Auburn Teams Face Several Allegations

The athletic program at Auburn was rocked from all sides Friday. Two former Tiger football players claimed they received illegal payments from coaches and alumni, and school officials met with the NCAA to discuss infractions in the basketball and tennis programs.

Eric Ramsey, a former Auburn defensive back, told the Montgomery Advertiser that he recorded conversations for several years while he played for the Tigers. One of his former teammates, Alex Strong, said he remembers vividly how he was advised to “keep it quiet” when he and other top players were paid regularly by coaches for everything from car bills to steaks.

Coaches at Auburn denied the charges, and at least two other former players said they were not aware of anybody receiving money in violation of NCAA rules.

The allegations come three months after Ramsey, 23, charged that the Auburn football program treated black athletes condescendingly.

Meanwhile, Strong, 25, who played fullback from 1985-89, said payments to players were common and that he got “a couple of thousand a year” through a coach, Frank Young.

Auburn’s basketball and tennis program have been accused of illegal recruiting benefits. The school has confirmed that violations were committed.

The basketball investigation at Auburn centers on the recruiting of Jeffrey Bellmer, a prospect who signed a national letter of intent to play with Auburn but never enrolled when he failed to qualify academically.