Former Auburn coach Terry Bowden said two years ago that, when he became coach in 1993, boosters were paying thousands of dollars to players. "They were paying players cash, $12,000, $15,000 to sign. All I was told to do was shake hands and say, 'Thank you. I appreciate how much you love Auburn.'" Bowden did not say whether he reported the payments to the NCAA, but claims to have put an end to it.

What is the statute of limitations for the NCAA to look into things like this?

~Adam

Adam:

This is not the first time that I have heard about Bowden saying those things, but from what I had been told, the NCAA and Auburn had determined that the allegations were baseless, made by a former Head Coach who was trying to bring down a program that had fired him. So, I do not believe that the NCAA would open up an investigation into this, unless new substantiated evidence was uncovered. The parting of ways between Auburn and Bowden was especially messy and bitter, much like Arkansas and Head Basketball Coach Nolan Richardson. Richardson made similiar allegations against Arkansas when he was fired, and the NCAA determined that there was nothing to prove the allegations.

There is a 4 year statute of limitations on NCAA infractions, unless the violation is considered "blatant." I do not know if this would fall under the blatant category, plus the NCAA already penalized Auburn for violation that took place during that period of time. So I am not sure if they could then go back and re-penalize a program if they are found to be in violation. Will be interesting to see what happens here.


P.S. Here is the link for anyone who has not read the article on this.

http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/...l/story/6646232


David
Exfballplayer

[ September 17, 2003, 08:33 AM: Message edited by: exfballplayer ]

David: Thanks for your informed input on this. According to reports here in LA, "an unspecified number of Auburn professors" and one of its former Athletic Directors have confirmed Bowden's assertions. Everyone knows these sorts of payments have taken place at various schools over the years & I wonder whether the situation now--when these things are less likely to be swept inde the rug and a tainted coach can lose not just his job but his entire career--is truly any different.

~Adam

Adam, the ringleader of those professors is Dr. Wayne Flynt. Dr. Flynt has an absolute hard-on (sorry GJ) for the Athletic department and the board of trustees. Before he retired, he lead several no-confidence votes against the board and also reported us to the Accreditation board.

He is out to bring down Bobby Lowder who is on the board of trustees and basically "runs" the athletic department.

I agree with David. We had already been punished for certain allegations during that time frame. Bowden is absolutely bitter and can't keep his damn mouth closed. Interestingly, Bowden has set himself up to have to repay Auburn in excess of $600,000 because he broke the "gag" order he has to attest to each year.

If Bowden could have kept his weenie in his pants and stayed out of the bars at Auburn, it is quite possible that he would still be the coach at Auburn. However, when you fly to a James Taylor concert in Birmingham on the Thursday night before a game on Saturday, you committment to the program and your ability to coach has to be in question.

Lastly, maybe he should have continued to pay players because he went 20-1-1 with those players and 7-4 and 3-8 with his.

Interestly, this SMACKS of Alabama. They get in trouble and want to bring down everyone with them (i.e., Tennessee and Auburn). The reason we were on probation in 1993 was because of Alabama (we moved the game from supposedly neutral DMZ at Legion Field to our home field in Auburn). This one has Bama written all over it.