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.
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755 comments Add your comment
Delta Stewardess
March 14th, 2011
6:11 pm
Stinger2
My dad was a pilot for Delta after his service in Korea. He met my mom when she was a FLIRT in a Skirt. Mom moved into the office after giving birth to me. I have enjoyed my flying time at Delta. I do not mind the moniker of Stewardess. I does have some negative connotations, but it is also an IDEAL of class, poise, and a certain body type that does not offend me. Call me a High Altitude Hooters Girl if you must, but that speaks more of your upbringing than mine.
GT
March 14th, 2011
6:16 pm
The refs are a joke, the NCAA is a joke. The problem is the rule is there and the attitude this is a joke instead of a poor decision by UGA is what keeps Georgia in a second tier level. How do you tell your kids they have responsibility when you don’t even take your own responsibility seriously?
Adam
March 14th, 2011
6:22 pm
This is a non-story because Mark Richt did the right thing and self reported. It’s never the violation that kills a program, it’s the cover up.
Because Richt pointed this out no one will ever care. If Richt pulled a Tressel/Pearl he would have covered this up and it would blow up a year from now. If Bruce Pearl just fessed up and admitted that he screwed up and let a recruit at a barbeque, honestly no one would have ever cared; lying about it is what killed him.
We got the top recruit in the country and the miniscule violation that sealed the deal is now history because our coach is smart enough to see the big picture.
Can’t wait for Fall – Go Dawgs!
MountainDawg
March 14th, 2011
6:26 pm
The NCAA is so over the top with their endless nickel & diming. The are so overly power-hungry & over-reaching.
Gainesville Dawg
March 14th, 2011
6:30 pm
Gosh! It has already started and it is not even July or August!!!!!!!! Who called McGarity’s attention to this possibly being a violation????? It does not make sense!!! As usual, UGA Football is under a microscope. AJC, What is next????
Supes
March 14th, 2011
6:35 pm
More BS from the NCAA,
they turn a blind eye towards real violations and nit pick on the irrelevant ones.
Auburn and Ohio State and others…yet UGA makes news with a “missing player formation violation”…unreal.
Whisky Breath
March 14th, 2011
6:36 pm
Nothing? By leaving the running back position out he basically told Crowell he would start.
I think that is why the rule was put in place. Kind of stupid of Richt’s part too. He of all people should know the rules. I think it was stupid CMR told the player he would start. What does that tell the current RB’s?
UGA Law Dawg
March 14th, 2011
6:40 pm
This is the problem, this was a well publicized rule change as Phil Fulmer was one of the greatest at having players don UT jerseys, have players run out of the tunnel with Rocky Top playing while their name was announced over the P.A.
There have been over 40 self reported cases of this practice since 2009. In 7 of those cases went on to become major violations while coupled with other minor or secondary violations.
That is why we all need to worry to some degree.
Gainesville Dawg
March 14th, 2011
6:40 pm
OK- FANS FOR OTHER COLLEGES- FIND YOUR OWN WEBSITE!! OR MAYBE YOU DO NOT HAVE ONE. OTHERWISE, GET A LIFE AND GET OFF UGA’S WEBSITE.
GOOOOOOOOOO, DAWGS!
GR82BAG8R
March 14th, 2011
6:42 pm
The current RB’s know they have competition now. That is as it should be. Georgia needs to have all their position players challenged every year. That is how you build championship teams.
GR82BAG8R
March 14th, 2011
6:43 pm
Gainesville Dog, where does it say this is UGA’s website? This is the AJC.
Jacket Man
March 14th, 2011
6:43 pm
Whether Bulldog fans want to admit it or not, UGA may take a major infraction on this gaff because Mark Richt acknowledged he knew the rules and failed to follow them, even if he miss derstood the full intent of the rule.
There has been a history of a lack of “Institutional Control” getting worse from the top down, starting with the former AD and working all the way down to the long list of player arrests and suspensions due to academic issues, etc.
After the Jan Kemp fiasco several years ago, and then the basketball cheating scandal, UGA’s athletic department will be looked at more carefully than other programs, and if there’s evidence that the football program’s taking liberties that the NCAA can finally hold over your heads, this may be the one.
Personally, I don’t think it’s a big deal, but from what I’ve heard, this may end up being worse than you think.
GeorgiaBorn
March 14th, 2011
6:45 pm
“and were dressed in their game-day uniform tops only”. They were naked from the waist down? That is really weird.
Mike
March 14th, 2011
6:47 pm
Idea … since this IS college and everything, why not have McGarity create a written test of the rules, requiring that all coaches, assistants, grad assistants and anyone else related to the program is required take and score 100%!?! Then we will all know and abide by the rules. The rules are written down and are available, and even if the legalistic language is tricky – well guess what? We have a Law School complete with law professors – c’mon, man!
Actually I thought Richt’s idea to insert a recruit into a “missing man” formation was brilliant.
GR82BAG8R
March 14th, 2011
6:47 pm
The story is about another recruiting violation by Georgia – - self reported. Normally opposing teams’ fans would be needling Georgia about it. I would rather the NCAA save their energy to stamp out real cheating. I am just waiting to see what they do to Tressel.
Gainesville Dawg
March 14th, 2011
6:47 pm
GR82—–, sorry, it is NOT a UGA site, it is just about UGA!!!
My mistake.
gval
March 14th, 2011
6:47 pm
Like GTs two faculty members stealing…….caught
gval
March 14th, 2011
6:48 pm
I guess the 4 AU felony break ins…..
not a problem with the ncaa
btgt69
March 14th, 2011
6:48 pm
give uga the death penalty
Cruisin
March 14th, 2011
6:48 pm
Hey, Alabama Jack! What’s your last name…” Off ” ???
UGA Law Dawg
March 14th, 2011
6:49 pm
Folks, all schools coomitt minor violations, the word “intent has to applied.
Arkansas lockeroom photos in jerseys, Alabama bump rulen Florida bump rule, LSU illegal. Auburn providing females to minors, FSU conta they ll do it, butwho knowingly who does it is a different story.
gomdawg
March 14th, 2011
6:49 pm
I THINK THE NCAA NEED A ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT
Mark Richt : Golly Gee, I Just Didn’t Know (Hahahahaha) « Who Does
March 14th, 2011
6:52 pm
[...] Richt has received some modest punishment for what Georgia is calling a secondary violation of NCAA recruiting rules. Georgia is pleading for [...]
Take a hike, NCAA
March 14th, 2011
6:54 pm
It is time for the college football power conferences (SEC, Big 10, Big 12, PAC 10) to band together and withdraw from the NCAA. The others will soon follow. Besides getting out from under the NCAA Nazis, we might also be able to determine a true national champion in D1 football.
Tech Buzz
March 14th, 2011
6:55 pm
After all this cheating in the last few weeks, maybe richt can do a mission trip to south america to improve his image.
RTR!!!
March 14th, 2011
6:56 pm
If he had signed with Alabama and Saban pulled this stunt, we would never hear the end of your crying. But since it’s CMR, the NCAA is picking on UGA. Poor delusional UGA fans.
UGA-The Fighting Charlie Sheens
crusher dawg
March 14th, 2011
6:59 pm
This is pitiful. Why doesn’t the NCAA put policies in place that are important. Everyone desires to make a recruit wanted. Whether it’s for business or football.
woebegong
March 14th, 2011
6:59 pm
Whiskey,
Where did you see where CMR told him he would start. CMR said, that if Crowell did what he needed to do, he could see some action, in so many words against Boise State. Never did he mention Crowell being the starting back. Do you have some insiders information that supports this starting rumor?
GOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSS
buffdawg
March 14th, 2011
7:06 pm
take a hike, i agree 100%
woebegong
March 14th, 2011
7:06 pm
Man, I am sure glad there wasn’t a flyover of 10 f-16’s from Moody or this would have been a really big violation. Imagine a missing man formation for all to see. UGA would have had to pay for the flights because it would surely be their fault, even if the aircraft had Tech. stenciled on their wings. I am sure glad we have the NCAA to cover all these terrible violations.
GOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSS
Tech 54
March 14th, 2011
7:07 pm
It seems that the NCAA is doing its best to demonstrate an outlived usefulness when we hear of some of these rules violations. They are needed and in need, of a top to bottom revamping. I would be willing to wager that every school has run afoul of one or another minor violation. Could it be there are just too many lawyers on the NCAA payroll churning out rules to justify their salaries?
Big Dog 98
March 14th, 2011
7:07 pm
“Richt knew it would be against NCAA rules to use equipment or run a play involving a recruit, but did not know the limited Jan. 23 activity was against the rules.”
I like and support Richt … but, this was really dumb. He needs to be held accountable.
chickenman
March 14th, 2011
7:08 pm
BUKOOOK!! Crowell for heisman!
NEWSFLASH - STOP THE PRESSES
March 14th, 2011
7:14 pm
March 13, 2011 – At approximately 10:30 AM, University of Georgia Head Football Coach Mark Richt was observed walking down a sidewalk in Athens, GA. It was further reported that, in so doing, he stepped on several cracks. The health of his mother’s back is unknown at this time but the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and the NCAA have begun separate investigations. More details to follow but Richt is facing several criminal and civil charges if these allegations are found to be true.
Dave
March 14th, 2011
7:15 pm
Again people, can we say “lack of institutional control”? keep this up and there will be no more UGA football. WE gets back on the team, 12 arrests in last 14 months, 6-7 record.
Dave
March 14th, 2011
7:17 pm
AU national champs!
TampaDAWG
March 14th, 2011
7:18 pm
Well at least these were self reported and not found out through a breaking story that the coach knew he did something wrong and tried to hide it. NCAA is a joke and their recruiting violation rule book is so thick that NOBODY knows what every violation is or isn’t. It does get old that Ray Drew invited former UGA players to his announcement and that is somehow a violation, what about all these active pro athletes that work out at their Alma mater during the summer. I’m sure they speak to recruits and players but nothing is made of. Just gotta wonder….
big o
March 14th, 2011
7:18 pm
I dont understand how GT people can summon the balls to say anything on any blog anywhere. Way to go CMR . God forgives you and so do we !!!! Go Dawgs !!!!
Bug Zapper
March 14th, 2011
7:22 pm
please show my posts
michael
March 14th, 2011
7:23 pm
Give me a break! Tell those asses to get a life!
sports
March 14th, 2011
7:25 pm
WHat’s the story about THUG U…I mean Auburn Correctional Institute, what a classy program!
Bug Zapper
March 14th, 2011
7:26 pm
Let me try to post this for the third time.
Tech Buzz –
Let us know when you have a football program. Until then, begone. 9 out of 10.
The NCAA is a hypocritical high handed organization if they let Newton play in the BCS title game to drive up ratings but we have to worry about harmless garbage like this. Remember the CFA? Let the coaches unionize and reach an agreement with the NCAA about what is cheating.
Not that Auburn would abide….
Rosgator
March 14th, 2011
7:27 pm
It’s insane that CMR action is a NCAA violation.however, the whole scenario is “cheesy”which appears to be a pattern with CMR!
woebegong
March 14th, 2011
7:27 pm
The NCAA does require that members of the athletic dept. take a 40 question test concerning rules violations in football. The NCAA rule book for football alone is a 273 page book. I wonder how they decided to pick out 40 questions from that mammoth book of rules. It is no wonder that the colleges and universities, have whole legal staffs involved with the main job of insuring that the rules are kept.
The SEC office informed CMR and the AD that this incident was a violation. I don’t believe the NCAA has said anything about it yet. It sounds like to me, as it is being reported here, that they did not have on a complete uniform and did not run any plays with Crowell, so CMR did not feel it, violated the rules. Since they seem to usually, amend or change a portion of the rules each year, supposedly to cover things that may have been considering skirting around a rule, or misinterpretation, I am sure they will clarify this point in their next update.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Bug Zapper
March 14th, 2011
7:33 pm
Rosgator –
Let’s see: let a kid have a little harmless fun during a visit, or play a felony stalker? Hmm.
cd
March 14th, 2011
7:35 pm
wow! I’m an Auburn fan and that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. The NCAA is a freaking joke
fratdawg
March 14th, 2011
7:42 pm
During the recruitment process john jenkins profile pic was him in uf locker room wearing a uf jersey. So I believe uf also violated a similar rule
Dawgfan0711
March 14th, 2011
7:47 pm
I think the NCAA rule book would be shorter if they just listed what isn’t a violation! Tressel let his players play the whole season without reporting what they did and he only gets suspended for two scrimmage games. The ncaa likes to hit the sec harder than most conferences.
Mr. SEC
March 14th, 2011
7:50 pm
why don’t you here about all the other schools (sec, acc, etc) about all of their violations? it’s all about uga! anybody that posts that there are no other schools that do worse is a, (well, you know)!
I’m going to that drink now. i hope crowell’s dog ain’t violating anything; the ncaa would probably sanction him for being a minor shown on tv and blogs.
Snake Doc
March 14th, 2011
7:50 pm
The CEO strikes again. UGA football, what an embarrassment!