AUBURN NEWS

Posted 7/2/99

Just the Facts - AU Facts :

Auburn ranked 27 out of the top 50 National Universities (US News and World Report)

Money Magazine Ranked Auburn among the top 100 Elite Values

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine ranked Auburn 20th among the top 50 public universities.

Auburn's AFROTC Program is #1 in the Nation; AROTC- Winner of the MacArthur Award: NROTC- among the top 5 in the Nation.

College of Engineering ranks 10th nationally in engineering degrees awarded

AU is among the Top 5 universities nationally in producing engineers and scientists for NASA

AU ranks #1 in the South in graduates who are CEO's of Forbes Top Small Companies

AU ranks in the top 15 nationally in sales of licensed souvenirs and #1 in the sale of collegiate license plates.

Rural Studio in the School of Architecture won a national award from the American Instutute of Architects

In athletics, Auburn has finished in the top 20 for the past two years in Sears Directors Cup (all NCAA sports); won the national championship in men's swimming; Plainsman Park was chosen 3rd best college baseball stadium in the nation; AUBIE has been selected among the top 3 mascots for three consecutive years; and Auburn Football Illustrated is rated the best college football program in the nation.

Posted 7/1/99

AUBURN ONE OF SIX SEC PROGRAMS IN FINAL SEARS DIRECTOR'S CUP TOP 20 :

The Auburn Athletic Program finished No. 20 in the final Sears Director's Cup Standings released this week by USA Today and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. Auburn is one of six Southeastern Conference schools to finish in the top 20.

Developed as a joint effort between USA Today and NACDA, the Sears Cup program recognizes the NCAA Division 1-A institutions with the best overall athletic programs. According to a release by USA Today, 255 of the 310 eligible programs scored points in the competition.

Other SEC programs in the top 20 included Georgia, Florida, LSU, Arkansas and Tennessee. Stanford was the 1998-99 Sears Cup champion. Complete final rankings for this year's competition can be accessed via the Internet at www.nacda.com. The Top 20 and other schools of interest are below. Where's Bama???? - Don't be looking near the top of the rankings!!!

Rank Institution Final Baseball W. Golf M. Golf W. Lax. M. Lax W. Row Softball W. Tennis M. Tennis W. T&F M. T&F M. VB
  Total Pl. Pts. Pl. Pts. Pl. Pts. Pl. Pts. Pl. Pts. Pl. Pts. Pl. Pts. Pl. Pts. Pl. Pts. Pl. Pts. Pl. Pts. Pl. Pts.
1 Stanford (Cal.) 970 3 60 8 40 43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 0 1 100 9 30 13 30 2 0 0 0
2 Georgia 720 0 0 2 80 1 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 40 1 100 4 60 0 0 0 0
3 Penn State 600 0 0 35 10 47 10 3 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 0 58 0 3 10
4 Florida 580 0 0 0 0 12 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 80 5 40 17 0 9 0 0 0
5 California-Los Angeles 570 33 10 39 10 31 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 100 17 20 2 80 2 80 16 0 0 0
6 Michigan 520 17 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 20 35 10 0 0 33 10 20 0 0 0 0 0
7 Duke (N.C.) 510 0 0 1 100 18 20 3 60 5 20 0 0 0 0 3 60 5 40 0 0 42 10 0 0
8 Virginia 490 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 80 1 100 2 80 0 0 0 0 33 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 Arizona 470 49 10 4 60 20 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 40 17 20 0 0 0 0 14 30 0 0
9 Southern California 470 9 30 7 40 47 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 40 17 20 3 60 5 40 0 0
11 Texas 440 33 10 9 30 49 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 20 17 20 9 30 1 0 6 0 0 0
12 Arizona State 420 0 0 2 80 5 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 40 9 30 9 30 0 0 18 0 0 0
12 Brigham Young (Utah) 420 0 0 0 0 7 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 12 30 1 100
12 Nebraska 420 33 10 0 0 14 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 30 0 0 0 0 14 30 58 0 0 0
15 Ohio State 410 9 30 11 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 33 10 0 0 14 30 0 0 0 0
16 Louisiana State 390 9 30 10 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 20 17 20 3 60 5 0 9 0 0 0
17 Arkansas 370 33 10 0 0 24 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 33 10 0 0 41 10 1 0 0 0
17 North Carolina 370 33 10 20 20 10 30 9 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 20 0 0 34 0 42 10 0 0
17 Tennessee 370 0 0 26 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 10 9 30 17 20 20 0 12 0 0 0
20 Auburn (Ala.) 340 9 30 15 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 33 10 0 0 0 0 4 60 0 0
25 Notre Dame (Ind.) 300 33 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 10 0 0 25 20 17 20 33 10 17 20 0 0 0 0
27 South Carolina 290 0 0 14 30 20 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 20 9 30 17 20 7 40 6 0 0 0
28 Clemson (S.C.) 280 9 30 0 0 8 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 20 41 10 19 0 0 0
36 Miami (Fla.) 240 1 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 30 33 10 27 0 0 0 0 0
39 Alabama 230 3 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35 10 0 0 17 20 0 0 24 20 0 0
39 Florida State 230 2 80 13 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 33 10 0 0 55 10 0 0 0 0
39 Texas A&M 230 7 40 29 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 20 0 0 17 20 41 0 51 10 0 0
45 Mississippi 200 33 10 31 20 24 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 40 3 60 0 0 32 20 0 0
49 Kentucky 190 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 20 9 30 55 10 0 0 0 0
80 Georgia Tech 100 0 0 0 0 28 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 20 30 0 51 10 0 0
80 Mississippi State 100 17 20 0 0 31 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 20 9 30 0 0 0 0 0 0
95 South Alabama 80 33 10 0 0 40 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 40 17 20 0 0 0 0 0 0
107 Vanderbilt (Tenn.) 70 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 30 17 20 0 0 0 0 0 0
119 Southern Mississippi 60 17 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
184 Jacksonville State (Ala.) 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
214 Alabama-Birmingham 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
214 Samford (Ala.) 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
214 Troy State (Ala.) 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Posted 6/3/99

