UGA hit with Level I secondary violation for inadvertent text messages
The SEC has determined that the text messages Georgia coach Mark Richt inadvertently sent to the father of an elite in-state recruit in May constituted a Level I secondary violation of NCAA rules.
That’s the bad news. The good news is UGA was granted relief from the standard minimum penalty associated with Level I violations “based on the fact there was no content to the text messages,” SEC Commissioner Mike Slive reported in a July 6 letter to the NCAA. The letter was obtained by the AJC through a Freedom of Information request.
Georgia has yet to hear back from the NCAA approving the SEC’s actions, but that is considered a formality.
“We have nothing to say on this subject,” Georgia Athletic Director Greg McGarity said.
In McGarity’s May 27 letter of explanation to Slive, he reports that Richt accidentally sent two text messages from his Blackberry to the father of Harris County defensive end Jordan Jenkins on May 26th. Jenkins is considered by many the top prospect in Georgia. Text messages to prospects or their family members are impermissible per NCAA rules until one day after a prospect has signed a national letter of intent with the school.
In the first instance, Richt received a text from Ron Jenkins asking for camp dates. Since Richt did not have the number programmed in his phone, the text was identified as “unknown.” Richt intended to forward the text to a recruiting assistant for identification but accidentally replied to Mr. Jenkins, which was a violation NCAA Bylaw 13.4.1.2.
Richt immediately reported the inadvertent violation to compliance director Eric Baumgartner, who subsequently asked Richt if Mr. Jenkins had replied. In an attempt to forward Mr. Jenkins’ response to Baumgartner, Richt accidentally replied to Mr. Jenkins again, hence he had to report another text violation.
Level I secondary violations are more serious than Level II violations. But this particular violation was considered Level I only because it involved inpermissible contact of a recruit.
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259 comments Add your comment
Tampa Gator
August 1st, 2011
10:59 am
Jorge’……
Florida “bitched slapped Joe Pa’s team in a New Year’s Day bowl game…..as I recall.
Jorge' O'leary
August 1st, 2011
11:02 am
One dream team recruiting class does not a championship make. UF gets those year in and year out,,, and if Mullen didn’t step out from Meyers shadow, UF would be on top every year!
SEC Fact Finder
August 1st, 2011
11:05 am
Well folks, the week has arrived. We can all sit back for the next few weeks, read the blogs, hope all of our players are eligible and have all the optimism in the world that this will be “our”(insert your school here) year.
The violations committed by Coach Richt is a shame. Why is it a shame? Because the NCAA and the Rules committee decided a few years ago to stop the text messaging during certain periods that were former evaluation periods, stop the spring and summer evaluation period, stop coaches from visiting school and “bumping” into players. All these additional rules on top of the other rules that have become outdated just add more misery to ANY coach who wants to work year round to insure the players he and his staff are recruiting are doing well academically, are hanging around the right people, and are not being “shopped” by some “family agent”. These rules are not made for the coaches who work hard, they are made for the coaches who do not live football 365.
Coaches have enough responsibility on campus to insure their current players are attending class, making their grades, working out, and doing all the right things to be a “student-athlete”.
If we want to see our programs do better jobs of providing these young athletes with the best opportunities to leave school with a degree in their hand, then we need to allow the coaches, administrators, and compliance staffs to have access to these students while they are in their senior year of high school to start the education process of what is expected of them and what are rule violations that effect players and schools during their recruitment.
One more thing, the old rule of ‘Laundry money’ needs to return. If a kid is given a few bucks each week the kid is less likely to go out and try to sell something that is traceable and more times than not will land him on the forefront of one of these blogger’s website.
Good luck to you and your school, and hoping the SEC makes it 6 in a row.
Jorge' O'leary
August 1st, 2011
11:06 am
They did, basically playing at home from what I remember. Ucf bitch slapped Uga too! Bwaaahhhaaa Bwaaaahaaa
Tampa Gator
August 1st, 2011
11:22 am
Jorge….
Do you really think that Georgia team….at the end of the year and playing in Memphis…..really cared about playing UCF in a bowl game……they had not interest or motivation for that game…..sorry to say, because they were representing the SEC still. For UCF……it was the biggest bowl game ever. But….Georgia’s effort in the game was pathetic…..as UCF still barely won the game. So don’t crow about the win too much. UCF would win, at most 5 games a year playing in the SEC. Be glad you play in the conference you play in…..and having the opportunity to play in Memphis each year. SEC teams have higher goals………and play in Memphis type bowls to get extra practice…mainly…..but Georgia should have had more pride….and given more effort….in that game. It was an embarrassment to Dawg fans….and to the SEC, for sure.
D-MAN
August 1st, 2011
11:29 am
Someone needs to send Richt to a class so he can learn how to use his cell phone!! Geez.
Jorge' O'leary
August 1st, 2011
11:36 am
Hey Gator, all of your points are duly noted. Yes, Ucf was out classed and out talented. Doesn’t it bother you that Richt couldn’t motivate them or hang the pride tag on them at halftime? This team hasn’t done crap with the talent they get since Van Gorder left, and CMR keeps throwing assistants under the bus….
