NCAA will make ‘inquiry’ at Georgia (UPDATED)
(Last updated 1:05 a.m. Thursday)
HOOVER, Ala. –- The NCAA, in the midst of a crackdown on improper dealings between college football players and agents, informed the University of Georgia late Wednesday afternoon that it will send investigators to campus to conduct an “inquiry.”
The probe is believed to be the latest in a recent string of NCAA investigations looking into possible improper benefits received by college football players from agents.
Investigations are known to be underway at North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Alabama.
Georgia associate athletic director Claude Felton confirmed Wednesday’s call from the NCAA and said UGA Athletic Association officials responded by pledging full cooperation.
Felton said the NCAA requested that UGA officials, coaches and student-athletes refrain from further comment on the matter “until the inquiry is completed.” Georgia interim athletic director Frank Crumley declined to comment when reached by the AJC.
The NCAA’s call to Georgia officials in Athens came as the SEC was wrapping up the first session of its annual media days event in Hoover, Ala., where the hot topic was the widespread recent allegations of improper agent activity.
“It’s epidemic right now,” Florida coach Urban Meyer said. “I think it’s always been there, from what I understand. . . . But I think we’ve reached a point where the size of college football, the magnitude of college football right now, [it] is really overwhelming.”
The NCAA is investigating whether Alabama defensive lineman Marcell Dareus broke NCAA rules by attending a sports agent’s party on Miami’s South Beach during Memorial Day weekend, and NCAA investigators also have interviewed North Carolina players, including defensive tackle Marvin Austin, and South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders about the same party.
In addition, the NCAA is looking into an allegation that former Florida offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey accepted $100,000 from an agent’s representative between last season’s SEC Championship Game and the Sugar Bowl –- an allegation that Pouncey has strongly denied and called “absolutely ridiculous.”
Georgia’s highest-profile pro prospect, junior wide receiver A.J. Green, told SI.com on Tuesday, the day before the NCAA’s call to UGA, that he was not at the South Beach party that triggered investigations at three schools. Green said he spent Memorial Day weekend at home in Summerville, S.C., and that he was asked about the party by a Georgia compliance official on Tuesday.
“I never went to South Beach,” Green said.
Former Georgia wide receiver Michael Moore, Green’s teammate the past two seasons, said Wednesday night on Twitter: “Hahaha. This talk about A.J. is hilarious. That country boy ain’t never been to Miami!!! You can put those rumors to rest.”
It is not clear whether the NCAA informed Georgia which player or players it plans to interview.
NCAA rules prohibit college players from signing contracts with, or accepting benefits from, agents. If a player is found to have done so, he could face loss of college eligibility. If the NCAA finds that the school knew, or should have known, about the matter, the institution also could be penalized.
“At the conclusion of the process, when the facts are known, appropriate determinations will be made as to the amateurism status of the student-athlete and whether the institution was aware or should have been aware of the improper conduct based on existing NCAA rules,” SEC commissioner Mike Slive said Wednesday, speaking in generalities and not about any specific case.
Slive added: “Given the surreptitious nature of these matters, it is difficult, if not impossible, for institutions to know what might have taken place. . . . My point is, this isn’t done on Main Street at noon with a compliance officer sitting there. Our schools work very hard. We’ve talked about this issue over and over. We’ve brought experts in. Our schools do everything they can to educate student-athletes about what they should and shouldn’t do.”
Georgia coach Mark Richt and three players -– Green, punter Drew Butler and fullback Shaun Chapas -– are scheduled to arrive at media days Thursday morning for appearances before almost 1,000 media members here.
The NCAA’s recent focus on agent activity, dubbed AgentGate by some, was much-discussed during the opening session of the SEC’s annual three-day media event Wednesday.
Alabama coach Nick Saban was most outspoken on the topic, exuding anger from the podium at the Wynfrey Hotel.
Although not excluding players from responsibility, Saban said agents are “entrapping and taking advantage of young people at a difficult time in their life” and should be banned from the agent business for a year if they endanger college players’ eligibility with improper inducements.
“I don’t think it’s anything but greed that is creating it right now on behalf of the agents,” Saban said. “Agents that do this, I hate to say this, but how are they any better than a pimp? I have no respect for people who do that to young people -– none. I mean, none. How would you feel if they did it to your child?”
Slive called for a national re-examination of the agent issue, saying: “This is a national problem that calls for a national agent strategy for college athletics.” He said an NCAA committee should take an outside-the-box look at the issue.
“Dealing with improper agent conduct has been a challenge for a long time,” Slive said. “Not only for intercollegiate athletics, but also for the many good agents who try to follow the rules. It is time to reexamine the NCAA rules that relate to agents.”