Muse makes statement towards Oliver situation :

Dear Auburn Supporter:

A few weeks ago, I communicated with our alumni and supporters through the Aubum Magazine about the difficulties our University and our people have been through during the past year. Earlier this week, we were hit with a new controversy that will unfortunately create more negative publicity for Auburn - a lawsuit that has been filed against the University by former coach Bill Oliver. It is important to me that Auburn supporters are as informed as possible concerning this matter.

After Coach Tuberville was hired as our new football coach, Auburn continued to fulfill the requirements of Coach Oliver's contract, paying him at the annual rate of $155,000 and providing all other benefits he received as Interim Head Coach through June, 1999. Coach Oliver had told the University he would start his state retirement in July, after leaving us as an employee. In April, Coach Oliver asked the University to pay him an additional $390,000. I conferred with Athletic Director David Housel concerning this matter and we both agreed that the University had fulfilled its obligations under Coach Oliver's one year contract and therefore denied his request.

In the response to Coach Oliver, we stated that we were willing to consider other factors that might change this decision and were willing to work with him in any other reasonable way concerning this matter. Instead, Coach Oliver hired a lawyer and decided to sue the University.

As Mr. Housel stated on Monday after the lawsuit was filed, we believe strongly that the University has honored its obligations to Coach Oliver in terms of his time at Auburn and in the time since a new football coach has been hired. We intend to vigorously defend Auburn because, in our opinion, we've been fair in our dealings with Coach Oliver.

Since it is obvious that Coach Oliver's attorney has decided to make this a highly publicized case, I wanted to take this opportunity to personally make you aware of these facts. We intend to follow our non-nal policy of not commenting about matters that are in litigation.

There has never been a more important time for Auburn people to stand together, united, for our University and our people. We ask for your continued support.

Sincerely,
William V. Muse
President

Posted 5/22/99

Anything's possible: Mounds hasn't let life's ups and downs get best of him :

It's convenient the way Otis Mounds' life has been so neatly divided. A series of incidents -- of strange, sometimes dramatic moments -- that have marked the way for the kid from Fort Lauderdale. Moments that many couldn't pull themselves out of, and moments only Mounds could find his way into.

You see, anything and everything is possible with Otis Mounds. "Strange things, funny things, happen to me for whatever reason," says Mounds, 27, sitting under a tree at Mitchell Moore Center after a morning workout with the Florida Bobcats of the Arena Football League.

To compartmentalize Mounds' life:
Spends 10 months at a state correctional institution at the age of 15 for selling cocaine. ... Called out of the stands at halftime by the public address announcer to play his first game at Auburn. ... Spends nearly seven months on the set of Oliver Stone's movie, Any Given Sunday,playing L.L. Cool J's stunt double. Oh, yeah, he's a defensive specialist for the Bobcats.

"It's been a rollercoaster," Mounds says. It's also a life that could have gone seriously wrong at a very young age. After all, Mounds was just a kid when he was convicted and charged as a juvenile for selling cocaine. "I ran back then with an older crowd," Mounds said. "It was my mistake." With the help of teachers and coaches at Dillard High School, Mounds graduated, was named All-County and was regarded as one of the top tailbacks coming out of high school in 1990. But Mounds' past caught up with him, and colleges and recruiters were reluctant to take a chance on a kid who had done time.

All except Pat Dye.

"Otis had worked hard to straighten his life out," Dye said Thursday. "He had the support of everyone at the high school, but he was also a smart kid with the desire to do the right thing. Sometimes you have to give someone an opportunity. "You look at the social climate today, so many young kids come from a tough environment. If someone doesn't have the guts to help them, to show them an environment where they can lead a clean life, they'll just go from one bad situation to the next."

Mounds still remembers Dye's words to the media. "He said, 'I'm signing an honest guy who made a mistake at a young age," Mounds recalls. "He gave me such a breath of fresh air, such an opportunity."

It was his first year at Auburn, a year he was supposed to sit out as a red-shirt, that Mounds made national headlines. He was sitting in the stands, eating popcorn and drinking soda, and watching Auburn play Fullerton State. Suddenly, over the public address system, Mounds heard the following words. "Will Otis Mounds please report to the Auburn locker room." "They went into that game with three tailbacks, but one was hurt," Mounds recalled. "When only one tailback was able to finish the half, that's when they decided to call me."

Mounds spent halftime getting into uniform, and part of the third quarter stretching. Halfway through the third, Mounds entered the game. Auburn beat Fullerton 38-17. Mounds rushed five times for 33 yards.

Mounds, who was switched to defensive back, was not drafted by the NFL. And despite numerous attempts to get a workout with the Dolphins -- "Sometimes I'd go down there for hours at a time to see some of the coaches" -- his resume reads a year in the Canadian Football League and three years with the Bobcats, who play Grand Rapids at the National Car Rental Center at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

But, as usual, there is something else going on with Otis Mounds. He recently finished 6-1/2 months of the set of Stone's upcoming movie, which follows the fictional Miami Sharks through a season of NFL football. Not only was Mounds part of a core group of 44 players who act as members of the Sharks throughout the movie (a group that also includes Bobcats linemen Eric Miller and Rob Stanavitch), but he also was the stunt double for L.L. Cool J., who plays the team's tailback.

"Eighty-five percent of the movie takes place on the field, so we'd work some days 18, 19 hours," Mounds said of the movie shot at Pro Player Stadium, the Orange Bowl and Texas Stadium. "Some days we'd shoot on the field for 15 or 16 hours, in pads and taped, and then the last three hours we'd go in the locker room to do scenes."

The movie also stars Al Pacino (as the coach), Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz and Bill Bellamy. And, according to Mounds, "Al Pacino is the man. "When he got up to give a speech (in the movie), we really felt like we wanted to go out there and play football."

Mounds, who married his high school sweetheart, Myra, while attending Auburn, has three children. "And I know football will always be a part of my life because I have two boys who love to play the game," he says. But Mounds isn't counting anything out. He's been asked to work on a movie in August with Keanu Reeves, and he also plans to return to Auburn to finish two quarter hours to earn his degree in sports and recreation management.

"I've been fortunate to have people who have pushed me and told me I could make it," Mounds said. "My wife, my high school teachers and coaches, the people at Auburn. I'd still like to play in the NFL if someone would give me a shot. But if it never pans out, I'd be happy right here.

"I'll just accept the challenges."

AUBURN BASKETBALL MEDIA GUIDE NAMED "BEST IN THE NATION" :

The 1998-99 Auburn men's basketball media guide was named the "Best Cover in the Nation" while the media guide received "Third Best in the Nation" accolades by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

It marks the sixth consecutive year that the Auburn basketball media guide has been ranked among the best in the country.

Four Southeastern Conference schools were ranked in the nation's top seven as Kentucky was rated No. 1 followed by Kansas, Auburn, Mississippi State, Nebraska, South Carolina and Texas.

Former Auburn quarterback starring in Europe :

The 1999 All-Southeastern Conference first and second teams.

Former Auburn quarterback Dameyune Craig had a strong first half in the NFL Europe League.

Playing for the Scottish Claymores, Craig passed for a league-high 1,139 yards and is tied for tops with nine touchdown passes, leading the team to a 3-2 start. He also ranks second in the league with a 94.8 passing rating.

"Playing in Europe is a great opportunity for me," said Craig, who was allocated to the league by the Carolina Panthers. "I'm getting a chance to lead a team and compete at a very high level."

Former Auburn players Dell McGee (Rhein Fire) and Willie Whitehead (Frankfurt Galaxy) are also playing in the league.

So are former Alabama players Kendrick Burton (Barcelona Dragons) and Kevin Drake (Claymores).

3 Tigers make All-SEC :

The 1999 All-Southeastern Conference first and second teams.

There were no unanimous selections and Alabama shortstop Andy Phillips was the only repeat selection. Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own players, so a unanimous selection would require 11 of 12 votes.

First Team
1B -- Cliff Wren, Mississippi State
2B -- Brad Henderson, Mississippi
3B -- Hunter Bledsoe, Vanderbilt
SS -- Andy Phillips, Alabama
C -- Casey Dunn, Auburn
OF -- G.W. Keller, Alabama
OF -- Brian Rainwater, Georgia
OF -- Brian Wiese, Mississippi State
DH -- Tim Angiolini, South Carolina
P -- Brent Schoening, Auburn
P -- Charlie Isaacson, Arkansas
RP -- Ben Grezlovski, Florida

Second Team
1B -- Josh Leaumont, LSU
2B -- Josh Hudson, Georgia
3B -- Rodney Nye, Arkansas
SS -- Brian Roberts, South Carolina
C -- John Wilson, Kentucky
OF -- Michael Rosamond, Mississippi
OF -- Trey McClure, LSU
OF -- Mailon Kent, Auburn
DH -- Ty Martin, Mississippi State
P -- David Walling, Arkansas
P -- Manny Torres, Alabama
P -- Jamie Bennett, Tennessee
RP -- Lance Cormier, Alabama

SEC Player of the Year -- Hunter Bledsoe, 3B, Vanderbilt
SEC Coach of the Year -- Norm DeBriyn, Arkansas

Posted 5/17/99

AUBURN SELECTED AS NCAA BASEBALL REGIONAL SITE :

For the second time in the history of the program, Auburn will host a NCAA Baseball Regional. Auburn was one of four SEC schools selected to host a regional.

