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
Come on big o...really?
March 14th, 2011
7:51 pm
big oo..you posted this: “Way to go CMR . God forgives you and so do we”
say what? this may be a violation in the ncaa rule book, but there is no simulation rule in the good book..so Im pretty sure God isnt involved in this one..that is unless his”to do” list is as follows:
God’s to do list today
1/monitor the universe
2/heal the sick
3/feed the hungry
2/forgive Mark Richt for simulating a football formation
Dawg Whisperer
March 14th, 2011
7:55 pm
Is there a rule saying that you must correct any spelling or grammatical mistakes because I’m not correcting mine. While I’m on my soap box, I might add that all the hype that is paid to NCAA recruiting rules pales against the devastation going on in Japan. I know sports is an outlet but that’s what they said in Rome 1600 years ago before it fell according to my cousin Vinny. I stand amazed at all the anger and sniping that goes on between fans over college football. I think for some, nothing is more important (until they lose their family). I’m through. I suspended myself from posting a sports blog for one week.
He Hate Gator
March 14th, 2011
7:59 pm
Much ado about nothing. Have to defend Richt in this one and I am not a Richt fan. Bottom line, the book on what isn’t an infraction is much shorter than the book of what is….
woebegong
March 14th, 2011
8:00 pm
Fratdaqwg,
According to the NCAA rulebook: The player must leave the locker room with a jersey on, in order for it to be a violation. Mind you, it is perfectly legal to receive that jersey outside of the locker room, and put it on then. But if you enter the locker room with the jersey on or receive it in the locker room, it is illegal,to wear it once you are outside the locker room. You can also show pictures of jerseys with the recruits name on them in a photo, or press conference and this is not considered a violation either. If the young kid steps up to the podium on signing day, with a team jersey on and has not signed the paper yet, then this is also a violation.
This is the sad state of affairs called “The NCAA Rule Book”.
bigguy
March 14th, 2011
8:02 pm
Everthing’s legal in Alabama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlTWGblGick
woebegong
March 14th, 2011
8:03 pm
Fratdawg, sorry for the misprint on your name. I know what I want to say, but my typing sometimes betrays me, LOL.
nash
March 14th, 2011
8:05 pm
I was thinking that all these recruiting violations could be the reason UGA has not had any early commitments. Do you think it stops there or are there other names that have not be mentioned
woebegong
March 14th, 2011
8:09 pm
Nash,
I would bet you that every other school in the SEC, if not most in the NCAA Div. 1 have violated this rule. UGA, by the way, does have two early commitments already. A WR from Georgia and a kicker from Florida. I think a lot of them are waiting to see how this years team does on the field. I feel sure UGA will fill the needs they have.
Bug Zapper
March 14th, 2011
8:12 pm
woebegong –
That rule book should be called, “The most arbitrary set of BS rules unless it interferes with our ability to make money.”
Bug Zapper
March 14th, 2011
8:14 pm
nash –
Nice try but no connection. We’ll pursue juniors after end of spring practice.
That Shameful Richt, Again
March 14th, 2011
8:28 pm
Richt embarrases UGA again — with his cheating, what kind of bible does he believe in. UGA, the fan base is important, as the GT athletic director said, and the fan base is hurting. Richt, you know UGA deserves better than you. Even if you win the national championship next year, you have hurt UGA so badly that if you had any personal integrity, you would resign. It’s too bad UGA doesn’t have the courage to fire you. Everybody needs a job with UGA — it’s full-employment for life, whether one deserves it or not.
Brainiac(Dawg for life)
March 14th, 2011
8:30 pm
@Alphare: Cam only attended Cow College U for one year. Even the Cow College doesn’t charge $180,000.00 for one year. How about Cam and Cecil giving back the overcharge.