After the story broke late Wednesday of the NCAA’s inquiry at Georgia, former Bulldogs linebacker Rennie Curran, who gave up his final season of college eligibility to enter this year’s NFL draft, addressed the matter on his Twitter account.
“Can’t believe how hard the ncaa is trying to crack down on college athletes,” Curran tweeted. “How can [you] expect someone not to look to outside sources…”
Continuing on his next tweet, Curran wrote: “… when there are video games being made of you, your jerseys getting sold, your family is struggling [and] you don’t even get a dime except pell [grant].”
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365 comments Add your comment
buzzforareason
July 22nd, 2010
7:30 am
Did you know the only panties a Tech man ever sees are his own moms?
buzzforareason
July 22nd, 2010
7:30 am
When he’s sniffing them.
FORTY ONE POINTS to your seventeen points
July 22nd, 2010
7:31 am
Well, well, well…..got some “visitors” in cowtown mutties? BTW;
(((((((((((((((((((((41-17)))))))))))))))))))
buzzforareason
July 22nd, 2010
7:31 am
Did you know that bees eat their own excrement? It’s true, it’s true! (Literally, look it up)
buzzforareason
July 22nd, 2010
7:32 am
So once again, F*ck Tech, wreck tech, whatever the hell just see them die. See ya losers.
buzzedforareason
July 22nd, 2010
7:34 am
Just of few of our “gooduns”:
Michael Lemon (aggravated battery)
Justin Anderson (simple battery)
Trinton Sturvidant (simple battery)
Blake Barnes (furnishing alcohol to a minor)
Tripp Chandler (minor in possession of alcohol)
Brandon Wood (DUI)
Kelvin Perez (DUI)
Vince Vance (knowingly driving with a suspended license)
Donovan Baldwin (DUI, reckless driving)
Fred Munzenmaier (underage possession of alcohol)
Jeff Henson (public urination)
Clint Boling (DUI)
Jeremy Lomax (reckless driving, possession of a concealed weapon without a license)
Matthew Prick (underage alcohol possession)
Tanner Strickland (fake identification)
Paul Taylor (battery)
Shane McCleskey (battery)
Akeem Hebron (underage possession of alcohol)
Antonio Sims (DUI)
Ian Smith (public intoxication)
Marquis Elmore (driving with a suspended license)
Dannell Ellerbe (DUI)
Kedrick Golston (disorderly conduct, bar fight)
Derrick White (disorderly conduct, bar fight)
Tavares Kearney (simple battery)
Derrick White (DUI)
Zeb McKinzey (underage possession of alcohol)
Darrius Swain (driving with a suspended license)
Michael Turner (possession of less than an ounce of marijuana)
Rennie Curran (theft, taking a parking boot worth $350)
tiger7_88
July 22nd, 2010
7:46 am
Saban lecturing agents on greed is much like Satan lecturing preachers on sin.
HILARIOUS.
Rita in Mableton
July 22nd, 2010
7:50 am
After the story broke late Wednesday of the NCAA’s inquiry at Georgia, former Bulldogs linebacker Rennie Curran, who gave up his final season of college eligibility to enter this year’s NFL draft, addressed the matter on his Twitter account.
“Can’t believe how hard the ncaa is trying to crack down on college athletes,” Curran tweeted. “How can [you] expect someone not to look to outside sources…”
Continuing on his next tweet, Curran wrote: “… when there are video games being made of you, your jerseys getting sold, your family is struggling [and] you don’t even get a dime except pell [grant].”
Obviously Curran is admitting his own guilt. UGA should be investigated, then vacate all their wins for games that Curran played in.
Cheating, drunkeness, and thuggery. No surprise at the Cesspool of the South.
SuperB
July 22nd, 2010
7:51 am
Green says he was NOT at that South Beach party. For the Tekkies, I doubt you have a player that has ever been to South Beach or even knows where it is. But I’ll bet all the Beez can find the nearest Chuckie Cheese.
Damon Evans
July 22nd, 2010
7:52 am
why don’t we take em out drinking and hook em up with some white women…panty down…oops I mean party down
Soldhi
July 22nd, 2010
7:53 am
Is UGA more than just a big party school?
Sounds more like a training ground for delinquents.
Buz
July 22nd, 2010
7:55 am
I heard the NCAA is going to GT after they finish at UGA. Possibly 4 GT players at the Miami party.
Red Panties
July 22nd, 2010
7:56 am
RED PANTIES says it all!!!
FIREBUTTFACERICHT
July 22nd, 2010
7:56 am
SHOULD HAVE FIRED HIM 2 YEARS AGO.
FIRE MARK RICHT, ONE OF THE WORST HIRES WE HAVE EVER MADE
We ruin this state
July 22nd, 2010
7:56 am
WE ARE THUG-U!
