An NCAA panel has proposed broadening the definition of agents in a move aimed at closing the loophole that allowed Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton to keep playing despite his father's pay-for-play scheme - and puzzled many across college athletics.
The Division I Amateurism Cabinet is sponsoring legislation that would include family members and other third parties who shop an athlete's services to schools for financial gain, the NCAA announced Tuesday on its Web site.
The NCAA determined that Cecil Newton - Cam's father - sought money from Mississippi State when Cam Newton was being recruited out of junior college. The quarterback signed with Auburn and was deemed eligible after a one-day suspension when the NCAA's reinstatement staff found he didn't know about the pay-for-play scheme. He was cleared to play in the SEC and national championship games.
Auburn went on to win both titles, and Newton wound up as the No. 1 overall NFL draft pick by the Carolina Panthers.
The Division I Leadership Council will review the new proposal at its meeting on Aug. 2.
If passed, the legislation would cover people marketing athletes to colleges, not just professional teams, for profit.
Gamecocks assistant suspended: South Carolina assistant coach G.A. Mangus was suspended by Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier after being arrested in Greenville.
The third-year quarterbacks coach was charged with nuisance conduct after officers saw him urinating on a downtown street.
"G.A. has been suspended from all coaching activities until this matter is resolved," Spurrier said Tuesday in statement. "We are disappointed in his actions and will handle it accordingly."
Greenville Police Department spokesman Sgt. Jason Rampey said Mangus has been released from jail. The 42-year-old coach faces a $470 fine if convicted.
Mangus, 42, was in Greenville for a meeting of state high school coaches.
Mangus apologized for his actions to Spurrier, athletic director Eric Hyman and the football team. "Last night, I acted irresponsibly and I deeply regret my actions," he said. "I take full responsibility."
The police report said Mangus was seen urinating on the curb and roadway. When officers talked to Mangus, he appeared "unsteady on his feet and he had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his person," according to the report.
Pryor 'disassociated' from Buckeyes: Ohio State made it official on Tuesday that former Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor could not have played at any time during the 2011 season and also banned him from any contact with the school's athletic program for the next five years.
Ending speculation that Pryor had not met the NFL's requirements for a supplemental draft, Pryor's lawyer sought and received a letter from Ohio State stating that he would not have been eligible even after his five-game suspension to start the season. Because he also failed to cooperate with the NCAA in its investigation of improper benefits given to Ohio State players - which led to the forced resignation of coach Jim Tressel - Pryor was told he was "completely disassociated" from the program where he starred for three seasons.