BILLY JACK
March 14th, 2011
8:33 pm
THE NCAA IS PATHETIC AND JUST THINKING UP SILLY THINGS ON SCHOOLS TO TRY AND PASS THE TIME OF DAY.PRETTY SOON ANY RECRUIT ON THE INTERNET WILL BE A VIOLATION.SAD
Brainiac(Dawg for life)
March 14th, 2011
8:34 pm
@The Shameful Richt, Again; How about you just ride off into the sunset and we never see or hear from you again. I hope to hell you never become a UGA employee. Still sleeping with your mama and sister?
Funny
March 14th, 2011
8:34 pm
Just goes to show that St. Richt ain’t above cheating too!!! For you loosers who think that St. Richt did not know of this rule are as stupid as your redneck posts.
woebegong
March 14th, 2011
8:36 pm
Bug Zapper,
It sure seems that way, doesn’t it. The NCAA is indeed a big money making organization. Too bad some of these “I HATE ANYTHING ABOUT UGA FOOTBALL” don’t read this article or better even, look at the NCAA rule book, before making stupid comments. You just have to learn to ignore childish comments. It is exceedingly funny when some of those remarks are made by Tech. supporters.
GOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSSS
bitter larry munson (9") size does matter
March 14th, 2011
8:41 pm
poison trees —-pay for PLAY—–please hatters——small potatoes compared to neckville
Lifelong Tech fan
March 14th, 2011
8:42 pm
I am beginning to wonder if the NCAA has been taken over by college-football-haters, instead of those who started it…the college-football-lovers-and-protectors.
woebegong
March 14th, 2011
8:42 pm
Brainiac,
Are you trying to say that some of these fine bloggers may be the result of inbreeding gone wrong? LOL.
GOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSS
kral
March 14th, 2011
8:46 pm
this is to funny to comment on,,,oh kinda just did oh well..
bitter larry munson (9") size does matter
March 14th, 2011
8:47 pm
i scarasced my tesse’s and johnson—–what ncaa rule have i violated?????—-just saying
woebegong
March 14th, 2011
8:57 pm
Bitter,
I’ll have to look it up. Sure there is a rule there someplace in the NCAA bible, errr I mean rulebook. Probably under the part concerning personal hygiene or representing your school in a happy NCAA way.
Bama Mike
March 14th, 2011
8:59 pm
Just goes to show you Moma and Papa know best. Both parents preferred Bama. Both commented on how the players at Bama were dedicated to the off season work-out program nutrition etc.,. But little Marki Richt just had to dip into that bag of pizaaz and pull one out from the days he worked under Saint Bobby. Just being Ford tough, selling carpet from Dalton and building dobe huts where-ever it is you disappear to is no longer a free pass Mark O. Would like to be a fly on the wall at the Crowell’s house.
Drew
March 14th, 2011
9:00 pm
just one more reason why the NCAA is a joke in the eyes of most college football fans
kral
March 14th, 2011
9:00 pm
to quote DR. ZEUS ..could we have done in the hall…how aboout at the mall…with a pal named Sall..or in a dorm with Norm.. or during a storm..NOOOOO says ncaa I am..
UGA fans are retarded
March 14th, 2011
9:01 pm
UGA fans, are you really that stupid to believe that your program is clean?
Remember, you all won the 2010 Fulmer Cup.
UGA fans are retarded
March 14th, 2011
9:02 pm
Dawgs still lead Auburn in the arrest department.
UGA 12 Auburn 4
kral
March 14th, 2011
9:02 pm
I will just call you bm..I’m sure that little trick sowed it up for UGA…go on believing
Sonny Clusters
March 14th, 2011
9:03 pm
Are you saying that if the phone rings in Coach Richt’s Ford pickup . . . he’s not going to answer it? We was thinking he always answers his phone in his truck. What if a top prospect calls him? Does he forward the call to his wife, Go Dawgs? We was wondering.
kral
March 14th, 2011
9:04 pm
not as impaired mentally as your posts ufar
UGA fans are retarded
March 14th, 2011
9:05 pm
kral
WOOF WOOF 6-7er. Have fun in Memphis this year. Again.
