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Thread: Cars! Cars! Cars!

  1. #1
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    Cars! Cars! Cars!

    This I just read....








    Ohio State to investigate players' car deals

    Official: No known problems with dozens of sales

    Saturday, May 7, 2011 03:07 AM
    By Jill Riepenhoff, Mike Wagner and Randy Ludlow

    Saturday, May 7, 2011

    Ohio State University's chief enforcer of NCAA rules said
    yesterday that he will investigate used-car purchases made
    by dozens of OSU athletes at two Columbus car dealers to see
    if any sale violated collegiate rules.

    The investigation was initiated after The Dispatch found in
    public records that at least eight Ohio State athletes and
    11 athletes' relatives bought used cars from Jack Maxton
    Chevrolet or Auto Direct during the past five years. The
    investigation will involve outside experts and examine at
    least 50 sales, focusing on whether the athletes received
    improper benefits.

    The common thread in those two dozen transactions was the
    salesman: Aaron Kniffin, who has worked at both dealerships.

    "We'll take a step back, we'll take a look at the
    transactions and the values, and we'll make some
    determinations in consultation with the (Big Ten) conference
    office and go from there," said Doug Archie, associate
    athletic director and head of compliance at OSU.

    "I have nothing to believe a violation has occurred," he
    said.

    NCAA rules don't prohibit athletes from shopping at the same
    stores, eating at the same restaurants or buying cars at
    the same dealerships. The rules prohibit athletes and their
    relatives from receiving discounts that are not offered to
    the general public.

    In a joint interview with Archie yesterday, Jack Maxton
    owner Jeff Mauk and Auto Direct owner Jason Goss both said
    they never have given athletes special deals.

    Mauk estimated that 40 to 50 Buckeyes bought cars from his
    dealership in the past five or six years .

    Archie said that he was aware of all the transactions
    involving the athletes that The Dispatch found, but he was
    unaware of purchases made by their relatives.

    Both dealers, whose businesses are not connected, say they
    routinely call Archie's office when an athlete is ready to
    buy a car, provide the purchase price and discuss who will
    co-sign on a loan. Archie said he relies on the car dealers
    to provide accurate information.

    "I'm not a car expert. We have to rely on their integrity
    and their word when it comes to selling a car," he said.
    Ohio State runs "spot checks" on some transactions against
    the Kelley Blue Book value.

    Archie said that he'd rather one or two dealerships didn't
    receive all the OSU business. "It's something from a
    compliance perspective that I would rather not have," he
    said.

    Goss and Kniffin both have attended seven football games as
    guests of players, including the 2007 national championship
    and the 2009 Fiesta Bowl. At some point after 2008, Archie
    barred Kniffin from the players' pass list because OSU rules
    prohibit athletes from inviting people with whom they do
    business.

    Goss said he received his passes from athletes who never
    bought cars from him.

    Kniffin told The Dispatch that he has sold cars to at least
    four dozen OSU athletes and their relatives, that the OSU
    compliance staff directed them to him, and that university
    officials reviewed all documents before sales were final.

    Archie said that he has spoken to Kniffin only once, never
    reviews sales documents and has not directed players to any
    dealerships.

    All but one athlete and all of the relatives could not be
    reached for comment or did not respond to requests for
    comment.

    The purchases reviewed by The Dispatch were made when
    Kniffin worked at Maxton between 2004 and 2009 and then at
    Auto Direct between 2009 and 2010.

    Public records show that in 2009, a 2-year-old Chrysler 300
    with less than 20,000 miles was titled to then-sophomore
    linebacker Thaddeus Gibson. Documents show the purchase
    price as $0.

    Mauk could not explain it. "I don't give cars for free," he
    said. Gibson said he was unaware the title on his car showed
    zero as the sales price. "I paid for the car, and I'm still
    paying for it," he said, declining to answer further
    questions.

    The cars involved sold for the average price of $11,600.
    Most vehicles were Chevrolets, Buicks or Dodges manufactured
    between 2000 and 2007. More than half had less than 50,000
    miles when sold by Kniffin. Six cars had more than 100,000
    miles.

    Legally, dealers can sell cars at whatever price they want
    and are not bound by NCAA rules.

    The Dispatch reviewed sales prices from Ohio Bureau of Motor
    Vehicle records of the 24 car transactions. The records
    detail the year, make, model and mileage.