"We're excited about hosting a regional. It's the first time in over 20 years and it adds another dimension to our baseball program," Auburn head coach Hal Baird said. "We appreciate the efforts of our administration in submitting a competitive bid.

I'm really happy for our players and I think that the selection reflects that we have a good team on the field. I'm looking forward to having teams come and play in our beautiful park. It will be nice for our players to have their fans to play in front of."

Other conference schools selected to host regionals included Alabama, LSU and Arkansas. The 12 other host schools are: Miami (Fla.), Florida State, Wake Forest, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Houston, Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Wichita State, Southern California and Stanford.

This season, the field of the NCAA Tournament expanded from 48 to 64 teams. Sixteen four-team regionals will be played May 28-30 and will consist of six, or if necessary, seven games. The 16 winners will be paired in super regionals on June 4-5 in a best two of three format and those eight winners will compete in the College World Series.

The 64-team bracket will be announced on ESPN, Monday, May 24, at 2 p.m central.

The last and only time Auburn hosted a baseball regional was 1978. The Tigers dropped two games to Memphis and North Carolina in that regional.

Game times for the Regional at Auburn's Plainsman Park are: Friday, 4:00 and 7 p.m.; Saturday, 11:30, 3:00 and 6:30; Sunday 1:30 and 5:00 p.m. (if necessary). All times are central.

Tickets prices for the NCAA Regional at Auburn are: $50 for a tournament book which includes tickets for each regional game; $25 for a student tournament book and $10 for single game tickets. Tickets may be ordered by calling 1-800-AUB-1957.

Posted 5/16/99

Baker closes door on college career, signs with Bowden's lawyer :

Robert Baker will not play football at Auburn next year or at any other college for that matter.

Baker, the former Auburn receiver who was paroled two months ago after serving 10 months of a 15-year sentence for trafficking cocaine, signed with an agent this week. He will enter the National Football League's supplemental draft in either June or July, the Register has learned. Baker signed with West Palm Beach, Fla.-based agent Rick Davis, who is former Auburn coach Terry Bowden's lawyer.

"He weighed his options and he felt this was the best thing for him to do, to go to the NFL, Davis said."

Baker didn't return a telephone call from the Register. Baker, 23, a native of Gainesville, Fla., briefly considered attempting to regain his eligibility in order to play for Auburn this fall as a fifth-year senior proposition that proved controversial among Auburn fans. Yet Baker ended that possibility when he dropped out of school this week.

"I told him he would enhance his position in the draft if he went back to school, Davis said. We didn't recruit him. This was his decision." Click HERE for complete story!!!

Posted 5/9/99

Court finds AU player Carter not guilty :

Auburn football player Demontray Carter was found not guilty and teammate Reggie Worthy's case was dismissed Thursday in a misdemeanor harassment case brought by Auburn student Canisha Freeman.

Auburn Municipal Court Judge Joe Bailey found Carter not guilty after almost two hours of testimony. Worthy's case was dismissed in a youthful offender motion afterwards.

Freeman had charged Carter and Worthy threw beer on her at a party off campus at the Habitat apartments on April 24 only hours after Auburn completed its spring football practice with its annual A-Day Game. She also claimed Worthy had hit her.

Carter, Auburn's starting running back, and Worthy, a starting wide receiver, had said they had asked Freeman to leave the party before the alleged incident occurred. Click HERE for complete story!!!

Posted 5/9/99

AU offers jobs to six players off scholarship :

Auburn University will honor its financial commitment to the six football players it removed from scholarship last week by offering them student jobs within the athletic department.

Auburn athletics director David Housel acknowledged the plan Wednesday, a week after new coach Tommy Tuberville removed those players from his squad. Tuberville's decision not to renew the one-year scholarships surprised the players and had the Auburn athletic department working behind the scenes to find an amicable solution.

Housel said he would ensure the players would receive benefits equal to an athletic scholarship until the players graduated. Sophomore offensive tackle Brandon Taylor will take advantage of the offer, but it was unknown Wednesday how many other players would follow suit. All the players have the option to transfer to another school.

"What we're going through is very painful to everybody involved," said Housel. "It's painful to the coaches, it's painful to those of us who work in the athletic department and it's especially painful to the young men and their parents who are going through it. Click HERE for complete story!!!

Posted 5/5/99

Hoover wants the SEC Tournament on a permanent basis :

Things went so smoothly at last year's Southeastern Conference Baseball Tournament, organizers want the event held at the Hoover Met every year.

Leaders from the SEC office are thinking along the same lines.

``I think there's a fairly strong sentiment in the conference to move in that direction,'' said SEC associate commissioner Brad Davis. ``We poll coaches each year, and we've had several tell us to keep it here and let it grow.''

