Hope for Auburn? Toxic trustee Bobby Lowder steps aside
On the left, Bobby Lowder. On the right, former Alabama governor Don Siegelman. (AP photo)
Yet another big story breaks over the Loveliest Village of the Plains, and this one has the feel of a new dawn rising. The toxic Bobby Lowder has decided not to seek another term on Auburn’s board of trustees. The first two words of an editorial in the Opelika-Auburn News were these:
“Good riddance.”
It was hard to know exactly how much power Lowder wielded over Auburn athletics because his modus operandi was to be seen but never heard. I once asked another SEC athletic director if some booster could be classified as his school’s Bobby Lowder, and the AD thought for several moments. Then he said: “I’m not sure anyone else has a Bobby Lowder.”
Conventional wisdom holds that Lowder, an Auburn grad who came to power as head of the Montgomery-based Colonial BancGroup (seized by the Feds in 2009), essentially fired Terry Bowden as football coach in the middle of the 1998 season and almost fired Tommy Tuberville five years later. It was a plane owned by Lowder’s bank that made the infamous flight to Sellersburg, Ind., carrying Auburn officials to interview then-Louisville coach Bobby Petrino — for a job that was technically not open.
Auburn president William Walker and athletic director David Housel, both of whom were aboard the plane, wound up resigning. Lowder, however, was immovable. He’d become a trustee in 1983, but his influence was mighty long before that. He was considered Auburn’s biggest donor and its de facto CEO. (Here’s an ESPN story on Lowder from 2006, written by esteemed former colleague Mike Fish.)
In January the New York Times quoted former AD Mike Lude on Lowder thusly: “I would describe him as a person who is very quiet, very much behind the scenes, yet very much involved. My wife one time said, ‘You know, Mike, Bobby Lowder really acts like the Auburn Tigers are his professional football franchise.’ ”
Lowder wouldn’t talk to the Times for that story. Lowder never talked to anybody. When the Auburn Plainsman, the student newspaper, was critical of Lowder, it wound up being subjected to what Jennifer Foster of the Opelika-Auburn News calls a “retaliatory restructure.” In 2004, Auburn nearly lost its accreditation as a university — this time its probation was levied not by the NCAA but by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools — due to meddling by its trustees.
Even the most rabid Auburn fans could never endorse Lowder. Why would one man want so much power? Why were so many afraid of him? Indeed, Lowder’s latest appointment to the board of trustees prompted a lawsuit and led Foster to wonder in print if Gov. Robert Bentley’s decision to reappoint Lowder had anything to do with a campaign contribution of $25,000 made by Lowder’s wife.
But now the man behind the curtain is gone, or at least going. (Lowder’s term expires next year.) He’ll leave having finally seen his Tigers win a national championship, but it was a championship accompanied by more skepticism than any in history. Much of that had to do with Cam Newton’s father, yes, but much could be traced to the knowledge that Auburn was, and had long been, Bobby Lowder’s team.
By Mark Bradley
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146 comments Add your comment
Fulmer Cup Champions 2011--Auburn Tigers
May 18th, 2011
3:57 pm
Nope…smiling–just enjoying the show!
Haters Gonna Hate
May 18th, 2011
3:59 pm
Actually the NCAA has not found anything against our 2010 squad, but I’ll tell you what the NCAA DID find…they found UGA star players selling wares on Ebay…so in terms of cheating in 2010 the NCAA scores it UGA 1….AU nil. LOL!
2010 Fulmer Cup Champs
May 18th, 2011
3:59 pm
UGA fans: WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA IT’S NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA WHERE’S HERSCHELL????WHAAAAAAAAAA NICK FAIRLY BEAT UP OUR OFFENSE!!!!!! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA IT’S NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!
Haters Gonna Hate
May 18th, 2011
4:01 pm
Fret not UGA fans…the 1980 team members are mostly still alive and well so you can relive the glory days at halftimes for years to come…..relive memories of those big wins over 1-9-1 Tech, 1-10 TCU, 2-9 Vandy.
Oh what a great powerhouse team 1980 was.
Haters Gonna Hate
May 18th, 2011
4:02 pm
Class comments gdawginkalamazoo, but Cam was only part of what made that team. Michael Dyer, Zac Etheridge, Josh Bynes, Demond Washington, Kodi Burns, Fariley, and many others made CRUCIAL plays over and over.
gdawginkalamazoo
May 18th, 2011
4:02 pm
Actually Cam did make your team. Just like Tebow made the UF teams. Once in a lifetime player. Whether or not Cam got paid, it makes no difference as to what he did on the field. He was clearly a dominant player. Auburn won the title on the field with players that it recruited. As a dawg fan, it was nothing but impressive. I don’t like all the “cheaters” talk. Until there is actually evidence that anything was done wrong Auburn and Cam had one hell of a 2010 season. And yes I wish UGA could win one, sometime soon, at least in my life time, before I get too old to talk smack about it.
