that sword cuts both ways, Chaos.

Most rival fans have already convicted and sentenced Newton. Where was your question then? :yelwink2:

So you mean to tell me that you've never made a judgment or formed an opinion on a situation until some sort of governing body made their determination? Hard sell, my friend.

Never is a strong word, but no .... I learned a long time ago that opinions are not facts, and assumptions don't equal evidence.

Only a fool bets the ranch on drawing to an inside straight ....:thumb:

IF the NCAA hasn't sent the LOI, it means once again they've broken their own bylaws. They explicitly say when they begin investigating, they send a notice to the school they are doing to and it's in the form of a letter of inquiry.

(FWIW, it's being reported the NCAA has been in Montgomery interviewing people about Cam the last few days...I read over the email exchange last evening that even went into detail about which investigator was there. This isn't two average Joe's exchanging emails...it's an exchange between two media members.)

I've got my suspicions about what Fox is reporting. Where did they get that information? It's either from the NCAA or Auburn, neither of which is supposed to be commenting on an ongoing investigation.

Honestly, and this has nothing to do with a rivalry, but I have serious doubts whether the general public will get a forthright answer from the powers that be. An FOIA request was filed about NCAA dealings and that hasn't been responded to as of today. There was a serious case of "stonewalling the media" back in the 90's when it came to NCAA matters.

One last point about the LOI. It's a step in their process but doesn't carry the weight the NOA would. We all know there is an investigation still going and we are in what, the tenth month now?

Sure, but you know the old saying: "Where there's smoke, there's fire."

No one outside of the AU nation thinks the odds are comparable.

and what if the investigation surrounding Cam isn't about Auburn, but is instead about a different SEC West program? :yelwink2:

Here's another article about this topic...

NCAA Investigation of Auburn Continues



Outkickthecoverage.com has learned that the NCAA's continuing probe of Auburn University's football program led NCAA investigators to Montgomery, Alabama in the last week of June. NCAA investigator Jackie Thurnes checked in to the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Montgomery and conducted interviews in conference rooms there. Thurnes investigation dealt with continuing issues surrounding the eligibilty of Cam Newton and other Auburn players implicated in pay-for-play scandals. This revelation comes on the heels of the recent New York Times report that at the SEC's spring meetings in SanDestin, Florida, Auburn coach Gene Chizik confronted an NCAA investigator and demanded to know whether the NCAA's investigation was complete. The NCAA representative told Chizk the investigation was not complete, but until now no media entity had provided details about the ongoing probe for months.
The NCAA investigation has now stretched into its tenth month, leaving Auburn and SEC officials chastened. In SanDestin at the SEC spring meetings, Florida SEC Commissioner Mike Slive told me that there was no doubt the NCAA's timeframe often conflicted with the immediacy of media coverage. That dichotomy, between media coverage of allegations and tangible proof of wrongdoing, leaves programs dwelling in a perpetual cloud of impropriety. Often that cloud can impact recruiting, a point that was driven home to me by Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley in SanDestin. Indeed, it was Dooley's questioning of the NCAA investigator in SanDestin that led to Chizik's insistence on whether the NCAA had completed its investigation.
The NCAA's ten-month investigation is further complicated by the continuing fount of allegations, many untrue, levied by Alabama fans in the state. These allegations have thrust ordinary citizens into the forefront of the rumor machine. One such individual, Thomas Buckelew, a tailor at Buckelew's Clothing for Men in Montgomery, Alabama, finds himself buffeted by allegations that he provided high-priced suits to Cam Newton at reduced costs. The very suits, you guessed it, that Newton wore at the Heisman ceremony. According to sources, Newton's suits, ties included, cost in excess of $4,000 each. NCAA investigator Jackie Thurnes was informed of this allegation, and the NCAA has spent time investigating its validity.
Since providing the suits at a reduced rate, if proven, would constitute an improper benefit and hence an NCAA violation, the NCAA has to take each allegation seriously. Indeed, last week Georgia Tech's 2009 ACC title was stripped for a mere $312 in improper clothing benefits. In a state as football crazed as Alabama, with fans as passionate as Alabama and Auburn, how in the world do you determine what allegations have any merit and which do not? Particulary since we're talking about a state where, in the wake of the poisioning of the Toomer's Trees, truth is often stranger than any fiction.
What, if any, truth there is to the reported discount remains unclear. Two weeks ago when reached for comment by outkickthecoverage.com, Bucklew acknowledged the he knew Cam and had worked with him but then stated, "I'd rather not get into any of it, but I have not talked to anyone with the NCAA about Cam (Newton)."
Reached again on Monday morning Bucklew reiterated that he had not spoken with the NCAA, but stated, "Any issues have been taken care of." He went on to stay, "There's absolutely nothing I could add to the story."
Then, with a chuckle, Buckelew said, "I honestly hope it (the attention and rumors) keeps up. It's been great for business."
Only in Alabama.




NCAA Investigation of Auburn Continues : Out Kick The Coverage

too easy ....

NCAA Manual Rule 16.1.7.2

16.1.7.2 Established Regional, National or International Awards. It is permissible for an outside organization
(other than a professional sports organization) to provide actual and necessary expenses for a student athlete
to travel to a banquet designed to recognize the individual’s accomplishments as an athlete in order for the
student-athlete to receive an established regional, national or international award (permitted by NCAA legislation).
The outside organization also may provide actual and necessary expenses for the student-athlete’s spouse,
parents or other relatives to attend the recognition event.


The NCAA has ruled numerous times in the past that the recognizing institution could pay for a suit of "reasonable value" under this bylaw. True, the NCAA still has to check it out, but these types of inquiries are not unusual. *cough* Shaq *cough

And just to clear the record, the suits in question were not $4,000 suits as stated in the article you posted.

I thought the funny part was how the Bama fans are tripping over themselves trying to tattle tale on Auburn...and lots of it is not true.

I also like how the businessman says the pub is great for business.

I'd love it if the Abita Springs Cafe was in the national news because some booster bought Jordan Jefferson and Russell Shepard a bunch of lunch specials.

Last year, I had a grass from death valley salad special...It got some mileage.

No you're right but just as I don't know for sure, the corollary is true and that's the point I was trying to make. Although tons of articles, discussions, and speculation have gone on for 8 months not a single piece of evidence has surfaced to indicate Auburn broke any rules. So whay does't everyone just close the book and see if anything ever happens.