The tournament was held at The Met in 1996, then moved to Golden Park in Columbus, Ga., in 1997.

But Golden Park seats less than half of what the 10,800-seat Hoover Met holds and coaches complained about the playing field from the minute the teams arrived. So the tournament went back to Hoover last year in a three-year deal.

Last year's tournament drew a record 87,000 fans, shattering the previous high by 20,000 that was set at the 1996 event.

``We think this can become a regional event, where fans will come even when Alabama and Auburn aren't here,'' Davis said. ``That's what we've built with the football championship game and the men's basketball tournament. That's the potential.''

Alabama Sports Foundation director Gene Hallman said ticket sales are slightly better than they were at this point a year ago, meaning crowds at the four-day event that begins May 19 could set another record.

SEC commissioner Roy Kramer said the numbers prove that the SEC Tournament is one of the top events in collegiate baseball. He said that no other conference tournament comes close in terms of attendance and only the College World Series draws more fans.

Kramer also said that this year's tournament should be one of the most competitive ones in SEC history. With two weeks left in the regular season, 11 of the 12 SEC teams have a shot at the eight tournament berths. A team must make the SEC tournament for a chance to earn a berth to the NCAA Tournament.

``If you could tell me who the favorite is right now, I'd listen,'' Kramer said. ``Any one of eight or nine teams could walk out of here with the title. There's more riding on this tournament than any other one we've had.''

The final decision on whether or not the Hoover Met will become the permanent home of the tournament won't be decided until next year when SEC athletics directors vote on the issue.

Posted 5/4/99

This article is dedicated to all the Seminoles who frequented my forum a couple of months ago: I hope you enjoy it!!! :

From ESPN: TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida State defensive tackle Bryne Malone was denied bond at his first court appearance on attempted murder charges Saturday, a day after his arrest in connection with a drive-by shooting.

Malone, 22, a sophomore last season, was kicked off the football team. He was charged with (6) six counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Malone and another man, Julian Moore, 20, allegedly drove up to a house in a white two-door hatchback early Friday and fired shots at the home of several FSU students. No one was injured.Both Malone and Moore denied involvement, police said.

Larry Smith, a nose guard who played two seasons with Malone at FSU, said he was shocked to hear of the arrest."He was pretty much a quiet person throughout the time I've been around him. I wouldn't expect anything like this from him, if he really did it," said Smith, a second-round draft choice of the Jacksonville Jaguars last month. "I guess it was a case of him hanging around the wrong kind of crowd." Police said Moore was in the car with Malone and had a running dispute with the students who lived at the house. Moore was charged with four counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He also was ordered held without bond.

The 6-foot-7, 263-pound Malone played in nine games last season, recording 14 tackles and a sack.He went into spring practice competing against four freshmen for key backup roles to defensive linemen Corey Simon and Jerry Johnson. After spring practice, Malone was listed on the depth chart as Johnson's backup at defensive tackle. FSU defensive back Abdual Howard said Malone's absence on the field will be felt. "It's a big loss," he said. "We were counting on him to be a major contributor this year."

Posted 4/29/99

Page quits and 6 others lose their scholarship :

Defensive end Don Page of Foley has left the Auburn football team, and six others have been released from their scholarships.

Page signed with Auburn two years ago but failed to qualify academically. He re-signed with the Tigers this past February and enrolled at Auburn last Winter Quarter.

He was not able to practice with the team this spring, however, and reportedly has left the football program. There is a slim chance that Page could return, but sources close to the situation indicate that he is interested in transferring to Central Florida.

It has been reported on SportsCall, an Auburn radio show hosted by Bill Cameron and Andy Burcham, that junior Roman Nelson, sophomore Brandon Taylor, and redshirt freshmen Willie Northern, Brian Parchinski and Shawn Bushong have had their scholarships taken away.

Former walk-on Manning Sumner, a junior linebacker from Birmingham, also had his scholarship taken away.

Nelson, a native of Fairfax, Virginia, has seen sparse playing time as a back-up fullback. Taylor, an Olive Branch, Mississippi native practiced as the third team right tackle.

Northern was a highly-touted wide receiver out of Quincy, Florida when he inked with the Tigers two years ago. He was listed as the team's top "H-Back" midway through the spring training, but reportedly had an off the field altercation last week that may have put his scholarship in jeopardy.

Sources indicate that Northern hopes to transfer to Alabama. The Tide's Ronnie Cottrell recruited Northern hard out of high school, but he chose Auburn. Now, he may now have a chance to play for Alabama after all.

Parchinski and Bushong, both Florida natives, played defensive end and center, respectively.

Curtis Lee, a reserve tailback from Jacksonville, Florida, left the team earlier this spring. Lee is currently finishing up his classwork for spring quarter and hopes to transfer to Clemson next season.

Posted 4/29/99

Auburn undecided on players' discipline :
Auburn athletic officials have not determined if any disciplinary action is needed against running back Demontray Carter and wide receiver Reggie Worthy after the two were charged with misdemeanor harassment Monday.

