the Auburn program.
I remain part of the Auburn family and take these attacks on myself, the University and community seriously. During my time at Auburn, the administrators, professors and academic staff were of the highest integrity. Additionally, the inference that there was academic support staff that worked together with professors to change grades is absurd. As an Auburn resident, I take great pride in the quality and integrity of our police department. They enforce the law equally and fairly and my dealings with police Chief Tommy Dawson and his staff have been nothing short of excellent. He has handled many high profile cases with the upmost integrity and professionalism. To imply anything otherwise is simply wrong.
If there is a sad truth here, it is that there are no repercussions for bloggers who blast out widespread, venomous allegations and inferences in such an irresponsible manner. To make bold and outrageous conclusions on such thin support is a travesty.
During my tenure as Auburn?s head coach, we kept the well-being of our student- athletes at the forefront of every decision. We ran our program with the highest level of integrity and accountability. Period. I make absolutely no apologies for that. I stand firm in my statements, my support of Auburn University, its student- athletes (present and former), faculty, staff and community officials. As I stated during the NCAA investigation, I am comforted knowing that the truth always prevails."
For more news and notes on Auburn football, check out the Auburn football page, and don't forget to follow the Tigers on Twitter:
Chizik's statement takes aim at the reporting done by Roopstigo.com founder Selena Roberts, saying the story's narrative doesn't match the facts.
"Unfortunately, Ms. Roberts? story is long on accusation and inference, but short on facts and logic," Chizik said.
Chizik follows by raising questions about McNeil's motives, Roberts' reporting, and denying the allegations one by one, saying he ran his leadership of the program with "the highest level of integrity and accountability."
"During my time as Auburn?s head coach, I never authorized, instructed or directed anyone to change any player?s grade or provide any type of illegal payment to any student-athlete," Chizik said. "Likewise, I am not aware of any alleged grade change or illegal payment by any member of my coaching staff, support staff or anyone else."
GENE CHIZIK'S FULL STATEMENT
"During my tenure at Auburn, the NCAA conducted a multi-year investigation into the Auburn football program that they called ?fair and thorough.? The NCAA focused intently on widespread accusations about Auburn players being paid and other alleged recruiting violations. The NCAA conducted 80 interviews. In October 2011, the NCAA rejected ?rampant public speculation online and in the media.? Unfortunately, the recent story published by Selena Roberts is more of the same. It once again portrays Auburn University, current and former coaches, professors, fans, supporters and community officials in a false light.
Unfortunately, Ms. Roberts? story is long on accusation and inference, but short on facts and logic. It is noteworthy that the story comes just days before a player mentioned most prominently in the article is set to go to trial for felony armed robbery. The statements are very generalized accusations devoid of substance. During my time as Auburn?s head coach, I never authorized, instructed or directed anyone to change any player?s grade or provide any type of illegal payment to any student-athlete. Likewise, I am not aware of any alleged grade change or illegal payment by any member of my coaching staff, support staff or anyone else.
As for logic, the notion that the conduct inferred by Ms. Roberts was occurring under the NCAA?s nose, at the very same time the NCAA is conducting its thorough investigation, lacks merit. Further, the notion that there was ever an attempt to sabotage any Auburn student-athlete?s attempt to play professional football is outrageous. Auburn?s success in transitioning student-athletes to the NFL benefits both the student-athlete and the Auburn program.
I remain part of the Auburn family and take these attacks on myself, the University and community seriously. During my time at Auburn, the administrators, professors and academic staff were of the highest integrity. Additionally, the inference that there was academic support staff that worked together with professors to change grades is absurd. As an Auburn resident, I take great pride in the quality and integrity of our police department. They enforce the law equally and fairly and my dealings with police Chief Tommy Dawson and his staff have been nothing short of excellent. He has handled many high profile cases with the upmost integrity and professionalism. To imply anything otherwise is simply wrong.
If there is a sad truth here, it is that there are no repercussions for bloggers who blast out widespread, venomous allegations and inferences in such an irresponsible manner. To make bold and outrageous conclusions on such thin support is a travesty.
During my tenure as Auburn?s head coach, we kept the well-being of our student- athletes at the forefront of every decision. We ran our program with the highest level of integrity and accountability. Period. I make absolutely no apologies for that. I stand firm in my statements, my support of Auburn University, its student- athletes (present and former), faculty, staff and community officials. As I stated during the NCAA investigation, I am comforted knowing that the truth always prevails."
For more news and notes on Auburn football, check out the Auburn football page, and don't forget to follow the Tigers on Twitter:
- Mar 19, 2006
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it's not a question of who is cheating..
the question will always be ..
"who will be the next school to get caught in the Semi Pro World of college football."
the question will always be ..
"who will be the next school to get caught in the Semi Pro World of college football."
As good as it can be said,,,everybody does it,,,Its just to what degree and if they can outrun the NCAA.Its like a friend of mine said that coaches a division 1 program "You sign the guaranteed contract that will get you to the finish line,and see what happens."Once that money is in the account,its hard to get it back. If you win you get more money,if you lose,you got the guarantee.How many coaches have ever gotten caught and had to return any money?
Love that people keeping taking swings at Auburn and striking out. Stay cute, media
ESPN lost any credibility they had left as a decent news outlet when they ran a story about Auburn players smoking spice... A legal drug you could buy at every gas station in America, at the time our players were doing it.
Next thing you know ESPN will have "5 Auburn Players Caught Smoking Cigarettes" on the bottom line
ESPN lost any credibility they had left as a decent news outlet when they ran a story about Auburn players smoking spice... A legal drug you could buy at every gas station in America, at the time our players were doing it.
Next thing you know ESPN will have "5 Auburn Players Caught Smoking Cigarettes" on the bottom line