Axel
July 22nd, 2010
7:58 am
Now that we’re in the off-season, wouldn’t this be the perfect time to take an in-depth look at UGA and have a serious discussion about the problems at UGA and why the arrest rate of players is the highest in the country? it’s common knowledge that UGA is a party school, but have any football players every actually graduated with a real degree? Jan Kemp exposed the school and the coaches almost three decades ago, but there is no sign that anything has improved; if anything, the arrest rate shows that things are getting more outrageous every year while the clueless Mark Richt has absolutely no control over his players. And then there is the infamous “red panties” incident that will haunt UGA for decades.
UGA has a lot bigger problem than hiring a new AD.
UGA has become a major embarrassment to all Georgians, and we want some answers starting now.
Joe Hamilton GT Great
July 22nd, 2010
8:00 am
I hope no one brings up my DUI, hit & run, possession of marijuana convictions! And please don’t mention the GT athletes that have been arrested for rape and for physically assaulting women! Furthermore please don’t mention the fact that Georgia Tech recently came off NCAA probation for academic cheating involving 19 student athletes (11 starting football players) who had their grades raised so that they could remain academically eligible to play.
Please remember we don’t cheat at GT…LMAO
Rita in Mableton
July 22nd, 2010
8:00 am
Has anyone seen my pimp?
The Truth
July 22nd, 2010
8:07 am
Speaking of “cheaters”:
Cheating Hall of Fame
In the TOP 29 Div 1 teams in terms of all time major NCAA infractions cases:
1)Arizona State
2)SMU
aaaaannnndddd at NUMBER 11, you guessed it!
11) Georgia
Aren’t ya proud?
Ms. Chokesondick
July 22nd, 2010
8:07 am
Lane Kiffin funded the party. It was his parting shot at the SEC.
superDawg
July 22nd, 2010
8:08 am
tek did not have any players in Miami they were run out of town in january for posing as football players.
The Truth
July 22nd, 2010
8:08 am
BTW,
Source: ncaa.org (NCAA Legislative Database of major infractions)
dawggirl21
July 22nd, 2010
8:12 am
I don’t understand the negative commentary on here when there is absolutely no proof of wrong doing YET. There are rumors and hearsay but that’s it. How immature and classless is it to sit here behind a computer screen where no one can see you and be so rude and disrespectful to eachother. As a Dawg fan, I’m embarrassed for UGA and Tech (or Ugay and North Avenue Taliban for those of you so uneducated and classless you don’t know their names). Grow up people.
As far as the situation goes, the coaches don’t have monitoring devices on these guys. All they can do is lead by example (and no, Damon’s example wasn’t the shining decision making one hopes for. At the same time, can EVERYONE of you say you’ve never made a horrendous decision? Nope), drill proper behavior into these kids heads and let them live their lives. Much like parents of any college students. Once the kid is off the practice field or out of the classroom, it’s up to them. If coaches are unaware their players are heading out for Memorial Day weekend for wrongdoing, you can’t punish them. Should the player be punished? Yes. Should the agent be punished? Yes. But at the same time, would YOU know what an agent looked like when you met him? Probably not.
Nobody knows what they would do until presented with that particular situation so you can’t judge it after the fact when you weren’t involved. Let’s see how this investigation shakes down and go from there.
ckgator
July 22nd, 2010
8:13 am
Sounds like any school with any talent on the roster is facing the “agent” problem. All you can do to save yourself is “self-report” and perhaps be proactive with education for your student athletes.
Question
July 22nd, 2010
8:13 am
@The Truth that’s alltime right? Out of curiosity, what about the past decade? I’m curoious as to how many of the all-timers have kept their noses clean in recent years.
BG
July 22nd, 2010
8:16 am
AJ Green was not in South Beach!!! He went home over memorial day when the alleged party took place in south beach.
JB
July 22nd, 2010
8:19 am
Haters stirring pot…….A J is fine….was not near the place…not even in the State……Tech can also relax…..can’t see anyone on that roster who would get an invite…..These were all elite college players…
Grim Reaper
July 22nd, 2010
8:20 am
Gawja is headed to the Electric Chair. Shut this program down now, NCAA.
K-dawg
July 22nd, 2010
8:22 am
lets clean up the program CMR! Kick AJ off the team and set the tone, send a message!.
SEC media days: Catching a breath and waiting on Richt | Jeff Schultz
July 22nd, 2010
8:22 am
[...] the Georgia story, here’s a link to a blog I wrote yesterday when Tucker broke the story, and here’s Tim’s updated news story. My favorite part of Tim’s story might be the remark from teammates Michael Moore, via [...]
Bride of Chucky Knapp
July 22nd, 2010
8:22 am
Buz: The GT attendees were just there to make sure the stage was structurally sound.