Carter and Worthy were charged after a female student said the two poured beer on her. She also said Worthy hit her and pushed her into a car.

"What the appropriate disciplinary action will be depends on all the facts involved around that situation," Auburn athletics director David Housel said Wednesday.

For now, Carter and Worthy will be with the team as they prepare for off-season workouts. Auburn concluded spring football practice last Saturday with its annual A-Day Game. Hours later, Canisha Freeman, a 19-year-old student, said Carter and Worthy poured beer on her at an off-campus apartment party, according to an Auburn police report. Click HERE for complete story!!!

Posted 4/29/99

Auburn student defends action against players :
Last Thursday, sophomore Canisha Freeman helped Auburn tailback Demontray Carter study for a Family Studies test.

Saturday afternoon Freeman cheered for Carter as he played in the annual A-Day spring game.

Saturday night, she filed a complaint against Carter and wide receiver Reggie Worthy with Auburn police. Both were charged with misdemeanor harassment and released on bond.

''Everybody's mad at me, Freeman said Wednesday, ''but this is my only form of retaliation. They were bigger than me, and I couldnt fight back physically. Click HERE for complete story!!!

Posted 4/24/99

It's all Gross!!! :
Gabe Gross certainly had a busy day, and will probably sleep well tonight. Gabe starts the day off by winning the MVP award at A-Day, after passing for a combined total of 16-25, 191 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT, while playing QB for both Blue and White teams. Most players go back to the dorms and resume their day, but Gross walks across the street to Plainsman Park and makes it in time for batting practice. All Gabe was able to do is hit the game winning run to defeat Ole Miss 9-8. The game was tied 8-8 going into the bottom of the 9th inning. With 1 out and bases loaded, Gross steps to the plate and gets the game winning hit that brings Mailon Kent home to beat the rebels. Just think, this guy is a true freshman, and we are fortunate to have him around for 3 more years. I have a feeling we will be enjoying his talent and game winning hits and touchdowns for a good while!

Posted 4/24/99

BLUE 14, WHITE 10 in A-DAY!!! :
SCORING:

                    WHITE      BLUE
First Downs           13        14
Rushes-Yards        18-22      28-103
Passing Yards        152        204
Return Yards           0         0
Comp-Att-Int        19-34-0    17-31-1
Punts               5-32.6     2-44.0
Fumbles-Lost          2-2       1-0
Penalties-Yards       0-0       8-40
Time of Possession   30:05     29:55
First Quarter:
BLUE – Reggie Worthy 21-yard pass from Gabe Gross (Robert Bironas PAT).

Second Quarter:
WHITE – Tellie Embery three-yard run (Bironas kick).
BLUE – Gross six-yard run (Bironas kick).
WHITE – Bironas 26-yard field goal.

Third Quarter:
No scoring.

Fourth Quarter:
No scoring.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing:
BLUE – Burks, 12-49; Cooper, 1-22; D. Carter, 8-17; Evans, 4-8; Gross, 2-5, 1TD; B. Baker, 1-2.
WHITE – Burks, 8-21; Evans, 3-14; Embery, 2-5, 1 TD; Hall, 1-3; Leard, 1-0; Gross, 1-(-4); Klein 2-(-17).

Passing:
BLUE – Gross, 11-16-1, 143, 1 TD; Klein, 6-10-0, 61; Leard, 0-5-0.
WHITE – Leard, 10-17-0, 68; Gross, 5-9-0, 48; Klein, 2-3-0, 23; J. Allen, 2-5-0, 13.

Receiving:
BLUE – Worthy, 5-58, 1 TD; Daniels, 3-58; Diamond, 3-42; T. Carter, 2-27; Cooper, 2-13; Moore, 2-6.
WHITE – Ezell, 4-42; Causey, 4-40; Burks, 5-20; Tankersley, 2-18; Beasley, 2-17; Embery, 1-11; T. Carter, 1-4.

Punting:
BLUE – Duval, 2-44.0
WHITE – Duval, 5-32.6.

Kicking:
BLUE – Bironas, 0-1 FG, 2-2 PAT.
WHITE – Bironas, 1-1 FG, 1-1 PAT.

Attendance–33,117.


On a overcast and muggy day down in Auburn the Tigers hit the field for their first A-Day game under their new coach Tommy Tuberville. All spring Tuberville and his staff have been working to implement their system. Today it seemed that all their hard work had finally paid off.

On the opening play of the game Gabe Gross, showing no signs of baseball rust, hooked up with tight end Lorenzo Diamond for a 22 yard gain for the Blue team. From that point everything clicked pretty well for both teams.

"It was a fun day. I think our guys had a good time", Tuberville said. "Offensively, it was a bit of a relief to see us score a couple of touchdowns. I was really proud of our quaterbacks." Click HERE for complete story!!!


Tommy Tuberville used the words “relief” and “fun” to describe his impressions of his first Auburn A-Day football game. The offense, which was stuffed in the previous two major spring scrimmages, showed signs of life Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Having a competitive scrimmage, with crisp execution for a spring game, made for a fun afternoon, the new AU head coach added. With 33,177 fans watching on a warm and muggy afternoon, they saw quarterback Gabe Gross have by far his best outing of an interesting spring during which he divided his time between playing left field for the baseball team and learning a new football offense.

