May 27, 2007
Two Auburn recruits had grades changed?
The Press-Register is reporting that two incoming Auburn football recruits had their grades changed, perhaps in an effort to make them eligible to play football. The NCAA Clearinghouse - which verifies grades for incoming student-atheletes - is investigating.
Mobile County (AL) School Superintendent Harold Dodge told the paper that one recruit from B.C. Rain High and one from Williamson High had "several grades" bumped up on their transcripts.
"There seems to be some variance in the scores," Dodge said. "On a first blush, it looks like either the first transcripts were really wrong" or the grades were changed for some other reason."...
Sitting at his Barton Academy desk in downtown Mobile, Dodge looked over a stack of papers, including two versions of the same transcript. He would not say which student's transcript he was reviewing, but while speaking with a reporter, he counted out four final grades "that we're concerned with."
"It's the same quarter, the same class, different grades," Dodge said.
Neither the schools nor the NCAA are releasing the students' names; however, the Press-Register has identified the students as all-state DB Ryan Williams (the only Auburn signee at B.C. Rain High) and all-state OL Nick Fairley (the only Auburn signee at Williamson High).
Williams said he was not aware of any investigation of his grades."I have never heard anything about it," Williams said Thursday afternoon. "I did extra-credit work. I never had to get any grades changed. I earned every grade I got. I know I haven't done anything wrong ... so I'm not really worried about it."
While no one is accusing Auburn of any direct involvement in changing grades for either recruit -- the grade changes appear to have occurred before either student signed with Auburn -- the allegations bring back memories of last year's reports of grade manipulation at Auburn.
Comments:
posted on May 28, 2007 10:25 AM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue said:
Careful here... there's nothing at this time that points any fingers at Auburn.
Bo Knows Auburn sucks said:
posted on May 28, 2007 11:02 PM — 68.117.221.99 — link — abuse?
Auburn being investigated by the NCAA is like people whinning about some midmajor with a terrible schedule deserving a shot for the national title...it seems to happen every year. How can the 4th best school in Alabama not find players with grades above the minimum requirements? Well, at least we know where Paul Oliver should have gone to school. And for those who are wondering which academic institutions offer a better education than Auburn college: Alabama, Troy, and Hoover High School come to mind.
Zac said:
posted on May 28, 2007 11:39 PM — 65.31.230.72 — link — abuse?
I think Tomcat said it best in another thread: Innocent until proven guilty. All that's known is grades were "changed". Were they adjusted because of an honest mistake? Who made said changes, and why? Could have been the players themselves without any assistance from Auburn what-so-ever. We know an investigation has begun. So, let's see how it pans out. We might just find out Aliens had something to do with it. Just a thought.
gatorhippy said:
posted on May 29, 2007 8:17 AM — 70.121.185.56 — link — abuse?
Calbears (#8):
But this doesn't effect Auburn...
It is all about the administration at these schools that these two athletes attended...
However two things stand out here?
1) Was the extra credit work afforded to Williams avaiable to ALL students who so desired to raise there grade?
2) Were there outside factors involved in the influence of the availability of the extra credit work?
I don't see this as an Auburn problem unless it comes out as alumni or boosters manipulating the school system on a county or local level...
posted on May 29, 2007 10:23 AM — 205.188.116.201 — link — abuse?
The love the idiot in post #9 who created his psuedonym just for this thread. He'll never post under that name again unless it's something about Auburn. It's not hard to guess to which team his allegiences lie...
Looks like these guys should major in sociology. Substantiate the charges, then we'll talk. Auburn still graduates more of it's football players than any of the other SEC schools this century.If it's found that Auburn broke the rules, then they should pay the price--just like any other school.
Bo Knows Auburn sucks said:
posted on May 29, 2007 2:42 PM — 68.117.221.99 — link — abuse?
War Eagle Atl, if you're thinking that I some kind of Alabama fan, than you are more wrong than a box of tide and a roll of toilet paper on a stick. My allegiances lie with Tra Battle's 3 interceptions at the Massacre on the Plains.
There are many people who feel that it is unnecessary to point fingers at Auburn before any true violations are discovered, but this is an athletic program that is constatly being investigated for various occurrences. Auburn has been sanctioned 3 times for major violations since 1990('91,'93,& '04) and has had its academic accredidation placed on probation. Its funny how the highest APR among public schools in America belongs to the university that graduated only 48% of its football players in 2004. I guess now we know how that was accomplished.
War Damn Russ said:
posted on May 29, 2007 3:47 PM — 208.196.60.42 — link — abuse?
First off - this happened in the Spring of 2006 - when BOTH players were Bama leans...so who is to blame if they were changed??
Secondarily, there has been an update...and by reading the below - Dodge is an idiot to have EVER had quotes in the first NON-story...and make sure you don't miss the line "the University is not part of the investigation.":
The investigation into grade changes on the transcripts of a Mobile (Ala.) Williamson High graduate could be over very soon, Mobile County Superintendent Harold Dodge said Tuesday.
And for Nick Fairley, that appears to be good news.
