Auburn’s ‘Big Cat Weekend’ draws penalties for football program violating NCAA rules

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Auburn’s ‘Big Cat Weekend’ draws penalties

AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn football recruiting has taken a hit because of secondary NCAA rules violations during its “Big Cat Weekend” last May.

Auburn was temporarily barred from contacting a half-dozen recruits who participated in the event. Assistant coach Trooper Taylor was banned from off-campus recruiting until the end of last month. Other coaches received reprimands.

Auburn released the penalties Thursday night in response to open-records requests from media outlets. Coach Gene Chizik said the football program is moving on.

The penalties stemmed from a recruiting event in May where recruits participated in the school tradition of toilet-papering Toomer’s Corner. Members of the media were on hand.

Auburn acknowledged the event violated some minor NCAA rules and imposed penalties on itself, but the Southeastern Conference added to the punishment.