    Officials at two national car-valuation companies - National
    Automobile Dealers Association and Kelley Blue Book - were
    asked by The Dispatch to estimate the value of the cars at
    the time of purchase. The values they estimated were higher
    than the price paid in nearly half of the transactions.
    However, they said it's difficult to accurately evaluate the
    sales without seeing the vehicles to assess condition and
    options.

    "No one can tell you what a car's worth," Goss said.

    Goss said that the athletes and relatives found his
    dealership because he sells good cars at good prices. "I
    know how to buy cars right," he said, noting that he buys
    cars and acquires trade-ins at low prices, permitting him to
    sell cars well below retail.

    Two former NCAA enforcement officials, who spoke to The
    Dispatch on the condition of anonymity, individually said
    there's cause for concern.

    The two collectively have decades of NCAA compliance
    experience. Neither had ever heard of so many athletes
    buying cars from the same salesman.

    Car ownership among athletes has been a recurring issue at
    Ohio State dating back to Maurice Clarett in 2003 and
    extending to the current NCAA investigation of OSU
    memorabilia sales in which, among other things, one player
    traded Rose Bowl watches for a vehicle. Four of the six
    players suspended for selling items for tattoos - or their
    relatives - also bought cars from the dealers.

    The Dispatch began looking at car ownership after Kniffin's
    name showed up on the players' guest list for three football
    games in 2007.

    By then, Kniffin, who was working for Maxton, had sold cars
    to football players Gibson, Chris "Beanie" Wells and Maurice
    Wells while they were still in school. The mothers of both
    Wells' also bought cars. At the time, Beanie's mom lived in
    Akron and Maurice's lived in Maryland.

    While employed there, Kniffin also sold cars to football
    players Robert Rose, Doug Worthington and Solomon Thomas. He
    also sold cars to Kurt Coleman's brother, Robert Rose's
    father and Ray Small's father.

    While at Auto Direct, a used-car dealership at 2300 E.
    Dublin-Granville Rd., he sold to wide receiver DeVier Posey
    and basketball player William Buford. Relatives who bought
    cars from Kniffin include Pryor's mother and brother, Daniel
    "Boom" Herron's father, basketball player Jon Diebler's
    parents and Solomon Thomas' father.

    Kniffin also loaned cars to quarterback Terrelle Pryor,
    including his own for a three-day test drive to
    Pennsylvania, where Pryor lives.

    Kniffin, 42, who is now selling cars in an undisclosed
    state, vividly recalled details of the cars sold. He
    disputed, however, the sales prices that were listed on
    state motor-vehicle records.

    "The sales price is much more than that," he said. "You are
    so far away from what the transactions are all about."

    Ohio law requires dealers to report accurate information
    about all car sales for tax purposes. Failure to submit
    accurate information is a first-degree misdemeanor
    punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

    Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Registrar Mike Rankin said the
    agency would investigate the transactions amid Kniffin's
    statement that the figures listed on titles were less than
    the true sale prices. Rankin likewise was puzzled by
    Gibson's title reflecting a loan but no sales price.

    "There are clearly some issues that are problematic. It's
    worth seeing if there are any dealer improprieties," Rankin
    said.

    Goss disputed Kniffin's assertion that vehicles were sold to
    OSU players at prices higher than listed on the titles.
    "Titles reflect sales prices."

    Auto Direct's showroom is filled with autographed jerseys
    from former and current players who have purchased cars from
    Kniffin.

    Goss, who said he is a big Buckeyes fan, said he received no
    memorabilia from players, who autographed jerseys he had
    purchased while buying their cars.

    Kniffin, who said he is not an OSU fan, has had financial
    problems since 2006. He now owes more than $130,000 to the
    IRS, and his $570,000 Delaware County home is in
    foreclosure.

    At least six major athletic programs have faced NCAA
    sanctions since 1990 because their athletes had free use of
    cars or received suspect deals on purchases: Arizona State
    (2005), Illinois (1990 and 2005), Minnesota (2000),
    Louisville (1996), Michigan State (1996), and Southern
    California (2010).

    [email="jriepenhoff@dispatch.com"]jriepenhoff@dispatch.com[/email]





    Gee, I hope Cameron Heyward wasn't involved with this.

  2. #2
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    Re: Cars! Cars! Cars!

    Who cares if Heyward was involved, it has nothing to do with the Steelers.

    Thadeus was honest about the tattoos and cars and so was Claurett and a few other players once they left State. I was a little shocked at how slow the NCAA was to investigate this given all the confessions from past Buckeyes.

