TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama plans to appeal a ruling by the NCAA Committee on Infractions that forced the football program to vacate 21 wins.
University President Robert Witt, who announced the decision on Wednesday, said the penalties were excessive.
Alabama’s football program and 15 other sports were placed on three years probation after 201 athletes were found to have used their scholarships to get free textbooks for other students.
“We appreciate that the committee recognized the isolated nature of this violation as well as UA’s immediate and aggressive actions to correct the situation as soon as we discovered the problem,” Witt said in a statement. “However, we are disappointed with the excessiveness of the sanctions in view of the facts of this case and the penalties in other textbook infractions cases.
“There is no evidence or allegations of other NCAA violations; no coaches or administrators were involved; no players obtained books and sold them for cash, and all the books were returned or charged to the student’s account as required by the UA textbook policy in effect at that time.”
The football program sustained the biggest blow from the sanctions. The team had to vacate 21 wins from 2005, 2006 and 2007 involving any of seven players who were involved in the violations, including the 2006 Cotton Bowl victory over Texas Tech.
The university has until June 26 to file the appeal to the Infractions Appeals Committee. The NCAA cited Alabama for failure to monitor in imposing the penalties.
“The University of Alabama remains committed to doing things the right way, and we will continue to work with the NCAA and the SEC as we focus on strict compliance with all NCAA regulations,” Witt said.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 30
kabzs writes:
Tough burden of proof for Alabama: that the sanction was excessive and an abuse of discretion.
RJ_Vol writes:
“However, we are disappointed with the excessiveness of the sanctions in view of the facts of this case and the penalties in other textbook infractions cases."
Translation: "Yes, we know we cheated...but it wasn't as bad as last time. (Even though any other university outside of USC would have been hung out to dry). We won't do it again. (Fingers crossed behind back) We know other folks did it - and got away w/ it. We are experienced in cheating and we know this is not that serious."
Give 'em the boot.
txvolsfan writes:
EXCESSIVE???
In the words of Snoop Dogg
puff, puff and pass man!!!
4114 writes:
Once a cheater...Always a cheater..Better not kick that sleeping "bear". It could get worse. Then again go ahead and kick I would love to see the "bear" get slapped by the NCAA again. Go Vols!
chargervol writes:
In other words, they didn't think they were still on probation when these acts occurred. The university did have a handle on this program at the time. And, they are committed to doing things the right way, still. You have gotta be kidding me. They barely got a slap on the wrist, so yes, they will continue doing it the right way. lol!!!
GO VOLS!!!
vol98champ writes:
I wonder what they have done to the poor slob that started keeping records in 2005.
bosscat writes:
Moore was quoted as saying, "No competitive advantage was gained; all of the books were returned." If the books had been cars the athletes were getting, wouldn't that be the same as saying, "No competitive advantage was gained; all of the cars were returned"? And what about the recruiting aspect of free textbooks for athletes? 201 athletes were involved. How many knew about free textbooks before they committed to Bama? And what about the lack of any records prior to the known three year period of free books? How does anyone know when it actually started? Just some food for thought for the NCAA as they review the case. Of course, everyone knows that it really comes down to one basic fact of life: "Bama Bucks"!
tennezz writes:
Better leave it alone bammer, It could get worse!
belayvol writes:
With apologies to The Coasters, Bama's new theme song.
Bama Brown
Fe-fe, fi-fi, fo-fo, fum
I smell smoke in the auditorium
Bama Brown, Bama Brown
He's a clown, that Bama Brown
He's gonna get caught
Just you wait and see
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me)
That's him on his knees
I know that's him
Yeah, from 7 come 11
Down in the boys' gym
Bama Brown, Bama Brown
He's a clown, that Bama Brown
He's gonna get caught
Just you wait and see
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me)
Who's always writing on the wall
Who's always goofing in the hall
Who's always throwing spit balls
Guess who (who, me) yeah, you
Who walks in the classroom, cool and slow
Who calls the English teacher, Daddy-O
Bama Brown, Bama Brown
He's a clown, that Bama Brown
He's gonna get caught
Just you wait and see
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me)
Who walks in the classroom, cool and slow
Who calls the English teacher, Daddy-O
Bama Brown, Bama Brown
He's a clown, that Bama Brown
He's gonna get caught
Just you wait and see
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me)
BigOrangeJeff writes:
"Has nothing to do with anything that happened on the field."
Nice try, Bammer. So, by your logic, the following should not be violations, since they have nothing to do with what happens on the field:
- $100 hand shakes
- Free cars from boosters
- Grade fixing for athletes
- Summer "jobs" paying $1000/week for washing cars
- Basically, anything except 'roids or fielding a team of NFL players.
Oh, Bammer logic, you never let us down!!!
vols14 writes:
cheaters!
BigOrangeJeff writes:
IMHO, the main reason for the "heavy sanctions" is because this happened while they were on probation for he Albert Means fiasco.
