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‘Wrong number’ rings up recruiting violation for Richt

5:00 am January 19, 2011, by Tim Tucker

ATHENS –  Mark Richt returned a missed telephone call, thinking the number belonged to the mother of an East Hall High School football player Georgia is recruiting.

Instead, the number belonged to a younger football player at North Hall High School.

So what, you ask?

So the mistake constituted an NCAA secondary violation that resulted in Richt being banned from calling recruits for a week last September.

This glimpse into the minutiae — some would say silliness — of the NCAA rulebook was revealed in 40 pages of documents released Tuesday by UGA in response to an open-records request from the AJC.

The documents show that Georgia reported 14 secondary violations of NCAA rules in eight sports in the last six months of 2010.  (Secondary violations are defined as inadvertent rule-breaking that does not result in a significant competitive advantage. ) Richt’s phone call was typical of Georgia’s self-reported minor violations.

Here’s how it occurred, according to a Sept. 3 letter from UGA athletic director Greg McGarity to SEC commissioner Mike Slive:

… On Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010 . . .  Coach Richt was on a call with a another prospective student-athlete (PSA) when he missed a call from a senior PSA’s mother (Mr. Sterling Bailey from East Hall High School in Georgia). The mother’s cell phone had a 678 area code. While he was checking the voicemail left by Ms. Bailey, Coach Richt missed another call from a 678 area code. After he listened to Ms. Bailey’s message, Coach Richt hit the send button for what he thought was Ms. Bailey. When a male’s voice answered the phone, Coach Richt was surprised and asked if it was Sterling, thinking he was calling Ms. Bailey and [her son] answered; however, the person answering the phone told him he had the wrong number. When Coach asked who it was, the individual said it was C.J. Curry (a junior PSA from North Hall High School in Georgia). Once Coach Richt realized who it was, he ended the call and self-reported the violation to the Compliance Office.

The NCAA determined that a violation, indeed, occurred because Richt’s call to Curry was placed prior to Sept. 1 of Curry’s senior year of high school, “which is contrary to the provisions of Bylaws 13.1.3.1 and 13.1.3.1.2.” The SEC and NCAA accepted Georgia’s proposed penalties: Richt was not allowed to call any recruits for a period of one week, and Georgia was banned from sending any general correspondence to Curry for 30 days and staff members will be banned from contacting him for the first 30 days after he otherwise could be contacted.

Both Bailey and Curry have verbally committed to Georgia, Bailey for the 2011 signing class and Curry for 2012.

Other secondary violations revealed in the documents released Tuesday include:

  • Assistant football coach Warren Belin sent a text message from his cell phone to a recruit when he intended to send an e-mail. (E-mails are permitted; texts are not.)
  • Assistant track and field coach Don Babbitt wrote on the Facebook wall of a recruit, seeking contact information. Babbitt said he thought he was using the e-mail feature rather than posting to the wall.
  • Head swimming coach Jack Bauerle and assistant swimming coach Jerry Champer made two separate phone calls to the same recruit on the same night after she called about her scholarship paperwork.
  • A volleyball staff member sent recruiting materials by priority mail, rather than regular mail.
  • A member of the equestrian team appeared in a congratulatory ad in a national equestrian magazine.

– Tim Tucker, UGA blog

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213 comments Add your comment

WDE

January 19th, 2011
9:38 am

You clowns are hilarious… you think Mark Richt is the only person who self-reports these things? All coaches are more than willing to self-report these things because it advertises that they respect the rules and are gentlemen… I commend him for reporting them, but if you think other coaches around the league don’t also report these self-incriminating things just because you didn’t see it in this article, you are lost.

Simple Jack

January 19th, 2011
9:39 am

How much did Ms. Sterling want for her son to come to UGA?

gbal

January 19th, 2011
9:44 am

Chill out folks – Tim got what he needed today… a headline (though a non issue) that generated some blog hits.

The rules are a joke but the NCAA is not out there trying to dig up missed dialed phone calls. UGA self reported these violations!!! And they should, given that these crazy rules exist! There is no real punishment here that puts UGA at a disadvantage in recruiting these kids. If the rules have to exist I think it is in the coaches best interest to report these minor violations knowing there is no real consequence. Better than having the NCAA stumble on the info and find out it had not been reported. Penelty would be more severe.

The biggest disgrace here is that ..

1- These nit pic rules exist
2- Someone had to take the time to write the NCAA report and meet to discuss self impposed punishment. What a waste of time.
3- Tim takes the time to request open records and write a story with a somewhat misleading headline. Its a slow time in NCAA football right now but geesee… find some real material and dont bash the home team with negative misleading headlines. The AJC hurts the UGA program more than any other school in the confrence with their constant negative coverage.

