Please follow me in writing to Mark and Scott.

Dr. Keenum,

As an alumnus of Mississippi State the recent punishment handed down by the NCAA to Texas A&M and Johnny Manziel disturbs and infuriates me. Before I go further, this is not a personal attack in our compliance department, or any individuals employed there. That being said, all appearances from the outside seems we are too cooperative, strict, and compliant with our dealings with the NCAA.

In the Texas A&M case, Johnny Manziel was caught, on video, signing items for a dealer to sell for profit in violation of an NCAA rule. For this Texas A&M?s compliance department negotiated a two quarter suspension in a time period of 2 months from the initial public report. The reported estimated monetary value of the rule violation by Johnny Manziel is over $10,000.

Contrast that with the Mississippi State handing of the Will Redmond case. With a similar start of the case in public and not public video evidence, the Mississippi State compliance department negotiated a 36 quarter suspension of the player in a time period of about a year from the initial public report. The reported estimated monetary benefit to Will Redmond was $2,000.

As an MSU fan and alumni, we have been punished eighteen times more for a violation of five times less. This seems to be a fundamental flaw in our dealings with the NCAA. By no means am I suggesting or condoning cheating, rule violations, or any other events that may cause our athletics department violations. I just believe we have to be less cooperative and protect the eligibility and integrity of our Student Athletes.

Thanks you and Hail State!

Sincerely,

Shelton Choked