SoCal
1/2/2011, 11:59 PM
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content...s.html?sid=101
Sunday, January 2, 2011 03:00 AM
By Jill Riepenhoff
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Three times in the past three years, Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor was stopped for traffic violations while driving cars that were owned by a car salesman or a Columbus used-car lot where the salesman worked, according to traffic citations obtained by The Dispatch.
Ohio State is aware of two of those infractions, and an investigation determined nothing improper had occurred, said Doug Archie, associate athletic director for compliance. He was unaware of an incident that occurred in October 2008 and said yesterday that he would investigate it.
In that incident, Pryor was ticketed for speeding in eastern Ohio's Guernsey County, driving a 2004 GMC Denali that belonged to car salesman Aaron Kniffin when he said he worked for the Jack Maxton dealership.
This past March, Pryor was stopped for speeding in Licking County with a 2009 Dodge that is registered to Auto Direct of Columbus, a used-car dealership on E. Dublin-Granville Road where Kniffin worked. A week later, Pryor was pulled over in Columbus for a different infraction, driving the same Dodge.
Ohio State knew about Pryor's use of the car while he had the engine in his own car replaced this past spring and was assured that every customer receives a loaner when extended repairs like that are necessary, Archie said.
Pryor told The Dispatch last night that he borrowed cars from the dealership only when his own was in for repairs and that he spoke with Kniffin only in those instances. As for the SUV he borrowed in 2008, Pryor said, "I wanted advice from some of my family and friends I trusted to see if it would be a good vehicle for me to maybe buy."
Test driving or borrowing a car is not in itself a violation of NCAA rules. However, use of a car because of an athlete's status could be considered an improper benefit.
Ohio State examined the relationship between its athletes and Auto Direct in July after receiving an anonymous letter saying that employees were trading use of cars for autographed memorabilia. Archie concluded that there were no NCAA violations.
Kniffin and Auto Direct owner Jason Goss said they have had no improper dealings with Pryor and work closely with Ohio State when athletes buy cars from them. Both said Pryor has never purchased a car from them.
"Everything we do is aboveboard," Goss said. "We're in compliance with the compliance department."
Kniffin said that while working at Maxton he allowed Pryor to drive his SUV to his hometown in Pennsylvania so that his mother could check it out. Pryor did not buy the vehicle. Kniffin also said he arranged for Pryor to use the 2009 Dodge while Pryor's car was being repaired.
"I personally do not do anything that's not aboveboard," Kniffin said. "Under no circumstances did somebody get something they didn't pay for."
About two dozen autographed jerseys hang inside Auto Direct's office, including those from Pryor, running back Daniel Herron and receiver DeVier Posey. A number of autographs have been scribbled on the walls.
Pryor said he doesn't remember the circumstances of him signing his jersey, but "I sign a lot of stuff for Buckeye fans - I don't like to turn down fans. But I don't do it to get any favors or discounts."
Ohio State requires athletes to report details about their cars at the beginning of every year, including the purchase price and co-signers. They also must report any purchases immediately.
Pryor currently drives a black Dodge Charger that he bought used from a lot in his hometown (Jeannette) in 2009, Archie said. Even before Pryor stepped on campus in 2008, he said the NCAA had examined the car he was driving at the time because he was a high-profile recruit.
Sunday, January 2, 2011 03:00 AM
By Jill Riepenhoff
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Three times in the past three years, Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor was stopped for traffic violations while driving cars that were owned by a car salesman or a Columbus used-car lot where the salesman worked, according to traffic citations obtained by The Dispatch.
Ohio State is aware of two of those infractions, and an investigation determined nothing improper had occurred, said Doug Archie, associate athletic director for compliance. He was unaware of an incident that occurred in October 2008 and said yesterday that he would investigate it.
In that incident, Pryor was ticketed for speeding in eastern Ohio's Guernsey County, driving a 2004 GMC Denali that belonged to car salesman Aaron Kniffin when he said he worked for the Jack Maxton dealership.
This past March, Pryor was stopped for speeding in Licking County with a 2009 Dodge that is registered to Auto Direct of Columbus, a used-car dealership on E. Dublin-Granville Road where Kniffin worked. A week later, Pryor was pulled over in Columbus for a different infraction, driving the same Dodge.
Ohio State knew about Pryor's use of the car while he had the engine in his own car replaced this past spring and was assured that every customer receives a loaner when extended repairs like that are necessary, Archie said.
Pryor told The Dispatch last night that he borrowed cars from the dealership only when his own was in for repairs and that he spoke with Kniffin only in those instances. As for the SUV he borrowed in 2008, Pryor said, "I wanted advice from some of my family and friends I trusted to see if it would be a good vehicle for me to maybe buy."
Test driving or borrowing a car is not in itself a violation of NCAA rules. However, use of a car because of an athlete's status could be considered an improper benefit.
Ohio State examined the relationship between its athletes and Auto Direct in July after receiving an anonymous letter saying that employees were trading use of cars for autographed memorabilia. Archie concluded that there were no NCAA violations.
Kniffin and Auto Direct owner Jason Goss said they have had no improper dealings with Pryor and work closely with Ohio State when athletes buy cars from them. Both said Pryor has never purchased a car from them.
"Everything we do is aboveboard," Goss said. "We're in compliance with the compliance department."
Kniffin said that while working at Maxton he allowed Pryor to drive his SUV to his hometown in Pennsylvania so that his mother could check it out. Pryor did not buy the vehicle. Kniffin also said he arranged for Pryor to use the 2009 Dodge while Pryor's car was being repaired.
"I personally do not do anything that's not aboveboard," Kniffin said. "Under no circumstances did somebody get something they didn't pay for."
About two dozen autographed jerseys hang inside Auto Direct's office, including those from Pryor, running back Daniel Herron and receiver DeVier Posey. A number of autographs have been scribbled on the walls.
Pryor said he doesn't remember the circumstances of him signing his jersey, but "I sign a lot of stuff for Buckeye fans - I don't like to turn down fans. But I don't do it to get any favors or discounts."
Ohio State requires athletes to report details about their cars at the beginning of every year, including the purchase price and co-signers. They also must report any purchases immediately.
Pryor currently drives a black Dodge Charger that he bought used from a lot in his hometown (Jeannette) in 2009, Archie said. Even before Pryor stepped on campus in 2008, he said the NCAA had examined the car he was driving at the time because he was a high-profile recruit.