Got an idea Tim, Bradley, Shultz…. Focus some press time and investigation on violations at other schools and print them in your paper….Might actually help out home team with image and recruits for a change. Try it!!

Moron Dawg Fan

January 19th, 2011
9:44 am

I keep meening to get a sell phone for my 1980 trans am

Recruit Talk

January 19th, 2011
9:56 am

Richt’s on thin ice with the ncaa already–he better watch his step or he’ll be suspended for a few games.

Do some real reporting!

January 19th, 2011
10:03 am

These type articles actually do hurt recruiting. UGA is locked in a real battle with Auburn for some of the elite recruits in this state. Everybody knows that Auburn should be in trouble for the Newton, McGregor, Lowder crap. So what does the AJC do to help the Auburn recruiters out? Put out a silly story about some secondary viloations that don’t amount to a hill of beans. But the Auburn recruiters get what they need to go running to these kids and parents and say, “See UGA has recruiting violations, too!” Mission accomplished. UGA and Richt get embarrassed, UGA doesn’t get recruits they need to turn the program around, Richt gets fired. Maybe when the vendetta against Richt has been settled the AJC writers will stop biting the hand that feeds them.

schmeckdawg

January 19th, 2011
10:08 am

The NC$$holes are a freaking joke!

MikeP

January 19th, 2011
10:14 am

Auburn pays more…….
January 19th, 2011
8:24 am
“I have read in more than one publication about Newton’s reply that he chose Auburn because it paid more. How could the NCAA overlook this response and honestly believe Newton knew nothing about his dad shopping him around, electing to walk away from $180,000 at Mississippi State, and signing to play at Auburn instead? Because it paid more…..in Cam’s own words.”

No, you haven’t read that. What you read was a tale by a writer that claimed to have a single, anonymous source that heard that. When the investigators showed up the alleged source denied ever saying anything like that. You got duped by some low class writer trying to increase hits on his website.

These “secondary violations”, every school has them, every school reports them. 10 to 15 a year is about normal and most major newspapers report them for schools in their state..

Selective journalism ...

January 19th, 2011
10:16 am

Tim, why don’t you report on secondary violations by Auburn, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Florida, Tennessee, L.S.U., Florida State, Miami, Clemson and other schools? What about oversigning, especially at Alabama. How about playing stupid about father’s shopping their kids for a couple of hundred grand? Instead, you make Coach Richt looking like a big-time violater when I suspect he’s the most honest head cooach in the S.E.C. Others probably would not have reported their violations as he did? Equalize the playing field here, please.

Jason

January 19th, 2011
10:20 am

I hate everything about college athletics now… officiating (last night was a joke) to this kind of bullsh!t to the NCAA and the media and the big bowls perpetuating what amounts to a circle jerk enterprise of biblical public indecency proportions. i wish the whole system would come crashing down.

RAID

January 19th, 2011
10:26 am

I thought the Ford F-150 that CMR drives has the hands free device to avoid such mistakes…….LOL….anyways, this is a whole lot about nothing……..go dawgs

schmeckdawg

January 19th, 2011
10:27 am

@Jason 10:20 am

I am with you 100%!!!!! Nice job!!!!!!!

DawginLex

January 19th, 2011
10:31 am

We might as well start using the recruiting philosophy of some of our opponents;

1.) Free tattoos for each recruit and a phone number to call to have your picture taken so you can sell the photo. $$
2.) Have your father/aunt/uncle/mother shop you around for $180,000 to the highest bidder and get them in trouble. Then sign with UGA.
3.) Sell all of your stuff related to football to agents, fans etc. We will make you sit out against Coastal Carolina, Vandy and New Mexico State but you can play in all the other games.
4.) Get verbal commitments from 50 players and kick off the team those that are currently there who aren’t worth a crap.

That should get us right in the BCS title picture.

Bodda Getta

January 19th, 2011
10:34 am

Thank you Tim.

It is important for these self-righteous Georgia fans to see just how dirty their program is.

You can add this to the long list of recruiting violations, personal fouls, unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, late hits, use of ineligible players (AJ Green’s amateur status was a joke), head coaches starting fights, goon plays, chop blocks, choke signs, player arrests, suspensions, and athletic director arrests and you clearly have a Lack Of Institutional Control.

It is time for the SEC and NCAA to step in and punish them severely – scholarship reductions, forfeiture of games, loss of recruiting access, loss of post season participation, and removal of TV exposure and revenue-sharing privileges.

It is time to save the integrity of the game.

just sayin

January 19th, 2011
10:38 am

Dial the wrong number, no contact for a week. Sell your jersey on ebay, miss 4 games. Daddy gets $200K for shopping you around, daddy can’t come to the game.

Only corrupt fools would call this oversight. Hence the NCAA is run by completely corrupted ciminals.

DawginLex

January 19th, 2011
10:42 am

bodda getta,

Has your boyfriend told you how dirty your breath is?
Have you checked the air in your blow up doll date for tonight?

I can smell it from here. Your upper lip.

Go somewhere else and bash away with your inane drivel.

bjohndawg

January 19th, 2011
10:49 am

In my business I send the wrong email, or text or dial wrong number about once a week.
If I were a coach, I would by NCAA rules never be allowed to call or text or email a PSA.

good job CMR. Now lets not wallow in this recruiting violation( if you must call it that) and work hard to right the ship called UGA football.

Pope UGA XXIII

January 19th, 2011
10:59 am

B – F – D

Coach Grohbo

January 19th, 2011
11:02 am

I’m also hearing rumors that the UGA equestrian horses are selling their poop for fertilizer.

It’s time for the SEC and NCAA to step in with some suspensions before this gets out of hand.

SKB

January 19th, 2011
11:10 am

Is it against NCAA rules for breathing?

Gainesville Dawg

January 19th, 2011
11:11 am

This is the only blog that I can find from UGA to comment, Tim.
I was at the basketball game last night. UGA encountered the poorest officiating that I and many other fans have seen. Even ESPNU said that the call at the end of the game was wrong. they commented that UGA got robbed but it still counted on the books.
What is with SEC officials and UGA? UGA’s players were battered all night by Tenn.and no calls.
UGA seems to get in foul trouble the first quarter with the officials. It is becoming a pattern.
I was soooo impressed with the fans last night. a sell-out go Dawgs!!!

Joe Dirt`

January 19th, 2011
11:11 am

I can’t believe Mark Richt is such an idiot. He’s gotta be the dumbest yahoo coaching anywhere this side of the Mississippi . Assuming the number was Ms. Bailey. You know what they say about people who assUme. Mark Richt is good at that. He’s been doing it to UGA for going on 3 years now. Time to move on this D A and find a football coach and not a good will ambassator.

Einsteindawg

January 19th, 2011
11:12 am

Thanks Tim…when are the big schools going to tell the NCAA to GFY, and let the BCS manage their sports affairs? The only consistency about the NCAA is their inconsistency. What a waste of money.

Carlton

January 19th, 2011
11:21 am

@just sayin

I completely agree with you-but you forgot that Cecil Newton actually WAS at the National Championship game, haha!

College football has become b.s. In between self-reported secondary violations, the lack of clarity on suspensions given for differing violations, the pompous arrogance I’ve seen every year in recruiting with these high schoolers. Did you know that now, the #1 overall recruit Jadeavon Clowney will now sign when he wants to sign? Nearly 2 WEEKS after National Signing day. The sham that is the BCS, the ability of

Carlton

January 19th, 2011
11:22 am

sorry, computer messed up. I’m done with the post though-I think I made my point..

Trojan

January 19th, 2011
11:24 am

Why was this outdated article written? This is recruiting season, no one at the AJC could find any relevant story to write? It is almost like there was a motive involved.

Captain

January 19th, 2011
11:35 am

I read quite often about AJC Open Records request seeking information from The University of Georgia Athletic Association. Information such as contained in this story.

However, what I don’t recall seeing are those same Open Records requests being sent to nor information published as regards the Georgia Tech Athletic Association.

Would the AJC please advise us of their Open Records requests from the GTAA? We will look forward to a full report, along with watching pigs fly across the Atlanta skyline.

girldawg

January 19th, 2011
11:35 am

Auburn gets away with pay for play players, late dangerous hits, unncessary roughness on a weekly basis by the SEC and NCAA and they are worried about this???? Have some guts take care of the true violations or go home. Sounds like a bunch of girlie men running the show.

Delbert D.

January 19th, 2011
11:36 am

McGarity needs to take the operation of equipment in today’s complex cellular/internet cloud/social networking off Coach Richt’s plate. That should greatly help him in his study of why footballs go farther when they spiral.
.
.

Just kidding.

TigersNow: Wrong number rings up violation for UGA – Michael Burns on Recruiting

January 19th, 2011
11:46 am

[...] led Georgia coach Mark Richt to be barred from making recruiting calls for a week last September, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Richt thought he missed a call from the mother of an East Hall High recruit, but the number [...]

