Manaia Brown Tampering

(reuters) may 20, 2002

At the urging of Nebraska coach Frank Solich, the NCAA will open a formal investigation into the recruitment of freshman defewnsive lineman Mania Brown by Brigham Young University.

The probe will focus on illegal recruitment alleged to have taken place following the talented lineman's freshman season. Sources close to the Nebraska program claim they have hard evidence that Brown was contancted and recruited in clear violation of NCAA regulations.

"They were all over him" says the source. "No way Mania leaves this program without some kind of inducement or persuasion. He's a good kid who let these Dannite guys get into his head."

BYU coach Gary Crowton denies all allegations. "We had a breakout year," says Crowton, "and we turned heads all over the country. Did you see how we rolled through our season? we were practically National Champs."

As head coach of BYU's footbal program Crowton is a high ranking ecclesiastical authority, and he eschews ordinary morality. "...we hold ourselves to, well, a different standard here" says Crowton.

"Besides" adds Crowton, "all contact on our behalf came in the form of angelic visitations" which Crowton asserts do not fall under the aegis of the NCAA governing body.

Coach Ron Macbride of the University of Utah made a late push for Brown's services but was rebuffed. He has told investigators that Brown told him he "had to" attend BYU because of threats of "perdition, and increased tithing percentages on any money made in the NFL".

The NCAA has named James Mcmahon, a Utah native, to lead the investigation team.

'but it was so much easier
when i was cruel.'

elvis costello