Idiots...
By the way, why did Bear Bryant cross the road? He didn't cross the road, he's been DEAD FOR 26 YEARS!!!
beachvol1 writes:
They are making a stupid move....better leave it alone...accept it and go on....talking about egos....Mal Moore needs to go...NCAA can dig deeper...
Kiffin_fan writes:
Appeal and it will get worse..
DennisVols writes:
“I’m diggin up bones, I’m diggin up bones. Exhuming things that’s better left alone”
Randy Travis
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
In the words of Wyatt Earp: "You called down the thunder, well now you've got it!"
Reap the whirlwind Bama!
TommyJack writes:
Bama is right. Maybe the investigation SHOULD be re-opened.
stevefrommemphis writes:
Whiners. I can make a reasonable argument that Alabama should have received the DEATH PENALTY. I do wish the Alabamians at one particular bank down there had spent less time worrying about Crimson Tide football over the last 5 years and more time thinking about how prudent it was to make millions of dollars worth of uncollectible loans.
Alabama has now been put on probation (Probation # 3) for violations which occurred during a period of time when Alabama was on probation (Probation # 2) for committing violations which occurred during a period of time when Alabama was on probation (Probation #1). Two separate transgressions WHILE ON PROBATION FOR OFFENSES BEGINNING AS FAR BACK AS 1993.
THE ALABAMA FREEDOM CLOCK
http://spuat.wickens.ws/
The ALABAMA FREEDOM CLOCK has not yet been reset to account for the latest probation. This clock was in perpetual countdown from February 1, 2002 through January 31, 2007, the period of probation #2 (during which the textbook scandal occurred).
http://audrumline.tripod.com/bammerha...
Leftover material from probation #2. The drawing of Bear as Moses in the lower left corner is particularly funny.
February 1, 2002, when Probation #2 was announced, Thomas Yeager, chairman of the NCAA Infractions Committee, said:
"They were absolutely staring down the barrel of a gun. These violations are some of the worst, most serious that have ever occurred." If Alabama is found guilty of further violations during the probationary period, Yeager suggested the death penalty -- the elimination of a sports program -- could result. "God forbid, there's ever another appearance -- ever," Yeager said. "Should there be one -- particularly within the five-year period -- I don't know what's left."
My conclusion: ALABAMA SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED THE DEATH PENALTY.
Typical Alabama fan's conclusion: PHIL FULMER is responsible for ALL ALABAMA TRANSGRESSIONS.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
I can hear the judge now.
"Is the defense ready"?
"You may approach when you get your hand out of that bucket of KFC".
"Is that really a mullet with Bama bangs"?
stevefrommemphis writes:
Corrected link. See drawing of Bear as Moses in lower left.
http://audrumline.tripod.com/bammerha...
give_him_6 writes:
Bama will be judged by it's past as well as what's going on right now. Unfair?? Well, there have been so many misstpes in the past that the NCAA is looking for actions not words. And the actions so far are those of a program out of control. This isn't a large infraction by any means. But because of too many past transgressions they won't have a chance with an appeal. They would be fair better off just accepting the NCAAs punishment and move on. Everyone knows that the NCAA will be watching them 24/7 now. Slip up just a bit now and it'll get real messy real fast. JMO
rocky_topper writes:
They'd best be careful or they may have to vacate those 47 self-proclaimed national championships!
I honestly think they know they can't stay clean during this probationary period, and it has them worried. They know there is no way in hell they can play on an equal playing field with the rest of the SEC and win!
IndianOutlaw writes:
I am not a Bama fan at all. Double UT & 1 from Notre Dame so I have a lot of Football sorrows now. But the NCAA is a joke. College sports is big business, treat it like what it really is a training ground for professional sports at the D1 level. Do away with the NCAA or leave it to the lower divisions and let major college sports be what they really are training grounds for the pro's just like our engineering, business, education, law, medical schools, etc. are for their professions.
volboy81 writes:
I think Alabama was lucky they didnt get hit much harder. They ought to take their punishment like men, own up to it and move forward. Theyll just make the NCAA mad, so next time (and there WILL be a next time!) they'll REALLY get nailed with that yella hammer! The Bama Prez and AD need to GO! They obviously have NO control over anything down there!
gbeejr#1354500 writes:
Good piece. Is Mal Moore still their AD? If so, he's the real teflon man. He probably knows so much that bama is afraid of firing him in fear he'll "tell all".
Sammy_Burklow_IsAMoron writes:
Funny, I thought you said in earlier posts that it didn't matter?! It's kinda sad, but Bama being on probation is the norm anymore ...
spvol writes:
And just how did Forrest Gump ever graduate? Better look into that too.
Mr_Brownstone writes:
Alabama Probation Tide
TrouserCough writes:
cheaters
gmoneyvol writes:
Win at all costs = probation. The NCAA should set up an office in Tuscaloser to reduce their travel costs.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.