TheItalianDawg

January 19th, 2011
11:50 am

Tim, why dont you write something about the officiating crew of last night game between Georgia and Tennessee, they did terrible job

Bank Walker, Texas Ranger

January 19th, 2011
11:58 am

I knew that Sync System on that new Ford Truck was going to get him in touble. Honey say Go Dogs…..”Go Dogs”

Whisky Breath

January 19th, 2011
12:00 pm

Now that is some significant news to talk about! This has to be brought out.

Bank Walker, Texas Ranger

January 19th, 2011
12:00 pm

I think the football operations should be taken over by the AD so CMR can concentrate on how to operate a cell phone

Coach Grohbo

January 19th, 2011
12:02 pm

Oh the sound of whining UGA fans again is music to my ears.

Listen to your coach.

He knows more physical contact is allowed at the end of the game and fouls are almost never called.

UGA got outhustled last night, especially during crunch time.

Tennessee outfought you for the rebound and earned a solid road victory.

Deal with it.

dawgfan

January 19th, 2011
12:07 pm

“A volleyball staff member sent recruiting materials by priority mail, rather than regular mail.”

This one literally made me LMAO.

gbal

January 19th, 2011
12:07 pm

Good tatic there AJC — Post another headline on the exact same nothing topic….. The exact same article in fact….. to get a few more blog hits.

I really think it would be e great benefit for UGA to boycott the AJC wherever they can possible do it to avoid this type of negative media treatment.

secbama

January 19th, 2011
12:10 pm

Big deal. Everybody knows Mark Richt is not a cheater. He is a class act. I wish him the best except for when he plays Bama. UGA is my favorite team in East.

You guys take Ray Drew and Jay Rome.

Let Bama have Malcolm Mitchell and Isaiah Crowell.

gbal

January 19th, 2011
12:11 pm

And TIM TIM TIM —- Answer this – Why post this now, 4 months after the incident??? In the middle of recruiting season??? Auburn send you a payoff??

TTOUGH44

January 19th, 2011
12:14 pm

NCAA has lost any and ALL respect from me due to this past years double standards and no backbone to enforce the rules across the board the same for all.
NCAA has no merritt in my opinion. I truely believe, the colleges need to just dump the ncaa and form a new governing body that watches over the collegiate sports that means buisness! Whether the conducting the buisness means not allowing the star player to participate in a bowl game, or selling a jersey, or daddy shoping kid around to the highest bidder, or actually getting on a plane flying to a party with strippers,(you only are suspended 2 games for that! Because that had to be fun..! give ma abreak! NCAA no more! Lets come up with a new governing body as I said USCAA, united states collegiate athletic asso. revamp the rules and regs. and enforce them!

Delbert D.

January 19th, 2011
12:15 pm

“recruiting materials by priority mail, rather than regular mail”

I guess Pony Express or Western Union telegrams are out.

Atl_Dawg

January 19th, 2011
12:16 pm

Wow, this is news? No one cares. I’m sure this kind of stuff happens all the time… c’mon Thursday..

Dawghater

January 19th, 2011
12:22 pm

Wow, I’m just impressed UGA coaches even know how to text, use facebook or use a cell phone. What an article!

Andy in Blairsville

January 19th, 2011
12:25 pm

Wow. These coaches are as stupid off the field as they are on the field. If they don’t know the difference between a text and an email, how could they begin to keep their kids out of jail? Wait a minute…

Spivedog

January 19th, 2011
12:33 pm

Great job sensationalizing Tim!

al.com

January 19th, 2011
12:34 pm

There are a lot of GA. fans that wish they could have Auburns success.What is that called ?

how2fish

January 19th, 2011
12:39 pm

al.com this UGA fan calls it one and done…

dawgs

January 19th, 2011
12:40 pm

I heard CMR called a recruit and another player at his house answered the phone and this is a violation.. Doesn’t the NCAA have anything of importance to do like maybe cleaning their own house ??? Maybe CMR should have to stay in his office with no supper tonight…

Dr. Phil

January 19th, 2011
12:41 pm

Richt is self-reporting improper phone calls and winking at player arrests.

UGA89

January 19th, 2011
12:46 pm

Oh! i see… if the athlete claims “he didn’t know…” then no penalty.
If a coach who most likely takes phone calls from thousands of people, doesn’t know and returns a phone call THEN PUNISH HIM TO THE FULL EXTENT!…

NCAA = HYPOCRITES!

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