The sophomore-to-be spent the first half on the winning Blue team, which scored a 14-10 victory thanks to two touchdowns involving Gross. He threw a 21-yard scoring strike to Reggie Worthy at the 4:07 mark of the first period in a game that featured four 12-minute quarters. In the second quarter, he scrambled in for a six-yard touchdown, just getting inside the end zone corner flag after he couldn’t find an open receiver on a rollout pass play. Then, he walked across the street and started in left field in a baseball game vs. Ole Miss.

Tuberville said, “Gabe threw the ball a lot sharper today than I have seen him throw it. The ball actually had a spiral on it at times,” the head coach added with a smile. “He has just had a tough time throwing a baseball then coming over here and throwing a football. You could tell the competitive nature he has and I think it is going to be a good competition in two-a-days.”

In the first half, playing for the Blue team that had the number one offense and the number two defense, Gross completed 11-16 passes for 143 yards and one touchdown. He had one interception on a pass that should have been caught by Ronney Daniels, who had three catches for 58 yards. In the second half, playing with the second offense, Gross completed five of nine passes for 48 yards with no interceptions.

Quarterback Ben Leard, who entered A-Day as the man who had spent most of the spring running the first unit, played the first half with the second offense and completed 10-17 passes for 68 yards with no interceptions, a huge improvement over a scrimmage a week earlier when he was intercepted four times. Playing with the number ones in the second half, he threw just five passes and none were caught, although Daniels dropped a sure touchdown and Willie Northern had a chance for a score before pulling up short on a pass thrown into the end zone.

“I think this was our best performance of the spring on offense,” said Leard. “We made a lot of good things happen as an offense.”

Tuberville said, “I was really proud of our quarterbacks. They competed hard. They knew more of what was going on with the offense. They took it more serious today. Being in a game-type situation, I think the fans helped. Overall, the game was fun to watch and exciting. We still have a long way to go. We had some guys step up today and make a few plays.”

Tuberville singled out walk-on redshirt sophomore linebacker Alex Lincoln and redshirt freshman tight end Lorenzo Diamond as players who stood out. Lincoln, who was named defensive MVP of the spring game, said, “I think the defense came along a little quicker than the offense this spring. A lot of times you can mess up on defense, but as long as you stay full speed you can still make things happen. It isn’t always that way on offense.”

Running back Heath Evans said, “It was a long spring, but there was a lot of learning and we got better. The crowd today made it more exciting. I missed some of my men out there, but I had to remember the young guys have to play.”

It certainly didn’t hurt the offense that Tuberville and defensive coordinator John Lovett gave some of Evans’ “men” the day off. Defensive end Marcus Washington, cornerback Antwoine Nolan, defensive tackle Jimmy Brumbaugh and defensive end Quinton Reese watched from the sidelines. “I didn’t want them to go out and possibly have some freak injury in the spring game and knock them behind what they are now,” Tuberville said. “It also gave us a chance for our offense to move the ball a little bit.”

There were no serious injuries in the A-Day contest although wide receiver Markeith Cooper was sidelined by a dislocated elbow.

Posted 4/24/99

Auburn's offense: From ugly to Gross :
It wasn't panic on offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone's face as he walked off the field last week after Auburn's scrimmage. It was stunned amusement.

"Oh, man," he said shaking his head with a smile that wasn't completely a smile. "Oh, man."

His unit had just tossed eight interceptions, surrendered 12 sacks and averaged about one yard per carry on the ground.

Oh, man.

And now this same offense will be on display in today's A-Day Game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in front of roughly 30,000 Auburn fans who want to believe that next fall won't be a repeat of last year's disastrous 3-8 campaign, which was punctuated by the Southeastern Conference's 11th-rated offense. Click HERE for complete story!!!

Posted 4/24/99

Tillman qualifies and Lowder has 8 more years :
QB signee Allen Tillman has qualified academically by passing his ACT. This is great news and will add to the competition level of the QB position heading into the fall. Tillman, who is strikingly similar to Dameyune Craig, will now be able to compete for the starting QB position along with Gabe Gross and Ben Leard.

In other news, AU backer Bobby Lowder has been given another 8 years on the Auburn board of trustees by the Governer. Lowder had contributed approxiamately $57,000 to the Governer's campaigne.

Posted 3/31/99

Auburn receiver arrested on charges of having sex with 15-year-old :
Auburn receiver and punt returner Clifton Robinson was arrested early Wednesday on second-degree rape charges for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old girl.

The alleged incident occurred at an Auburn apartment about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. Robinson, 20, apparently knew the teen-ager, police said.

A spokeswoman at the Lee County Justice Center said Wednesday afternoon Robinson had been released on bond, but didn't immediately know the amount.

Second-degree rape, a felony, occurs when a male over the age of 16 has sex with a female under the age of 16, provided the male is at least two years older than the female. The sex can be consensual. If convicted, Robinson could face a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Click HERE for complete story.

