Auburn: “There simply is no evidence that Newton engaged in impermissible..."

[The Six]

Per Jay G. Tate of The Montgomery Advertiser:

http://madvertiserblogs.com/HABOTN/2011/11/04/the-ncaa-speaks-what-they-found-regarding-cam-newton/

Auburn, via a Freedom of Information Act request, has turned over documents related to its joint investigation (with the NCAA) into Cam Newton’s recruitment.

Here are some interesting nuggets of information:

• The NCAA found evidence that Cecil Newton and Kenny Rogers, the agent/non-agent, communicated a total of 275 times prior to Newton’s commitment to Auburn.

• Rogers was working on MSU’s behalf.

• Rogers told Bill Bell, an MSU booster, that Cam Newton would commit to Oklahoma if a cash payment wasn’t made on MSU’s behalf.

• Cam Newton, Auburn investigators concluded, “only knew Rogers as an MSU alumnus who provided information to Cam’s father about MSU and, in particular, his perspective on being an African-American male in Starkville, Miss.”

• Auburn told the NCAA, in its letter requesting Cam Newton’s reinstatement on Nov. 30, 2010, that “it is clearly established that Cam didn’t hire an agent and didn’t receive any benefit from individuals alleged to be acting on his behalf. The facts do not support that Cam was aware of any such alleged activity.”

• Kenny Rogers also contacted UNC assistant coach John Blake about Cam Newton, saying “I have three kids that love UNC.” The first was Newton. Rogers also mentioned DL Donald Langley and RB Justin Rogers.

• The NCAA affirmed MSU’s findings earlier this year that Rogers, despite all this, wasn’t a representative of MSU’s athletic interests. MSU cast Rogers as a rogue and the NCAA agreed. Rogers officially has been disassociated from MSU.

• Auburn’s argument to keep Cam Newton eligible, which is known internally as the “Cam Newton Interpretation,” concluded a few things — a.) Cam Newton didn’t have a representation agreement with Kenny Rogers; b.) That Cecil Newton didn’t have a representation agreement with Rogers; c.) Cam Newton wasn’t aware of any purported agreement between his father and Rogers.

• Auburn’s conclusion: “There simply is no evidence that (Cam) Newton engaged in impermissible conduct. Newton should not be punished for the conduct of others.”

 

[Snaggletiger]

Damn, the hammer really is coming.

[The Prowler]

Again, if I'm a MSU fan...I'm hoping that all of this goes away and stops re-surfacing.

[The Prowler]

Here's why...

"Newton’s father reports that Rogers raised the idea of an inducement and initiated these calls".

The NCAA determined Auburn had no contact with Rogers while he tried to arrange a deal with Mississippi State boosters and that the deal was limited to Mississippi State.

The NCAA determined from its interviews with Mississippi State boosters Bill Bell and John Bond that Rogers simply "wanted Newton to attend his alma mater."

"Bond said that when Rogers first contacted him about Newton's recruitment, Rogers wanted to see what he could do to make sure Newton enrolled at MSU. Bond recalls Rogers telling him that he was 'trying to help [his] own God damn school.'"

"Bond told the enforcement staff that Rogers wanted Newton to play for MSU and was trying to prevent him from attending other institutions so that he would end up at MSU" and Rogers told Bond he "just had to make it happen."

Cecil Newton and Rogers met with two Mississippi State assistant coaches in late November 2009. An NCAA document says Rogers "discussed the possibility of asking for substantial cash payments."

On Dec. 31, a month after that meeting, Mississippi State says it stopped recruiting Cam Newton. That's the day he signed with Auburn.

Kenny Rogers is a former Mississippi State football player and a current member of the MSU Letterman Club...who also had dealings with former MSU & UNC Coach John Blake.

[JR4AU]

Again, if I'm a MSU fan...I'm hoping that all of this goes away and stops re-surfacing.

Seems it wouldn't matter since the NCAA found Rogers to NOT be a representative of MSU Athletics, but rather simply a rogue agent.

[The Prowler]

Seems it wouldn't matter since the NCAA found Rogers to NOT be a representative of MSU Athletics, but rather simply a rogue agent.

He's a MSU Booster...that's what will get them.

[JR4AU]

He's a MSU Booster...that's what will get them.

According to released documents, NCAA said he's not.

[RWS]

According to released documents, NCAA said he's not.

This.

You don't have to be a booster to be disassociated by a program. The NCAA found that he was not considered a booster by their definition. I would imagine if something was going to happen to MSU, it would be happening by now. I think the NCAA is just going to call this a draw, because for that matter, it was a grey area at best anyway.