    The Vest or the boosters must really be scumbags because players are quick to spill the beans once they leave.
    I lost a bet about Najee gaining 1300 yards.

    "Our head coach has failed to win a playoff game for seven years in a row. His game day strategy, culture of divas, in game decisions, clock management, player evaluation, hires, and affinity with sub par starters at RB, P, and OL are holding the Steelers back. That standard remains the standard"



  3. #3
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    Re: Cars! Cars! Cars!

    say it ain't so Shawn...
    Steel Maniac's Time-Based Prediction: Lamar Jackson will be a bust and total flop in the NFL.

    What Actually Happened: Lamar Jackson became the youngest two-time NFL MVP winner ever.

    Gloat gloat gloat


    Boom........

    Hahahahahahaha

  4. #4
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    Re: Cars! Cars! Cars!

    Football players bought cars...and this is news?
    Trolls are people too.

  5. #5
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    Re: Cars! Cars! Cars!

    Shawn, I think it's only news because everyone is finding out how slimy Tressell really is.


  6. #6
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    Re: Cars! Cars! Cars!

    Quote Originally Posted by birtikidis
    Shawn, I think it's only news because everyone is finding out how slimy Tressell really is.
    Slimy? Have you ever met the man? Yet you judge him? Why are people so quick to label another human being?
    Trolls are people too.

  7. #7
    Legend

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    Re: Cars! Cars! Cars!

    Quote Originally Posted by Shawn
    Quote Originally Posted by birtikidis
    Shawn, I think it's only news because everyone is finding out how slimy Tressell really is.
    Slimy? Have you ever met the man? Yet you judge him? Why are people so quick to label another human being?

    Rashard in 3,...2,...1,...

    Molon labe

    People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. George Orwell

    ?We're not going to apologize for winning.?
    Mike Tomlin

    American metal pimped by asiansteel
    Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you 1. Jesus Christ, 2.The American G.I., One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

  8. #8
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    Re: Cars! Cars! Cars!

    Quote Originally Posted by Shawn
    Quote Originally Posted by birtikidis
    Shawn, I think it's only news because everyone is finding out how slimy Tressell really is.
    Slimy? Have you ever met the man? Yet you judge him? Why are people so quick to label another human being?
    Well he was just slightly slimy when he took the OSU job. I mean, it is OSU after all (being a michigan and gator fan, it's hard not to judge).
    plus it's ohio. I mean ohio. have you ever actually thought about ohio?

    is he your dad shawn? so sensitive.


  9. #9
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    Re: Cars! Cars! Cars!

    Quote Originally Posted by birtikidis
    Quote Originally Posted by Shawn
    Quote Originally Posted by birtikidis
    Shawn, I think it's only news because everyone is finding out how slimy Tressell really is.
    Slimy? Have you ever met the man? Yet you judge him? Why are people so quick to label another human being?
    Well he was just slightly slimy when he took the OSU job. I mean, it is OSU after all (being a michigan and gator fan, it's hard not to judge).
    plus it's ohio. I mean ohio. have you ever actually thought about ohio?

    is he your dad shawn? so sensitive.
    Actually, he was slimy before he took the O$U job. Look what he did at YSU with Mickey Monus and his star qb.

  10. #10
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    Re: Cars! Cars! Cars!

    Quote Originally Posted by birtikidis
    Quote Originally Posted by Shawn
    Quote Originally Posted by birtikidis
    Shawn, I think it's only news because everyone is finding out how slimy Tressell really is.
    Slimy? Have you ever met the man? Yet you judge him? Why are people so quick to label another human being?
    Well he was just slightly slimy when he took the OSU job. I mean, it is OSU after all (being a michigan and gator fan, it's hard not to judge).
    plus it's ohio. I mean ohio. have you ever actually thought about ohio?

    is he your dad shawn? so sensitive.
    Trust me, I am not a fan of Florida or Michigan, so I get some of the antipathy. I have just heard much judgment of Tressel recently and feel many judge the man from afar. Most that judge him don't know him. He very well might lose his job over all of this, is probably going through some sleepless nights and is now the poster boy for NCAA violations. I don't know how much he was involved in all of this but I don't doubt he will be the fall guy. I don't know if some of the judgment is fair, but I do know I am hesitant to be the one pointing the finger. That's my only point.
    Trolls are people too.

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