"We seem to be close to the end at Williamson," Dodge said. "There seems to be some strong understanding of what happened there.
"Once it's all out, it may not be irregular. I don't know yet, but on the first blush, it looks like that."
Fairley's transcripts as well as B.C. Rain's Ryan Williams' transcripts are under investigation by the Mobile County school system and the NCAA Clearinghouse, the Press-Register reported Friday.
Fairley and Williams were both first-team all-state selections in 2006 and signed scholarships in February to play football at Auburn. The University is not part of the investigation.
"It came as news to me," said Fairley. "I didn't know anything about it. I still don't know what grade they're talking about."
School system investigators were sent to both Williamson and B.C. Rain Thursday.
"I do have our security division working on it with counseling," said Dodge. "I don't want to do anything to interfere with their investigation except to say they're working and moving along quickly."
Dodge said the investigation at Williamson, where Fairley was a two-sport star, appears to be less complicated.
"Williamson seems to be better. The second one (B.C. Rain) is more difficult, " he said. "We know on what computer the changes appear to have been made, but there is a lot of access to it. It will be hard."
Williams, a recent B.C. Rain graduate who is preparing to compete in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic this weekend, said he isn't concerned with the investigation.
"I never had any grades changed so I don't have anything to worry about," he said. "I have never flunked a class. Where did I ever need a grade to be changed? I have too much integrity for someone to change my grades."
Williams said the entire ordeal seems odd to him. He and Fairley, who is also participating in the All-Star Classic, tried to find some humor in it.
"I talked to (Fairley) and we just had to laugh at the situation," said Williams. "We started talking about it and both said we weren't worried about it."
Both Williams and Fairley thought a school system employee would have contacted them about it. Instead, both learned from the newspaper.
"The (Press-Register) put that in the paper Friday. I didn't hear anything before that and haven't heard anything since," Fairley said Monday. "Nobody has even tried to contact me."
"I haven't spoken to (Dodge). No communication between them and us at all," said Williams. "All I know is something is under investigation, and the only reason I know that is the Press-Register told me. I thought someone would've told me, gave me a heads up on it.
"Why they couldn't come to me or my family and tell us personally is beyond me. They can talk to the newspaper, but not me? If it's got something to do with me, bring it to me. Don't let me find out through an outside source."
Contacting the students under investigation however, isn't normal procedure according to Dodge.
"Our investigators don't tend to do that. It tends to shut things down and we don't get a fair investigation," he said. "We don't even tell the principals.
"We were working very quietly internally and then it popped in the press to our surprise, our dismay in fact. I don't know how the newspaper got it. I was shocked (when they came in here asking about it)."
Dodge hopes to have both investigations resolved soon, although he's not putting a timetable on either.
"It could take several days. Our guys are very thorough. We have wonderfully trained internal security. They are great investigators, but it's going to be hard," he said. "I would be glad to see both of (the situations) have an explanation."
Williams and Fairley both still plan to report to Auburn June 10.
"I'm not worrying about it," said Williams. "Until they tell me otherwise, I'll be in Auburn June 10."
"It's the same for me," Fairley said. "Until somebody tells me differently, I'm reporting to Auburn June 10."
posted on May 29, 2007 4:03 PM — 64.12.116.77 — link — abuse?
So let me guess, you're the one who posted under 'Duh-burn Tigers' and probably 'Atl Falcons' in the previous Auburn thread. The mumblings are the same, so it must be you. What a stupid little coward you are to hide behind multiple fake names so no one will crack on your team when you spit your venom. Most people on here are proud of their teams. You're a little hit-and-run pansy.
Tell me again what sanctions Auburn was hit with in 2004? And before you start casting too many stones, let me leave you two words: Jan Kemp. You were probably in diapers back then, which goes a long way to substantiate your childish behavior still.
IBleedOrange said:
posted on May 29, 2007 7:40 PM — 65.107.56.104 — link — abuse?
All I have to say is that it is doubtful that Auburn had anything to do with it. Why would they go out on a limb for two 3 star recruits? Also, I've met several Auburn grads and students in my day, and I can't remember meeting a single one that was "poorly educated".
Bo Knows Auburn sucks said:
posted on May 29, 2007 10:07 PM — 68.117.221.99 — link — abuse?
War Eagle A-town, thank you for your vote of confidence, but I cannot accept credit for creating a name as awesome as Duh-burn. I only found this site a few days ago, and this is my first time posting. I like my name. I think I will keep it. I bleed red and black but puke orange and blue(either shade).
The violations in 2004 were basketball related. If you want to read about it try this: >.
You're right about me being in diapers when Jan Kemp exposed UGA, but I know the deal. Her actions produced no NCAA sanctions. What most people don't seem to understand is that her lawsuit was based on her firing because she stated that athletes were given preferential treatment, not the fact that athletes were actually given this treatment. Besides, she was the best thing to ever happen to Georgia. Since then, Georgia has gone from an average school to the best school(along with Florida) outside of Nashville in the SEC.
