TUSCALOOSA, Ala.—Key University of Alabama representatives met last month with the NCAA Committee on Infractions to answer two allegations of potential major violations stemming from the University's 2007 textbook investigation.
The NCAA released documents accusing the University of Alabama of "failure to adequately monitor its student-athlete textbook distribution system." The university ultimately admitted to the accusations.
School officials launched an internal investigation into impermissible receipt of textbooks soon after Oct. 17, 2007, when an employee at the University bookstore noticed "questionable textbook charges in excess of $1,600 for the fall 2007 semester," The NCAA was notified Oct. 19, after the UA compliance office uncovered "charges in excess of $1,300 and $1,500 for fall 2007."
Five football players, including three starters, were declared ineligible the night before the Oct. 20 home football game against the University of Tennessee.
Officials with the University have stated that a final resolution from the NCAA is expected by May, and the Committee on Infractions could apply sanctions upon individual sport programs, including the Crimson Tide football team.
However, one benefit to the University's athletics program is UA self-reported the findings of its internal investigation to the NCCA. Also, no Crimson Tide coaches or officials were involved, according to their report presented to the NCAA.
The NCAA has notified UA that the school could be subject to penalties that include loss of scholarships and restrictions of all forms of recruiting visits. The NCAA also acknowledged that UA could be subject to penalties as a "repeat violator," stemming from sanctions of the football program in 2002.
Those penalties may include the football program being shut down for two seasons if the violations were found to warrant such action.
The Alabama football program and others within the SEC have had fairly recent run-ins with the NCAA sanctions committee, proving that the NCAA has curiously turned a watchful eye on the country's best college sports conference.
Ultimately, universities, administrator, coaches, and fans can blame who they want for getting into trouble. But the simple fact is, as long as you don't break the rules, your program won’t be subject to penalties handed down by the God of college sports, the NCAA.
Good luck Alabama; you may need it. With any luck, though, you may be able to slip your way out of this minor violation like the USC Trojans have with the Reggie Bush “Pay for Play” scandal. Mr. NCAA, how is that investigation going? Hmm!
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala.—Key University of Alabama representatives met last month with the NCAA Committee on Infractions to answer two allegations of potential major violations stemming from the University's 2007 textbook investigation.
The NCAA released documents accusing the University of Alabama of "failure to adequately monitor its student-athlete textbook distribution system." The university ultimately admitted to the accusations.
School officials launched an internal investigation into impermissible receipt of textbooks soon after Oct. 17, 2007, when an employee at the University bookstore noticed "questionable textbook charges in excess of $1,600 for the fall 2007 semester," The NCAA was notified Oct. 19, after the UA compliance office uncovered "charges in excess of $1,300 and $1,500 for fall 2007."
Five football players, including three starters, were declared ineligible the night before the Oct. 20 home football game against the University of Tennessee.
Officials with the University have stated that a final resolution from the NCAA is expected by May, and the Committee on Infractions could apply sanctions upon individual sport programs, including the Crimson Tide football team.
However, one benefit to the University's athletics program is UA self-reported the findings of its internal investigation to the NCCA. Also, no Crimson Tide coaches or officials were involved, according to their report presented to the NCAA.
The NCAA has notified UA that the school could be subject to penalties that include loss of scholarships and restrictions of all forms of recruiting visits. The NCAA also acknowledged that UA could be subject to penalties as a "repeat violator," stemming from sanctions of the football program in 2002.
Those penalties may include the football program being shut down for two seasons if the violations were found to warrant such action.
The Alabama football program and others within the SEC have had fairly recent run-ins with the NCAA sanctions committee, proving that the NCAA has curiously turned a watchful eye on the country's best college sports conference.
Ultimately, universities, administrator, coaches, and fans can blame who they want for getting into trouble. But the simple fact is, as long as you don't break the rules, your program won’t be subject to penalties handed down by the God of college sports, the NCAA.
Good luck Alabama; you may need it. With any luck, though, you may be able to slip your way out of this minor violation like the USC Trojans have with the Reggie Bush “Pay for Play” scandal. Mr. NCAA, how is that investigation going? Hmm!
Related posts
Auburn, AL - With OSU running backs coach Curtis Luper joining the staff, reports are swirling that co-offensive coordinator Trooper Taylor will be following Luper to the plains. It is unclear what position Taylor would be coaching, however, Trooper currently coaches wide receivers.
In early 2008 Taylor joined the Oklahoma State staff as co-offensive coordinator. Taylor served as assistant head coach/player development/wide receivers coach at the University of Tennessee, where he has been on staff since 2004.
Nationally-known as a successful and relentless recruiter, Taylor was recognized by Rivals.com as a top-25 recruiter in 2005 and 2007.
