NCAA Says Its Investigating Auburn

By

Posted 8:15AM on Wednesday, October 9, 2002

AUBURN, Ala. - The NCAA has formally notified Auburn of an investigation into alleged recruiting violations in its men's basketball program. A letter from the NCAA indicated the probe "will relate primarily to alleged improper offers and inducements to two prospective student-athletes," a statement from the university said Tuesday. The NCAA is expected to complete the investigation by Dec. 1. The recruits were not named in the letter, and Auburn spokesman John Hachtel said the university would not release the letter "at this time." "Auburn is cooperating fully with the NCAA concerning this matter," Auburn President William F. Walker said in the statement. Auburn officials said they would not comment further on the investigation, citing university and NCAA policy. At least four Auburn players or recruits have been named in recent news reports concerning the NCAA probe, but it was not known which, if any, of the four might be the two mentioned in the NCAA letter. On Sept. 17, NCAA investigator Jim Elworth interviewed sophomores Marco Killingsworth and Brandon Robinson and assistant coach Charlton Young in Auburn. The NCAA's investigation has also included a June interview with Cincinnati freshman Chadd Moore, who played at Lee High School in Huntsville and for an AAU team coached by Huntsville businessman Mark Komara. The NCAA is reportedly looking into the relationships of Komara and Auburn in connection with some of his former AAU players, including Robinson and high school senior Jackie Butler of McComb, Miss., who has committed to play at Mississippi State. Auburn has been looking into allegations made last spring to athletic director David Housel by Michael Walker, a self-described sports consultant from McComb who came to Auburn with Butler on an unofficial visit in March 2001.