middleoftheroader
May 18th, 2011
4:04 pm
I get that this man has owned Auburn football and acted like sports at a public university were his private domain. What I don’t get is the comments that seem to indicate UGA, FL, FSU, UT, LSU, AL, etc., are any different. And we can grouse all we want but so far Cam is sitting pretty. No charges, an NFL berth, Heisman, etc. We didn’t do this when the other SEC schools won championships and we didn’t stick up for AU in 2004 when AU should have gone to the BCS Bowl. I see players leaving UGA because they can’t handle the academics or because they are thugs who abuse the privileges and opportunities being a Dawg affords. There’s been other violations but the hatred for AU is mind blowing. I’m not jealous that another SEC team is the national champion if we aren’t and I hope Richt can bring it back. We just look like we are jealous and are poor losers. And what about our own situation with our board member and Yoculan that was an open secret for years. We sure looked classy and above board. And then our AD caught with some skank’s panties while driving drunk the day BEFORE his huge contract kicked in. We really have room to talk, don’t we?
Haters Gonna Hate
May 18th, 2011
4:06 pm
Well said Middleoftheroader…..well said.
Coastal
May 18th, 2011
4:19 pm
I guess it’s good that things are starting to resemble some semblance of normalcy. I guess. . . .
Harvey Updyke Jr.
May 18th, 2011
4:22 pm
Love is in the air. How bout them trees?
Haters Gonna Hate
May 18th, 2011
4:26 pm
They are still alive…how is that Iron Bowl loss still feeling? 24-0….OUCH!!!
Buh Bye, Dawgtards
May 18th, 2011
4:45 pm
When the NCAA uncovers all the filth and garbage under the surface in Athens, it will make Auburn look like choirboys.
The corruption at UGA is bad, worse than most people can imagine.
Some of the rot was exposed when Damon Evans went down, but the rest is just moldering away, waiting to be exposed.
Fulmer Cup Champions 2011--Auburn Tigers
May 18th, 2011
4:46 pm
Haters Gonna Hate…As much as it irks me to say it, Saban was right–without Cam you clowns had 5 losses last year. You’ll see what happens this year.
And you are right. AJ sold his jersey…and he was punished severely and turned our season’s already dismal prospects into a nightmare. I don’t hide from that fact. Nor do I point at other schools claiming that their cheating justifies my own. We broke the rules and paid the price.
Why is it that Auburn fans never think they should have to pay the price for cheating. Oh…that’s right–it is because the only success you have ever known was a result of cheating.
At least a the cheating tigers never change their stripes! (although this year that should be changed to PRISON stripes–HEY-O!)
Whistle Blower
May 18th, 2011
4:50 pm
“I see players leaving UGA because they can’t handle the academics or because they are thugs who abuse the privileges and opportunities being a Dawg affords.”
Mark Richt is trying to clean things up just enough so that UGA’s unethical and shoddy operation isn’t blown sky high. He’s just trying to save his fat paychecks.
gdawginkalamazoo
May 18th, 2011
4:52 pm
Haters gonna hate, yes I agree, it is a team effort and there are certain remarkable plays that have to be made to go undefeated. But Cam, just like Tebow, seemed like they could will the team to victory.
Really, that TD at the end of halftime at the SEC CG? It was like ridiculous.
Haters Gonna Hate
May 18th, 2011
4:55 pm
Fulmer Cup….I hope yuo are not planning on UGA being better the AUburn in the future…..I would say Au has a little bit more talent then the UGA dream team.
And all you hoping and praying that AU cheated is going to do nothing but add more gray hairs. They won’t be able to recognize you at the Georgia SOuthern reunion. LOL!
Haters Gonna Hate
May 18th, 2011
4:56 pm
Anyone who followed Rodney Garners recruitment of Michael Thorton know UGA is playing dirty pool. The NCAA investigated Cam and found no wrong doing. I dare say Thorton would not be so lucky.
Goodwaterbetty
May 18th, 2011
5:31 pm
Bobby Lowder has become the “lightening rod” for many, especially the media. He angered the Journalism department by suggesting some changes which made fiscal sense a number of years ago and they immediately used the “power of the press” to demonize him–and some of these “journalists” have never let up. Is he perfect? No. None of us is. However, several journalists, in published articles since his decision to withdraw as a candidate for another term on the board, have written that there has never been a more devoted Auburn supporter than Bobby Lowder. In the end, I believe that the good he has done for the university will far exceed any damage that may have occurred. I am glad that he withdrew since I believe it was for the betterment of the university, and that is what he has been after for many, many years. War Eagle!
Greg
May 18th, 2011
6:55 pm
“It wasn’t Cam that made our team”. Now THAT is pure gold. The player who was bought for a year was only the number 1 pick in the draft. You will be back to your mediocre ways this year without him. How could any objective person not admit that AU wouldn’t have lost AT LEAST 5 games without him.
