http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college/2009/05/should-ncaa-investigate-auburns-white-stretch-limo.htmlUPDATE: Auburn blog takes issue with Meyer, calls recruits "straight from the streets of Miami"
posted by Andrea Adelson on May 4, 2009 8:51:44 AM
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It seems Auburn is willing to do anything to jump start its recruiting in Mobile, Ala. According to the Mobile (Ala.) Press-Register, Auburn assistants permitted to make recruiting visits last week jumped into a white stretch limo, stuck Auburn decals on the side and headed down to Mobile.
Auburn went to several high schools to look at student-athletes. The goal was to generate interest in Auburn, where people would stop, turn and wonder why are there Auburn decals on that limo? (Shown right, from ESPN.com)
Do white stretch limos still have the same appeal to high school recruits today? Maybe they should have piled in to a stretch Hummer.
Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer took notice and was not pleased with the recruiting ploy. He told Pat Dooley of The Gainesville Sun the NCAA should look into what Auburn did. Meyer said, "I think it should," when asked if the NCAA will get involved. "We're trying to sell graduation rates and academics and trying the sing and dance routine.
"The Florida coaching staff will not be riding around in limos or ripping off our shirts." (A reference to a report that Tennessee coaches took off their shirts in the presence of recruits).
Now an Auburn sports blog has taken issue with Meyer's comments, ripping the coach for calling on the NCAA to look into the limos. Track Em Tigers says: "I talked to a recruit who attended the Florida-South Carolina game last year and he said he actually put his wallet in his front pocket because of the recruits who were there visiting. He said they were cast straight from the streets of Miami. The only thing Urban Meyer is trying to do is win football games. Don't give us this crap about graduation rates and academics."
Straight from the streets of Miami? That comment couldn't be any more racist or insulting. Whatever issue you have with Meyer, it is completely ridiculous to start calling their recruits "straight from the streets of Miami."
Gator fans, let's hear from you.