Frank Lane
July 22nd, 2010
8:23 am
the tweets by Curran are extremely damning. And I don’t agree at all. College players are being trained for the most lucrative off all out of school jobs. They can wait until after school just like all other college students do.
Weird...
July 22nd, 2010
8:25 am
@K-dawg were you there?
Oh, no? Well then you can’t call for kicking someone off the team on conjecture. Until it’s proven then he remains.
Perhaps you’ve forgotten but here in AMERICA it’s INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
ckgator
July 22nd, 2010
8:27 am
If your school has not experienced problems with agents, it either means that 1. there is not enough talent on the roster to attract them; or 2. it has not happened yet but is about to.
The more blue-chippers you have, the greater the exposure.
Dawghater
July 22nd, 2010
8:41 am
Here is a Tweet to Rennie Curran! Your getting a college education for FREE. Yes, FREE. Stop complaining about all the money you should be getting. However, UGA players never consider that college is for a education not football. And Rennie, you sound guilty!
David Johnson
July 22nd, 2010
8:53 am
Mr. Rennie Curran,
you are getting paid. i.e., free college education worth approximately $40,000 per year. Sure it’s not pocket money but it’s fringe benefits worth that much. That’s a lot more than most people make in this country.
How2fish
July 22nd, 2010
8:59 am
Axel good morning! Yesterday you were Coraline the day before “Harry the Hat”…everyday your a LOSER..troll on big mama troll on !
» SEC: Forget blocking and tackling, it’s all about agents John Clay’s Sidelines
July 22nd, 2010
9:00 am
[...] Tim Tucker of the AJC writes that NCAA is calling its trip to Georgia an “inquiry.” [...]
dawggirl21
July 22nd, 2010
9:02 am
Ummm that college education does not cost $40K a year @David Johnson. FOUR years at UGA costs roughly $25K. Now if you want to say including education and other perks the University bestows upon the student athletes then we have something to talk about.
Pat
July 22nd, 2010
9:03 am
Somebody tell Curran to shut his f^(!^g mouth! WTF is wrong with some of these idiots? Keep your mouth shut.
Borodawg
July 22nd, 2010
9:06 am
Much ado about nothing and I refuse to join this inane conversation.
Bumpersticker….LMAO!
How2fish
July 22nd, 2010
9:06 am
Dawghater just for the record there is nothing free about that education its paid for in blood,sweat and pain..if you’ve ever walked on a football field you know that it true. How much does the school make off a players jersey’s etc ? I’m not defending the players that break the rules as they are today..just might be time to change the rules.King Gator your 6:56 post was spot on!
Orange Bowl
July 22nd, 2010
9:10 am
SuperB – maybe none of them had been to south beach before last year… but we went there twice as a team last year… thats where the Orange Bowl is… I can’t say with any confidence that any of our players have been to Shreveport, though
How2fish
July 22nd, 2010
9:11 am
Grim Reaper question for you bone face..if they were to give UGA the death penalty..wouldn’t they have to give it to the other schools who have committed the same infraction? Really bonehead you see that happening to this many schools ? Let the investigation runs its course it is either a mountain being made out of a molehill or its the tip of the iceberg.
How2fish
July 22nd, 2010
9:13 am
Orange Bowl you can say with the utmost confidence that NONE of your players have WON a bowl game ..can’t you Nancy??
GATOR DADDY!!!
July 22nd, 2010
9:15 am
While the NCAA is conducting its inquiry on the atheletics side, they should also check to see if basic academic standards are being enforced in UGA’s classrooms. If their recent academic graduates are anything to go by, then it seems like basically anyone with a pulse can get a degree at UGA – it is not worth the toilet paper it is printed on!!
Joe Pa
July 22nd, 2010
9:17 am
Nick Saban is presenting Himself (with an upper-case “H”, too!) as the moral compass for college kids? That is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard!
DawginLex
July 22nd, 2010
9:18 am
Rita,
It is not an NCAA violation for the university to sell jersies with players names on the back. It is not an NCAA violation to have UGA featured on a football video game.
Now go fix my dinner.
Eisendawg
July 22nd, 2010
9:18 am
Dawqgirl21, You’re wasting your time trying to convince the haters on here with ‘logic’. Most of the negative posts on here are little children trying to be cute. Some are Tech fans that salivate at the thought of the possibility of UGA having any kind of problem. Then, you have the imposters, who try to act like they are disgruntled UGA fans, when in reality, they hate UGA. In reality, UGA is a great school, in a great city, with great coaches, and great athletics! Go DAWGS!
Russ the wonder dawg!!
July 22nd, 2010
9:18 am
There should be an anti-tampering law for agents and their lynchmen, start holding them accountable for putting the players and universities into these situations. These agents should be held liable for the damage they do to the players and universities. I guarantee you wont see much of this nonsense anymore. Best solution to any problem is start with the source….the agents.