Posted 3/29/99

AUBURN WINS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP; WAR EAGLE! :
The Auburn men's swim team won its second NCAA title in three years as Auburn scored 467.5 points and Head Coach David Marsh was named Coach of the Year. AU won a total of seven events including four of the five relays and three individual events. AU finished the meet just like they started it, by setting an NCAA, NCAA meet and U.S. Open record, only this time in the 400 free relay. Brock Newman, Brett Hawke, Aaron Ciarla and Romain Barnier swam a record time of 2:50.90.

"I was like a cat on a hot stove Saturday night," said Marsh. "The relays played a crucial role. The fun thing about it was that there were different heroes on each different relay."

Dave Denniston won his first ever individual NCAA title as he won the 200 breaststroke with a time of 1:55.51. Denniston broke the school record formerly held by Adam Jerger (1:57.90) during prelims when he swam 1:56.50 then broke his own record in the finals.

"This is a dream come true. That's why I came to Auburn, why a lot of guys did. Being this close and being able to taste it is a lot of fun," said Denniston. Click HERE for complete story!!!

Posted 3/29/99

Collier's AU future in doubt :
Meiko Colliers days as an Auburn football player might be over.

Collier, a highly recruited quarterback out of Cordelle, Ga., is on academic suspension for two quarters. Unless he appeals successfully to be readmitted into school, he will no longer be part of the Auburn football team.

He will not be on the field Sunday when Auburn opens its first spring practice under head coach Tommy Tuberville.

Collier, who would have been a redshirt sophomore, threw just one pass last season. He has struggled with his weight since arriving at Auburn and now weighs in at 256 pounds. He got brief looks last season at tight end, wide receiver and fullback, but insisted all along he wanted his future to be at quarterback. Click HERE for complete story!!!

Posted 3/16/99

Husker Baseball Team Pounds Out NCAA Scoring Record :
This is not exactly an Auburn News story, but it is an incredible news item. You must read this!!!

It was a smashing effort for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who set two NCAA scoring records in routing Chicago State 50-3 during the second game of a doubleheader Tuesday.

That's right. Fifty-to-three.

``When people see it in the paper, they'll probably think it's a misprint,'' said Nebraska infielder Craig Moore.

It was 23-0 after the third inning and 32-2 after the fourth. The Lincoln, Neb., game ended on the 10-run mercy rule after 6-1/2 innings. Click HERE for complete story!

Posted 3/8/99

Alabama buys out Legion Field games :
Alabama will pay the city of Birmingham more than $1 million to move three home games from Legion Field to Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa over the next three seasons.

Athletic director Bob Bockrath said the home games with Auburn and Tennessee between 1999 and 2001 would be moved to the campus. The university will pay $350,000 for each game moved and guarantee playing four additional games at Legion Field beyond the current contract, which extends through the 2001 season.

"This represents a significant event in Alabama football history," Bockrath said Friday. "Although both Tennessee and Auburn have played football games in Tuscaloosa in the past, only Tennessee has played a game in what is now Bryant-Denny Stadium."

Bockrath said the agreement with Birmingham Mayor Richard Arrington ensures that all future Southeastern Conference games will be played at Bryant-Denny. Click HERE for complete story!

Posted 3/4/99

Randy Vickers expected to make full recovery :
Auburn football signee Randy Vickers suffered a ruptured spleen in a car accident Friday.

The Athens, Ala. native was taken to Huntsville Hospital and is recovering there. Vickers was a passenger in one of three cars that crashed on U.S. Alternate Route 72.

His mother Sheila Vickers told the Decatur Daily that Randy would probably not need surgery.

"They expect a full recovery," Mrs. Vickers said. "He's just going to have to take it easy for a couple of weeks."

A 6-foot-1, 205-pound defensive back, Vickers totaled totaled 57 tackles and six interceptions as a senior. On offense, he rushed for 1,184 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Vickers is also a standout on the AHS baseball team. Click HERE for more on the story!


Auburn Publications Awarded "The Best"!!!

Posted 7/30/98

Several publications and programs received accolades from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSida) at their 1998 convention in Spokane, Washington. Six Citations of Excellence were given to Auburn publications produced during the course of the 1997-98 athletic year.

The publications were edited by the Auburn Athletic Department Media Relations Office and published by the Auburn Network.

The awards include the 1998 Plainsman Park Illustrated game program being voted "Best In The Nation." The program is published by the Auburn Network, edited by Scott Stricklin of Auburn Media Relations and printed by Craftmaster Printers in Auburn.

Additional awards included "Best In The Nation" status for the cover of the 1998 Plainsman Park Illustrated and for the 1997 Football Post-Season Media Guide, edited by Media Relations director Kent Partridge.

Auburn was also awarded second place for its 1997 Football Media Guide, the 1997 Auburn Football Illustrated game programs, and for the 1997 Baseball Media Guide.

The second place finish for the 1997 Auburn Football Illustrated game program marks for the first time in four years that the publication has not been picked as the top college football game program.


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