As far as the violations against UGA...In '97 the NCAA determined the actions were taken by an individual booster, unbeknownst to the coaching staff, and did not result in a recruiting advantage. Therefore no major sanctions were issued. As for 2004, well, f*@k Jim Harrick. He and his son have cheated at every school they have coached at. UGA removed itself from the tournament with what may have been the best basketball team they have ever had. That said, UGA has commited some violations, but has never been banned from participating in a bowl game, appearing on television, or being ranked in the coaches poll like the folks at Auburn. War Eagle.
BayouBengal said:
posted on May 30, 2007 9:57 AM — 72.149.254.106 — link — abuse?
#18- "Blah Blah Blah" War Damn Russ, are you writing a novel? This is a fan blog, so stop writing a bunch of pointless babble trying to stick up for Aurburn, no one is going to read all that crap anyways. They might come in 3rd in the west this year if they are lucky. Tommy Tupa-ware sux, and so does freakin Aurburn!
Geaux TIGERS............the real TIGERS!!!!!
AU03 said:
posted on May 30, 2007 10:33 AM — 205.255.224.10 — link — abuse?
"Eye of the Tiger"- not getting your comment. Auburn beat Florida and LSU last year. IT's hard to keep up with a team whom you defeated.
Bo, as for Georgia not ever having a TV ban- that's because the NCAA no longer uses it as punishment, since it hurts the opponents of the offender too much. UGA just picked a better time to get caught cheating, that's all.
CalBear, if you go by US News' rankings, Auburn and Alabama are even, but Auburn has been in the Top 50 public schools for 14 straight years, compared to Alabama's 6:
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060818/NEWS/608180335/1007/editorial1
AUfan4life said:
posted on May 30, 2007 1:07 PM — 69.244.208.32 — link — abuse?
News Flash Fellas... Take a look at the following article on ESPN.com today.
Allegations of potential NCAA rules violations a laughing matter? In the case of Alabama coach Nick Saban, a recent report accusing him of illegal contact with recruits seemed to humor him more than anything.
"We respect the rules and certainly have always respected the rules and will continue to do that," Saban told the Birmingham News on Tuesday at the SEC spring meetings in Destin, Fla. "And I think it's funny that it came from Miami."
The former coach of the Miami Dolphins was addressing the topic for the first time. According to reports in the Miami Herald and and on canesports.com on May 24, three south Florida junior prospects described conversations with Saban during his recruiting trip the previous week that might have exceeded NCAA rules limiting face-to-face contact with recruits.
There is an NCAA rule in place that allows only for "exchange of a greeting" between a coach and potential recruits between April 15 and May 31. Coaches are allowed to evaluate high school players at their schools during that period.
"You really can't prove what you didn't do," Saban said, according to the Birmingham newspaper.
Miami Krop junior linebacker Etienne Sabino said Saban told him he's "the big physical type of linebacker" Alabama needs.
Miami Northwestern High junior Brandon Washington said Saban asked if "my heart was in Miami." Washington has verbally committed to playing for the University of Miami Hurricanes.
Northwestern teammate Marcus Fortson said he spoke to Saban for "a few minutes" and that the coach told him Alabama "is a great place to get a degree."
When asked if the reports were inaccurate, "I said I think it's funny it came from Miami" was Saban's response. He declined to comment further.
An Alabama spokesman said last week the university would not comment on the reports. If violations occurred, they were likely secondary and wouldn't lead to significant penalties.
So...Remove the beam from your eye before you remove the splinter from mine.
Bottom line is every school deals with these matters on occasion and I mean everybody! So take it easy and support a fellow SEC school instead of tearing it down with your babblings of the past. Geeze guys have some class.
posted on May 30, 2007 4:26 PM — link — abuse?
I find it funny that Auburn fans would even consider justifying this by comparing it to Alabama. Is Alabama the standard by which Auburn should be judged?? Are you seriously suggesting that?
And while we're on the Saban subject. It's alleged by fans on the Miami board that Saban did more than just greet a player at an expo event. First, if this is proven, it would be the absolute smallest secondary violation -- no penalty. Secondly, why are Auburn fans measuring themselves against 'Bama?!?!?
If I were an Auburn homer, I would be VERY offending by other Tigers measuring AU by what the Tide does/doesn't do. Auburn deserves way better than that.
The question to ask - who changed these grades? Why? Is it something innocent? Is it something that is going to get these recruits in trouble?
At the outset, IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE AUBURN DID ANYTHING WRONG.
If I were a Tiger, I would be wanting some answers on this, before these two guys end up taking up slots that might bite AU in butt down the road.
Rammer Jammer said:
posted on May 30, 2007 4:53 PM — 199.89.170.92 — link — abuse?
Well put Kevin.
I would also like to add; not one Bama fan has posted anything on this topic... (Unless they are hiding behind a different name) So who exaxtly are you talking about when you say, "Remove the beam from your eye before you remove the splinter from mine".Why bring Bama into this???
From everything I gather, AU has nothing to worry about.ROLL TIDE
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SEMINOLE_NATION said:
posted on May 27, 2007 3:42 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?Interesting