UGA fans are retarded
March 14th, 2011
9:06 pm
DEATH PENALTY, THUGA!
Bama Mike
March 14th, 2011
9:08 pm
Oh and by the way I understand that every university compliance officer across the country now has the photo of David Pollock standing behind the podium prior to the recruits announcment on which school he was to attend. Bold caps DO NOT ALLOW THIS. Did McGarity can your entire compliance staff. Classic just classic. Pollack even has the look of Duh is this wrong. Just classic. Got to pat Aubie on the back for sending that one to the SEC office. You guys are on a roll. Ford tough I guess. Glad I drive a Lexus just like Nick.
woebegong
March 14th, 2011
9:13 pm
I believe the cup standing are so far for 2011;
Fulmer cup 2011=UGA 0
Felon cup 2011=Auburn 5
Yep, no doubt about it. Robbing a family by gunpoint is no where as serious as drunk and disorderly. Glad that cleared up for me.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
UGA fans are retarded
March 14th, 2011
9:14 pm
“Got to pat Aubie on the back for sending that one to the SEC office.
What are you talking about?
kral
March 14th, 2011
9:15 pm
your hilarious ufar..a real joke…politically incorrect..an insensitive..immature..irrational..need i go on..
UGA fans are retarded
March 14th, 2011
9:15 pm
“Felon cup 2011=Auburn 5′
What’s so freaking stupid about your comment is the fact that none of those players play for Auburn anymore. All 12 of those retards at UGA came back to play for THUGA.
DEATH PENALTY, LEG HUMPERS!
UGA fans are retarded
March 14th, 2011
9:15 pm
“your hilarious ufar..a real joke…politically incorrect..an insensitive..immature..irrational..need i go on..’
kral, you can kiss my a$$, loser.
kral
March 14th, 2011
9:15 pm
bm,,bm,,,bm you just keep spouting bm
Cecil Newton
March 14th, 2011
9:16 pm
The SEC gonna suspend that boy for four games.
UGA is a buncha CHEATERS!
Hector
March 14th, 2011
9:16 pm
No connemt!
UGA fans are retarded
March 14th, 2011
9:16 pm
“bm,,bm,,,bm you just keep spouting bm”
Got any red panties to sell, Kral?
kral
March 14th, 2011
9:18 pm
totally mature response..ufart…oh I lowered my self to your level…dang me i am rt..added the T
UGA fans are retarded
March 14th, 2011
9:18 pm
“totally mature response..ufart’
Oh wow, way to totally contradict yourself.
kral
March 14th, 2011
9:19 pm
why you want too wear some…i’ll check with the wife if your heart is set on it ufart
dragon
March 14th, 2011
9:21 pm
This totallly breaks the spirit of NCAA rules …but the dogs will survive and lose big in the SEC.> Richt knew this was cheating, but like his mentor Bobby Bowden he will hide behind Jesus and get it away with cheating. Go Dawgs!!! Cheat! Cheat! Cheat!
kral
March 14th, 2011
9:21 pm
some times you have to get on the same level of who your talking with…would not want to make them insecure ufart
kral
March 14th, 2011
9:21 pm
some times you have to get on the same level of who your talking with…would not want to make them insecure ufart
Cecil Newton
March 14th, 2011
9:22 pm
NCAA is taking a lot of heat right now but the NCAA ain’t gonna touch Ohio State.
They make em too much money like Auburn.
UGA cheats and loses. Ain’t no sweat off the NCAA’s back to give them what they deserve.
No scholarships. No TV money and no TV games.
Make an example out of them.
Bend over UGA. It’s coming.
woebegong
March 14th, 2011
9:23 pm
Man, that is a stupid a comment as they come. I guess because Hitler is dead and not a part of Germany anymore, the genocide never happened. Those 5 players were a part of the Auburn team prior to committing their offenses. They were a member of the “Auburn Family”.
UGA FANS ARE RETARED. Just how old are you anyway? I am guessing your mommy does not know you are not in bed and instead are on her computer.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS