UGA reports violation in Crowell recruitment, bars Richt from calling recruits next month
Georgia broke an NCAA rule in the recruitment of prized tailback Isaiah Crowell and will respond by barring coach Mark Richt from phoning recruits next month, according to a letter from UGA athletic director Greg McGarity to the NCAA.
An attempt by Richt in January to demonstrate the Bulldogs’ need for Crowell by having him stand in as the missing tailback in an offensive formation with current players resulted in a secondary violation of the rule against “game day simulation” with recruits, McGarity wrote.
Crowell signed with Georgia last month, and the school’s self-reported violation had the temporary effect of making him ineligible. But the NCAA staff, acting on a request in McGarity’s March 4 letter, already has reinstated Crowell’s eligibility, according to an e-mail from the NCAA to UGA on Friday.
McGarity told the NCAA that Richt did not believe the January scenario constituted a “game day simulation.” However, McGarity wrote that “as a result of the violation,” Richt will receive a letter of admonishment and will be prohibited from telephoning recruits and their parents during the NCAA’s “spring evaluation period” in April.
The NCAA could accept those penalties or could impose additional ones. In most cases, if the NCAA agrees the violation is secondary, meaning inadvertent and resulting in no significant advantage, self-imposed penalties are accepted.
McGarity said Monday that he “will have no comment other than what’s in the letter,” a copy of which was obtained under the state’s Open Records Act. Richt was not available for comment, spokesman Claude Felton said. Crowell did not return messages.
McGarity described the incident in detail in his 1 ½-page letter:
“[Crowell] was on campus for his official visit January 21-23, 2011. . . . [Richt] and the football staff arranged for the offensive linemen, wide receivers, fullback and quarterback to gather . . . in the indoor practice facility that [Richt's] office overlooks. The [players] . . . were dressed in their game-day uniform tops.
“Coach Richt, [Crowell] and [Crowell's] family left his office to join the group. By the time [Crowell] made his way to the field, the team was in an offensive alignment without a running back. [Crowell] was subsequently handed a jersey and stood in the vacant running back position . . . After [Crowell] stood in the position, the student-athletes broke from the alignment and talked to him. The activity lasted less than five minutes.”
Richt’s idea “was to create a feeling for [Crowell] that he was needed,” McGarity wrote, adding that Richt didn’t think having a recruit stand in a formation without running a play constituted a violation. However, Richt “did not check with the compliance office beforehand.”
The SEC subsequently informed Georgia that the NCAA rule against game-day simulation is “all-encompassing and includes the activity [Crowell] participated in,” McGarity wrote. Also, it is against the rule for a recruit to try on or wear a game-day jersey outside of the locker room.
Georgia “does not believe a recruiting advantage was gained as [Crowell's] mother has stated that her son knew he was going to attend UGA since he was a young child,” according to McGarity’s letter.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
755 comments Add your comment
showmedog
March 15th, 2011
8:40 pm
Richt must be fired now! He is an embarrasment to UGA. More importantly, he is the worst game day coach ever.
War Eagle
March 15th, 2011
8:45 pm
All these unjustified rules by NCAA is UGA injustice only, what about rule DAWG FANS BASHED Cam Newton?There was NO RULES broken with Cam JUST SPECULATION FROM A FORMER DEBT RIDDEN PLAYER, WHO WAS BEING CHASE BY NFL, BANKS AND CAR DEALER, PLUS PUTTING WORDS IN HIS CECIL NEWTON`S HEAD… ALSO JODY WRIGHT IS A LIAR, ASST.COACH AT BAMA WHO WAS TOLD BY KENNY RODERS TO START THE RUMOR.IT WAS ALL ABOUT MONEY, BAMA, KENNY ROGERS AND LAWYERS.
BAMA COULD NOT HANDLE AUBURN NC, HEISMAN TROPHY, MAXWELL AWARDS, ALL AMERICANS, BEST OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE PLAYERS IN THE COUNTRY, THEY NEVER HAD THAT MUCH SUCCESS IN ONE YEAR, EVEN WITH THE BEAR…
UGA fans are retarded
March 15th, 2011
8:59 pm
War Eagle
UGA fans are retarded.
Candela Ross
March 15th, 2011
9:17 pm
The biggest change that CMR needs to make is to stop recruiting the low-class illiterates and thugs who he seems to think will win for him and keep his oversized paychecks coming in. People like Marcus Dowtin, A.J. Green, Washaun Ealey, Caleb King, and others too numerous to mention are not team players, they’re thug wannabes who are much closer to a gang than a team.
It’s sickening to see felons and goons like these representing the state’s flagship university.
Copy and Paste
March 15th, 2011
9:23 pm
If you all can keep repeating your negative remarks for six more pages, Tim Tucker will become the leader in the blog race for 2011, so far. Since the dumb comments have been repeated, so many times on this blog, I am sure you can just copy and paste your old ones from page 1 on, and he will reach his lead quicker. I would bet the Journalist monitor their columns and most bust a gut, with all the crap that is written on here by the fans (?) of other schools. Does Tim have a twitter page you can go on and continue to spout your lame comments.
Now make sure you copy and paste this also so, you can show how original you negative folks are. You don’t even have the sense to know when you are being used as pawns, by the AJC and the sports Journalist they employ.
GOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSS
Okay, I copied and pasted it. What now?
Crimson Crush
March 15th, 2011
9:23 pm
IF UGA fans are “retarded” Barn fans are surely in the negative IQ realm .
While I find the never ending stream of secondary violations out of Athens amusing … they don’t even flicker a candle compared to what is barreling down the pike for AsterikU .
Any Barner with a brain would be embarrassed to keep spewing the silly “the investigations are over … we won … ” party line . With raw numbers alone saying that at least ONE Barner realizes what is coming and knows better I assume that isolated soul is simply praying for the 2012 prophecies to be true .
At least then they can huddle around the burning barrel and pretend with the rest of their inbred clan that AU actually once won an appearance in a real NC game instead of just buying it
sports
March 15th, 2011
10:44 pm
so what “techie” tucker, go crawl back under your rock
MikeP
March 15th, 2011
10:50 pm
Wow, I’m an Auburn fan with LOTS of time on my hands. But “UGA Fans Are Retarted” has even more time on his hands. Get a job dude!
All In(volved)
March 15th, 2011
10:54 pm
We bash(ed) Cam Newton because he was paid to come to *AU for a semester and play. Not because of some mamby-pamby NCAA rules against making formations (which we self-reported). If the NCAA snooped around *AU to see what all goes on, they’d think that UGA was a school full of choir boys.
Dawgs Win East!
March 15th, 2011
10:59 pm
Mark this down—this dawg team is loaded on both sides of the ball. Florida’s way down and tennessee has nothing. UGA will beat south carolina and florida like a rented mule and take over the SEC east race early. Ga plays Bama for the SEC title in Atlanta. The Dawgs are back!
All Vol
March 16th, 2011
12:58 am
These secondary violations for the most part are crazy. Seems you can’t do anything anymore.
Delta Stewardess
March 16th, 2011
1:23 am
@All Vol
with Kiffin it seems the UT GIRLS Volunteered to and did do EVERYTHING to help ?????Score.
Humpday’s Happenings & Hyperlinks 3/16/11 - Drofdarb Sports
March 16th, 2011
2:00 am
[...] committed a recruiting violation during the recruitment of prized tailback Isaiah Crowell. As a result, Coach Richt isn’t allowed to call recruits next [...]
Logan Booker
March 16th, 2011
6:04 am
It doesn’t matter because it’s a new year and UGA will win the SEC and everything else this and every year. UGA fans always have winning predictions and prognostications before the actual season begins. To think otherwise would not be a true delusional Dawg fan. woof woof woof
DC
March 16th, 2011
8:55 am
Bama is on probation.
Gatornation
March 16th, 2011
8:59 am
I agree this is a non-issue. It wouldn’t be a real game-day simulation if positive yards were gained on the play
Shout out to booger
Murk Racht
March 16th, 2011
9:04 am
If UGA fans are “retarded”…
Say no more. It’s common knowledge the dawgtards are the dumbest, most illiterate fans in the country.
Buckeye
March 16th, 2011
9:42 am
Woe,
This one’s for you
Buckeye
Compared to the SEC, the Big Ten is a cesspool and THE ohio state is the biggest turd.
Buckeye
March 16th, 2011
9:43 am
Clinch,
No, not yestersay. Went with the mock.
Today could be a good day for the vest. Should I go with the Fairway and Greene or the Peter Millar?
BigDawg86
March 16th, 2011
10:45 am
the NCAA has so many stupid rules that no one can possibly be aware of and follow all of them…..this is not a big deal.
Ace
March 16th, 2011
11:52 am
What this shows is UGA’s head coach is a desperate admitted cheater. Probably lies too.
Whisky Breath
March 16th, 2011
12:36 pm
Look you dummies, CMR has been educated multiple times by the SEC and NCAA. He knew it was a violation, did it anyway. Who should know more about the damn rules than the head coach? The man sins like the rest of us.
ClinchCountyDawg
March 16th, 2011
1:39 pm
Buckeye
I think you should wear the wittle cute pink one that your mother bought for you at Kmart.
Timbodog
March 16th, 2011
2:22 pm
Wow, how did I know everyone would be defending Mark on this one?
IT IS HIS JOB TO KNOW THE RULES…
Besides, it’s pathetic that he would have made this elaborate show to reel in a high school kid anyway. Have some dignity, Mark.
ClinchCountyDawg
March 16th, 2011
3:05 pm
Timbodog
Al least, Richt is not throwing $180,000 and hookers at prospects like some schools have done. It is like getting a ticket fro driving 56 in a 55 zone. Rinky dink.
NCAA COPS
March 16th, 2011
3:25 pm
This isn’t some obscure rule. This is a well known rule that was instituted only a couple of years ago because of the abuse and the implementation of the rule was discussed at the SEC spring meetings in Destin a couple of years ago. Richt knew he was cheating when he did this. Plain and simple. He is dishonest.
Candela Ross
March 16th, 2011
3:34 pm
What this shows is UGA’s head coach is a desperate admitted cheater. Probably lies too.
Yep.
Randy Jones
March 16th, 2011
3:37 pm
Interesting post! I wonder if this’ll be posted on Twenty-First Tycoon. Although the site has awesome political, business, technology, and real estate news, they could use more stuff like this. http://www.21Tycoon.com
Buckeye
March 16th, 2011
3:38 pm
Clinch,
WTF is Clinic County? One redlight or two?
ClinchCountyDawg
March 16th, 2011
3:41 pm
NCAA COPS
When did Barney Fife go to work with the NCAA. Barney Fife ignores a bank robbery to give Goober a ticket for jaywalking.
ClinchCountyDawg
March 16th, 2011
3:44 pm
Suckeye
Clinch County is a little slice of heaven down on the Okefenokee Swamp about halfway between Waycross and Valdosta. We are proud of our State Championship in football this past fall. Also, we have 2 redlights and looking to add more because of our exploding growth.
WIN WITH RICHT
March 16th, 2011
3:48 pm
Bob From Baxley
When Richt was named head coach they had not won an SEC title in nearly 20 years. Richt has won 2. They had never played in the SEC championship. Under Richt, they have played in 3.
NCAA COPS
March 16th, 2011
3:56 pm
Clinchcountydog,
You’re ever bit the idiot as your coach is every bit a lying cheater.
NCAA COPS
March 16th, 2011
3:59 pm
win with richt,
And how many NCs has Richt won in 10 years? Urban won 2 in 5, Saban on 2 in 9 years at 2 different sec schools, Chizik won in his 2nd year, Miles won one. And Richt obviously isn’t going to win one anytime soon. You can pretty much bank on that. I’m guessing 6-6 for 2011- maybe 8-4 if you get really lucky.
WIN WITH RICHT
March 16th, 2011
4:11 pm
NCAA COPS
LMAO!!! Are you trying to be funny or are you just plain stupid. Dawgs will be strong in 2011 and all you Richt haters will be eating crow.
