Alabama State Accused of More Than 600 NCAA Violations

Between 1999 and 2003, Alabama State University's athletic department is believed to have allowed or participated in 670 NCAA violations, according to a recent report issued by the governing body of collegiate athletics. The NCAA Committee on Infractions will review the violations in early August, to determine what may become one of this stiffest sanctions handed down in NCAA Division I history.

Classified as a "lack of institutional control," the report list several former ASU athletic directors, compliance officers, and faculty representatives involved in numerous incidents in four sports, with football bearing the brunt of the violations. More than 500 infractions are believed to have stemmed from academically ineligible players appearing in games, practices and workouts. Administrative infractions point to compliance positions being held without appropriate training and certification, and a lack of institutional oversight within the department.

Other infractions regarding recruiting, improper grade changes, and other incidents are believed to surface once an internal investigation and resulting report are generated.

This is an unprecedented report in the way of institutional mismanagement, but it is not uncommon. Many institutions, historically black and otherwise, have great difficulty in overseeing recruitment standards, academic progress, and resource appropriation. There is no reasonable explanation to this magnitude of violations other than an entire department of misinformed administrators, or administrators with no regard for rules.

It could come in post-season sanctions, it could come in the form of rescinded scholarships, but Alabama State University will feel the results of this report, and will continue to feel them for many years to come.