Coaching Year By Year
| Years | School | Position |
| 2008-present | Oklahoma State | Co-Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers |
| 2004-07 | Tennessee | Assistant Head Coach/Player Development/Wide Receivers |
| 2004-05 | Tennessee | Running Backs |
| 1999-2003 | Tulane | Wide Receivers |
| 1998 | New Mexico | Running Backs |
| 1997 | Baylor | Wide Receivers |
| 1995-96 | Baylor | Secondary |
| 1994 | Baylor | Wide Receivers |
| 1992-93 | Baylor | Graduate Assistant |
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Last year was probably the strangest college football season ever; though this could be the most exciting, especially if you are an SEC fan. As many as five teams could have a legitimate shot at the National Championship. Florida, Georgia, Auburn or Tennessee, possibly LSU as a dark horse, could be crowned National champion.
Let’s take a look at how the SEC western division may end up in 2008.
We begin with sixth place working our way down to number one and the divisional champion with the right to challenge for the SEC title against the Eastern division champion.
- *Surprising loss that possibly could happen, but may not.
- Each team’s record represents an overall season of wins and loses that do not include bowl game or the SEC title game.
- Next week I will predict the Eastern Division ranking and Champion, as well as the conclusion of the SEC title game.
________________________________________________________________________
6th Ole Miss: Even though Houston Nutt takes over the head coaching duties for the Rebels he’s not going to be a difference maker this year. A decent recruiting class and some play makers here and there won’t be enough. However; Houston has proven to be quite capable of coaching up less talent and he’ll win some games the Johnny Rebs shouldn’t. “ARE – YOU - READY?”
Projected Record: 5-7
Bowl: None
Biggest Conference Win: South Carolina
Surprising Loss: Vanderbilt
5th Arkansas: Not even new head coach of the Razor Backs Bobby Petrino can turn the ship around this quickly. With the loss of Heisman runner-up Darren McFannin among other notables to the NFL or graduation, the pantry of talent is seemingly bare for now. That won’t stop the Hogs from rutting up its opponents to some degree. This coming season with road games against Auburn, Kentucky, Miss. State, and home games against Alabama, Florida and LSU (Little Rock), it’s a tall task to ask for an SEC crown much less a divisional championship. Better hope for a .500 season.
Projected Record: 6-6
Bowl: Independence
Biggest Conference Win: Miss. State
*Surprising Loss:
4th Mississippi State: Sylvester Croome and the Dawgs of the Magnolia State produced a surprising season in 2007. Expectations are high with wins over Alabama and Auburn and a Liberty Bowl victory over Central Florida which culminated into a solid year for State in 2007. The 2008 season will prove to be tougher for the Dawgs as they have Auburn and Arkansas at home and must travel to LSU, Tennessee, Alabama and Ole Miss for the annual Egg Bowl. That won’t add up to a trip to Hot-lanta this year, just way too tough and not enough talent to compete each week with the top teams. The Sly Dawgs will steal some wins here and there to keep it interesting.
Projected Record: 8 - 4
Bowl: Music City
Biggest Conference Win: Auburn
*Surprising Loss: La Tech
3rd LSU: The defending National Champions have too many losses in personnel to write about. However, the biggest loss is that of projected starting QB Ryan Perrilloux, who was dismissed from the team earlier this year. That leaves a huge hole at the starting the QB position. Not a good way to begin the defense of your National Title. The Bayou Bangles open the season with three straight cupcakes before traveling to Auburn for the usual “anything can happen” showdown. Other away games include Florida, South Carolina, and Arkansas. With home games involving Miss. State, Georgia, Alabama, and then concluding the home stretch with Ole Miss. After this season LSU head coach Les Miles will wish he had taken the job at Michigan.
Projected Record: 8-4
Bowl: Outback
Biggest Conference Win: Alabama
*Surprising Loss: Troy
2nd Alabama: I know this prediction is a shocker for some. I can’t believe I’m making it but hey the stars fell on Alabama once it could happen again, “Hence the state slogan”. The Crimson Tide will look to build big on last year’s minor successes and near misses. The Tide, under first year head coach Nick Saban, proved to be a worthy opponent for most in the SEC during the ’07 campaign. Make no mistake oh-bama will have a few things to say about who gets to compete for it all concerning the SEC this time around. With an opening game against Clemson in Atlanta and a home game against Auburn, which never has lost in Bryant – Tuberville Stadium, and road games against Georgia, and LSU, the one thing the Tide nation won’t be able to do is, celebrate another division crown. Not this year anyway…
Projected Record: 9-3
Bowl: Cotton
Biggest Conference Win: Tennessee
*Surprising Loss: Kentucky
1St Auburn: The 2008 version of the Tigers are ready to unload their Tony Franklin version of the spread offense. With practically all their toughest games (LSU, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Georgia) at home, the schedule would seem to be more conducive for wins. The defense should actually be better than last year’s unit that was very solid most of the season, but did give up some big plays with the game on the line. Not since the Chick-fil-A bowl win against Clemson have the players been able to prove their prowess against anyone other than fellow team mates. The two quarterback system with returning star Kodi Burns and newcomer Chris Todd makes for an interesting one – two punch with RB’s Ben Tate, Mario Fannin and Brad Lester ready to be a no surprise upper cut needed to make a serious run at the SEC crown and a spot in the national title game.
Projected Record: 11-1
Bowl: Orange Bowl
Biggest Conference Win: Georgia
*Surprising Loss: at Miss. State