When the Dawgs whip that ass this year between the hedges, what will it be? 5 of 6 or 6 of 7? I’ve lost count.
ATL is TigerTown
May 18th, 2011
8:28 pm
Most of you aholes are total morons who have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about. I’d advise you to keep your pie hole shut if you want to keep your total stupidity a secret. Now let me hear everyone of you idiots holler “War Eagle!” Ha ha ha…
AUGreg
May 18th, 2011
11:49 pm
All I hear is a bunch of trash talking thugs form other trash talking hating schools that want to see Auburn get burned. I remember the old days when Florida paid for players and got burned, then Auburn got hit during Pat Dye for Mr. Ramsey getting food for his family. Then it was BAMA’s turn for eligle activity, then it was UT (finally, which ran a great program for many years.) and now that Auburn won, and beat everyone on their list convencingly, all the Haters come out and trash and mouth off. Well, be careful what you say. Your turn is coming. Be warned that you heard it here. To date, Auburn has not been charged nor have they been found of any illigal or false activity. We got our trees killed, we get our named mudled, and we get to hear uneducated morons mouth off, all because we are successful. WE ARE STILL NO. 1. Stick that in you mouthpiece for awhile. Next year we get to talk about you. Unless, we beat you again. WAR CAM DAMN EAGLE!
Auburn fans are horrible....
May 19th, 2011
12:21 am
AUGreg…you just keep saying that: We are #1! War Cam Eagle! Chant it over and over again. Then tell us UGA fans that we can’t doubt the sanctity of your rented National Championship because we had so many traffic arrests! You are right! Every kid that got caught was punished…and publicly vilified by the AJC. All UGA players paid the price for their transgressions.
CAM you say the same at Auburn? Or will you say the same old tired…there is no proof?
These are the facts:
UGA is down.
We haven’t been great in a long time.
Auburn has been great.
All of Auburn’s success is directly attributed to cheating.
I mean every good season they have ever had…all achieved through cheating.
My favorite SEC rivalry, AU vs UGA is now garbage because of the way you now play and the way your fans carry themselves. Sorry–you ruined something great. You deserve all of your upcoming heartache. (2 years ago I felt differently but Chizik has ruined a great thing.)
Mtn Dawg
May 19th, 2011
8:52 am
Wow! What a power hungry prick. Good riddance indeed.
Heep Bad Dawg Dude
May 19th, 2011
9:46 am
Sorry to tell y’all but we have our own Lowder with Leeburn.
Dawg Tired
May 19th, 2011
10:23 am
He’ll only be “gone” in that he will not be “officially” associated or connected to the university. He’ll still give his money to the school he obviously cares about greatly. Some of that money will be in the form of legitimate donations. I suspect that much more will be “under the radar” to folks like Cecil Newton who have sons that can accomplish what Auburn is really all about – and that is not education.
Rbrn Grduate
May 19th, 2011
10:25 am
Who da heck is gone to funnl cashes 2 them theier recrutes now
chiefdawg
May 19th, 2011
11:17 am
Sure wish UGA had a Lowder. Maybe they could win a National Championship then.
Hart Co.
May 19th, 2011
12:39 pm
I could care less about what’s going on at Auburn. Cam dont either!
Remember
May 19th, 2011
12:54 pm
WDE = We Deny Everything
chiefdawg
May 19th, 2011
1:51 pm
If Leeburn is UGA’s Lowder, he ain’t gettign his money’s worth.
Dawg Trainer
May 19th, 2011
2:15 pm
Tree yars igo, I culdn’t een spel ‘Studint’. Now I be one at de Eunivarcity uf Jawja! Damsor E. Mutt, Clazz uf 2012
islanddawg
May 19th, 2011
2:32 pm
Its a pitty they didn’t get rid of him sooner. He has really tarnished his own image by being on that board.
Its good to see Aubs talking about this national championship. I wish we had that to talk about as well. But come football season, i hope you guys remember those arguments you used to get into with bama fans. Remember saying things like, “the past doesnt matter”? Well, i got news for you: come September, your crystal ball is a thing of the past. Athens, Ga on a Saturday night Between the Hedges……you cats better pack a lunch. Go Dawgs.
Carl Smith
May 19th, 2011
3:35 pm
Dogs still unhappy they thought the Cam-man was not a QB…there is an old country song that describes it best…Don’t overlook an orchid while searching for a rose…
Evansdawg
May 19th, 2011
4:09 pm
I smell a rat at every corner of Auburn Athletics. I always have. That rat is Bobby Lowder. I wonder what kind of relationship he had with those Alabama politicians that received pay outs from slot machines in exchange for votes.
Mike Smith (Georgia Fan)
May 19th, 2011
7:13 pm
I dont see why we dont just move to pay the players a fair wage while they are in school. Yes the scholarship is great, but at the same time allowing them a fair living wage would eliminate half of the rhetoric the game doesnt need. I watch the games for the game, the SEC is awash with money these guys go out there and put there life and limb on the line for us, and it does get it old to hear about who’s cheating this, who’s cheating that. Just enjoy the game and move back to whats important. Hey yeah we were 6-7 last year, we could go 13-0 this year. You just never know whats going to happen. Just got to hope and enjoy the game, it is a game after all. JUST A GAME
suncoastwareagle
May 19th, 2011
10:45 pm
Every time I read these bammer posts I smile just imagining how pissed you all are that Auburn has beat the red stink out of you for the past 7 out of 9 years. Poor little snivelling bammers. Go suck your thumb and find your blankie. No body cheated…bama was just OUT-COACHED!
Good Riddance Bobby Lowder « Everyone's Entitled to Joe's Opinion
May 20th, 2011
1:08 am
[...] So I hear it on pretty good authority that Bobby Lowder will not be back for another term as Auburn trustee. [...]
Rocketman37
May 20th, 2011
1:04 pm
Hey, you pathetic Auburn-bashing losers,,,WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. BOOOOO HOOOOOOO.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. Any questions?
I think we need some space
May 20th, 2011
8:11 pm
I’m sure this doesn’t have anything to do with needing to create some distance between Auburn and Lowder in preparation for the upcoming NCAA probe.
Gene Chizik
May 20th, 2011
8:14 pm
This is PURE GARBAGE. That’s all it is, GARBAGE. I know what goes on at Auburn and you don’t. I’ll head butt you if you come any closer. I’ll bench press your coffee table. GARBAGE.
pigskin72
May 21st, 2011
10:24 am
IF THEY WERE COMING, THEY WOULD HAVE ALREADY COME. I JUST LOVE ENVY, AND THAT IS ALL YOU ARE SHOWING. NEXT YEAR THEY ARE PUTTING A RAZOR-WIRE FENCE AROUND SANFORD STADIUM, AND THE PLAYERS WILL COME IN PIN STRIPE “MONKEY SUITS,” OR ORANGE JUMP SUITS, AND WILL BE ESCORTED OUT BY THE SAME GUARDS WHO BROUGHT THEM IN. “EAT YOUR HEART OUT, DOG”
Dirty Dawg
May 21st, 2011
11:47 am
Actually, Don Leeburn isn’t the ‘poor-man’s’ version of Bobby Lowder, he’s the ‘drinking-man’s’ version…and dear AU fans, your constant harping that the NCAA hasn’t found Auburn guilty of anything, including linking them to the Cecil Newton contacts with Miss State (he just all of a sudden had a ‘What would Jesus do?’ moment and stopped asking for ‘Money for Cam’). Face it folks, the NCAA has, specifically, noted that the ‘investigation’ is not closed. Now if you can get through the Uncle Milty McGregor’s trial next month without him throwing Auburn under those oak trees then you just might ’skate’…until the hush money runs out on, say, that ‘Trooper’ guy, and he threatens to tell all he knows about this mess. Then you can crow about being ‘winners’ – again, that is until somebody else has a WWJD epiphany and decides to ‘come clean’.
shane#1
May 21st, 2011
12:30 pm
First? Calling all AU fans, have we got a deal for you! Rich, overbearing trustee, should fit right in with your boosters. How much, you ask? Only two O linemen! That’s right friends! For two fat slobs you get your very own trustee, complete with whiskey! But that’s not all! For the same low price you get one oily University President! Why do we have a deal like this? Because you are who you are, and hey, we like you. This is a limited offer, so act today! /buckheadcondoandbecahfrontpropertynotincluded/
Michael
May 23rd, 2011
1:31 pm
The SEC is one tough conference.
2smartjones
May 24th, 2011
9:14 pm
Dirty Dawg – I LOVE to come on here and see you and your ilk still crying your little eyes out about AUBURN UNIVERSITY being REIGNING NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!! LOL!!! You just keep on praying that the NCAA will do SOMETHING, ANYTHING to try and take away an EARNED NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!! NOTHING is going to come of it, son!
WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!
On a sad note: so sorry that your mom is the Grandma Bandit! I know you’re proud of her in that uga hat though! LOL!!!!!
WAR DAMN EAGLE FOREVER!!!
AUBURN TIGERS #1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2smartjones
May 24th, 2011
9:39 pm
Dirty Dawg – Just a quick thought here. Why don’t we try to hook up your mom, the Grandma Bandit, with Harvey Updyke, the tree poisoner?
They’re about the same age and what an appropriate uga/bammer union they would make! Just think of how proud that would make you, Dirty Dawg!
I can’t think of ANY better representation for the fan bases of those two schools!!!