NCAA COPS
March 16th, 2011
4:53 pm
Win with Richt,
Actually I’m wondering if you’re trying to be funny- or are ya just stoned buddy. We’re talking about a team that went 6-7 last year and lost to Central Florida in a bowl game. Matter of fact you couldn’t even dent the end zone against UCF. You lost your best offensive and defensive player and yet you think you’re going to be “strong”.
Learn to use some critical thinking skills son. Either that or put down the crack pipe.
Buckeye
March 16th, 2011
4:54 pm
Clinch,
I’ve not resorted to talking about yo Mama nor calling you names. I’d appreciate the same. “Suckeye” is an insult to salmon…oh, that’s Sockeye, sorry. Nevermind
I’m sure you had a fun run with your football team. Nothing like high school football and how it brings a school and community together.
Are you near Telfair Country? I paid a speeding ticket in Telfair, heading to SSI on the Golden Isle Parkway a few years back
Glad to see you are endearing other bloggers beside me.
Buckeye
Buckeye
Buckeye
March 16th, 2011
4:55 pm
Hey Clinch,
FYI, the KMart nearby closed. The community keep Walmart abay.
The Ole Ball Coach
March 16th, 2011
6:38 pm
Glad yall had a paragraph on the ex Auburn players admitting robbery…. and you leave this junk up for weeks………………….LOL
UGA fans are retarded
March 16th, 2011
6:38 pm
“Dawgs will be strong in 2011 and all you Richt haters will be eating crow.’
That’s what you all said last year, and the year before and so on in to infinity.
UGA fans are retarded
March 16th, 2011
6:39 pm
“But “UGA Fans Are Retarted” has even more time on his hands. Get a job dude!”
MikeP, you’ve been on this blog more than I have. Hypocrite much?
Dagny
March 16th, 2011
7:15 pm
Dawgturds cheat.
An NCAA death penalty would end this crap and shut down the biggest single embarrassment to the State of Georgia.
Burdick
March 16th, 2011
7:20 pm
Dawgs suck, despite all the cheating and sleaziness. Some things never change.
AU in B-ham
March 17th, 2011
12:09 am
WTF? The NCAA comes up with some crazy rules, I thought that was a brilliant recruiting move by Richt and I hate UGA. I will tell you what is next, the NCAA will have their “people” present during all recruiting visits soon. They have millions and millions of money so hiring people to spy on teams is very possible.
AltamahaDawg
March 17th, 2011
7:22 am
Yea, they are really “racking up” the voilations. First there was the one, then there was, well, another one. What is that, like 98th place so far?
Vol S
March 17th, 2011
8:44 am
I’ve lost track of all of Richt’s violations. McGarity better crack down hard or they will be on major probation soon. McGarity needs to check with Coach Dooley at UT for the right way to run a program—he doesn’t put up with all this cheating that Ga is doing.
Rob
March 17th, 2011
8:55 pm
@Vol S
Are you serious?? Take a look in the mirror idiot.
Win With Richt Eats Idiots Sandwiches
March 19th, 2011
1:43 am
U and all the other Retarded Redneck Georgia hicks playing that same broken record for 100 years and youyr mutts always choke every year. Win something besides the Fulmer Cup, then you rednecks can brag.
Bill
March 19th, 2011
2:25 pm
Couple of years ago results of test to determine knowledge of NCAA rules showed no person on coaching test knew all the answers. Richt missed one or two, the best of the bunch. You would think that after paying the coaches big salaries, you would expect them to get all the answers correct? Maybe the athletic director ought to demand more effort from his coaching staffs?
UT Fan out of water
March 19th, 2011
3:48 pm
Where are all the NCAA Rules Experts that were posting last year regarding Auburn and Cam Newton? They seemed to know how guilty he was regardless of the lack of evidence. However, this rules violation gets posts like, “Could they just make a list of what ISN’T a violation?” or “I think the only thing the NCAAholes don’t consider a violation, is maybe breathing! They are a joke.” and my favorite “Classic NCAA BS. No one knows what a violoation is or isn’t until one has been committed. I think the NCAA makes up violations as they go along.”
Yet, everyone on this board seemed to know the exact wording and underlying meaning of the Cam Newton ALLEGATIONS.