wonder why this wasn't front page news?

[kickinwang 0]

OANOW

AU: No relationship with UFS

Officials say they expect to be cleared of any connection in possible loan scandal

Amy Weaver / Staff Writer

August 8, 2007

Auburn University officials say they don’t have a relationship with the loan company at the center of a possible scandal involving 39 Division I universities across the country.

Executive Associate Athletics Director Tim Jackson said they were surprised New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo requested information from Auburn last week for his investigation of college athletic departments and Student Financial Services Inc., which operates as University Financial Services.

Cuomo is looking into the possibility that the universities directed students and student-athletes to the specific loan provider, in exchange for kickbacks. He says he’s looking at how team names, mascots and colors were used to suggest UFS was the college’s preferred lender.

AU officials expect to be cleared of any connection.

"We don’t have a direct relationship with University Financial Services," said Brian Keeter, AU’s director of public affairs. "They aren’t even a participating lender."

Auburn uses what they call "participating lenders," Keeter said. Counselors direct students to the university Web site for forms, guidelines and criteria of several different loan providers. That way students have a list of choices to find the company that best meets their own needs.

"The process for our student-athletes is the same as any other student," said Jackson.

Cuomo’s investigation is centered on preferred providers.

"No students here are directed to any particular loan provider," Ketter said. "To my knowledge, we’ve never had preferred providers."

Jackson said Auburn has no way of knowing or tracking which loan company a student selects under their method.

AU has complied with Cuomo’s request for information, Jackson said, and is back to focusing on practice and the start of the football season.

Until the matter is resolved, he said ISP Sports, a sports marketing firm that Auburn uses, has suspended its relationship with UFS. This means there are no longer advertisements for UFS on many university Web sites, including Auburn’s.

"We are very protective of our brand," said Jackson. "Our brand does a whole lot for us. We will continue to be protective of it."

[runswithscissors 33]

it never made front page down here when the story broke....it was a small article way in the back. it wasn't really big news then anyways, so i don't know why it would be big news now.

[AU alum 2]

But, do remember, according to Paul Finebaum, we're still guilty. Even if it has been proved we're not guilty.

[Tigerguy 1]

slimebum is a fool. However, that said, the Huntsville Newspaper and the three local tv stations reported it. I find it amazing that such trash is reported as "news". What the media outlets all need is a few real reporters, not journalism/broadcast majors, who actually find facts BEFORE they "report". Most of what Americans get for news, including sports, is garbage.

It would be nice to see a followup with this. I won't hold my breath.

[runswithscissors 33]

But, do remember, according to Paul Finebaum, we're still guilty. Even if it has been proved we're not guilty.

consider the source and flush.

[mec814 0]

Newspapers have not been credible for some time It could be incompetent reporting or

bias in the editorial dept.. The Auburn story was newsworthy but there was no reason

to print Auburn in giant letters in the heading. We all know the reasons behind this.

[MDM4AU 339]

If I am not mistaken, the original story was in the lead segment of the NBC13 News the day it came out and the next morning it was on the front page of the Bamaham News. I recall thinking (and laughing) that they had moved a Lord Sabahr bobo honking so they could give Auburn some coverage. The headline listed UAB, UNA, and Auburn. I haven't seen anything on it since.

[Tigermike 4,082]

If I am not mistaken, the original story was in the lead segment of the NBC13 News the day it came out and the next morning it was on the front page of the Bamaham News. I recall thinking (and laughing) that they had moved a Lord Sabahr bobo honking so they could give Auburn some coverage. The headline listed UAB, UNA, and Auburn. I haven't seen anything on it since.

You are not mistaken.