NCAA places Auburn on two years probation

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) _ The NCAA placed Auburn's basketball program on two years probation Tuesday, cutting one scholarship but exonerating the university of major rules violations. <br><br>The ruling

Tuesday, April 27th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) _ The NCAA placed Auburn's basketball program on two years probation Tuesday, cutting one scholarship but exonerating the university of major rules violations.

The ruling cleared Auburn of the most serious allegations in a two-year probe into the recruitment of high school prospects Chadd Moore and Jackie Butler, including offering cash and cars.

The university, which had denied the major allegations, had already self-imposed penalties, including the loss of one scholarship.

In finding Auburn innocent of the most significant allegations, the NCAA cleared Auburn assistant coach Shannon Weaver of offering $50,000 and a car to the mother of Huntsville prep star Chadd Moore.

Auburn also was found innocent on charges of offering Butler, of McComb, Miss., $70,000 and a new sports utility vehicle valued at over $40,000.

Neither player made official visits to Auburn and the university had maintained that neither was offered a scholarship. Both were sophomores at the time of the alleged offers.

Auburn provided records to the NCAA that the university maintains show Weaver was actually under the care of a dentist in Scottsboro when he allegedly made the offer to Moore's mother, Clara Moore.

Coach Cliff Ellis, who was not implicated by the NCAA, was fired on March 18 and replaced by former Chattanooga coach Jeff Lebo.

Moore and Butler played summer ball for AAU basketball coach Mark Komara of Huntsville, whom the NCAA alleged was a representative of Auburn and was involved in improper recruitment.

Mike Walker, a Mississippi sports agent, made the initial allegations in March 2001.