TTOUGH44
August 1st, 2011
11:38 am
When is the SEC going to abolish the NCAA? My goodness, NCAA is a joke. Never consistent with its penalties. Frankly, with the Ohio state ruling…that was my last straw as far as acknowledging the NCAA as a respectful organization. Sure, we need a governing body to oversee collegiate sports, however, NCAA has made themselves a joke with the way OHIO state was handling. I have NO RESPECT for them and Slive KNOWS for sure OHIO State fiasco was handling wrong.JOKE JOKE JOKE
Tampa Gator
August 1st, 2011
11:45 am
D-Man….(the following is a political comment).
He’s too busy reading the Bible…..(you know the book created by the “church”….more like the government at the time…..sometime in the early 1,000s to control the minds….and pocketbooks….of the middle and lower classes…..a similar concept now being so effectively pushed by the TEA Party)…..and following the latest inspired words of FOX commentators (all of which Rich surely holds second only to that right-wing Jesus creation of the right-wing Christian church (more like a money-hungry political party these days instead of a church)…….but I hear the real Jesus….the one who lived and taught other concepts about 2000 years ago…..wasn’t right wing at all….more like the opposite…..and most likely would be crucified with “socialist” words, not a cross…..by the TEA Party members, live on FOX TV.
Tampa Gator
August 1st, 2011
11:47 am
Jorge…..
Richt hasn’t been able to develop and motive his talent for many of the 18 out of the last 21 years. Florida hasn’t had that better of talent over those years…..just a lot better coaching….and a lot more motivated players. The Gators didn’t go to Tampa last year….after losing bitterly to South Carolins…and lay an egg. It IS ALL ABOUT COACHING THEM UP.
Jorge' O'leary
August 1st, 2011
11:53 am
Laughing at Tampa Gator’s meltdown. Like a Dawg returning to its vomit, let’s keep returning to the same 2 parties that have run the country so well. God help any party wanting to solve the problems of the country. So go pull the lever for the socialist party or the sweatshop labor party and see how it works out for you buddy!!
Tampa Gator
August 1st, 2011
11:53 am
Jorge……
By the way…..O’Leary is a hell of a football coach…..but a coach with proven, questionable ethics…don’t you think. UCF…..was his last chance. I am surprised he was able to hang onto his job after the jury verdict that blamed him for the player’s death. You can lose you job for allowing players to get tattos and trying to cover it up…..but you don’t lose you job for basically causing a player’s death by ignoring health issues….and then denying and even trying to cover it up???? Not sure what is going on these days (Anthoney getting a million to talk after killing her kid in order to be able to party more???????). Well….I have gone to far to the political this AM. Need to sign off and go for a walk on the beach to clear my mind of negative thoughts and build some positive energy for the rest of the day……,see ya.
Chip Towers
August 1st, 2011
11:55 am
NCBulldawg86: It’s my job to report on everything that affects Georgia athletics, NCAA enforcement being one of those. The Bulldogs have at least two other secondary violations being reviewed by the SEC and the NCAA and an ongoing investigation into the eligibility of football player Jarvis Jones and basketball player Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Be prepared as I will be reporting on those as well.
Chip Towers
August 1st, 2011
11:56 am
Ramblin Man: Yes, at any point the NCAA can conclude that too many secondaries can result in a major.
Tampa Gator
August 1st, 2011
11:58 am
Jorge….
saw your last comment……come on down to Florida with right wing, extreme thinking….and ask all those who voted TEA Party for the Gov and the Senate last time in this state…..and ask them how it is working out for them……currently…..barely over 20 percent in Florida think it is working well for them. But…..I am a moderate thinker……like the first Bush, like Ronald Reagan in his second term…and, yes, Mr. Clinton in his second term…..all of which were excellent Presidents and served our country well. We need more moderatation……and less extreme on the left and the right.
Tampa Gator
August 1st, 2011
12:02 pm
……and yes,….I voted for Reagan the second time……the first Bush both times…..and for Clinton the second time. So, I guess that makes me socialist, right? No, someone who votes on results and reason…..not emotion. Now….I have to go clear the mind.
Minnesota Dawg
August 1st, 2011
12:02 pm
Why is it when Mark Richt has anything negative come out whether true or not true, some people have to go to mocking his faith? I find it also amazing that so many non-Dawg fans get on this site and make comments. It sure is great to be a Georgia Bulldog!!!!!
brandon
August 1st, 2011
12:02 pm
The head coach needs to learn how to use his phone…
SEC Fact Finder
August 1st, 2011
12:04 pm
Tampa Gator,
Wow!. Got your Pinellas County blood boiling this morning didn’t he? Speaking for us folks in the NW side of Hillsborough County, the Libertarian view point is more in line with most folks around here. Conservative on Financials, and liberal on Social issues.
Good luck to your gators, I think Will M, will do a good job for you guys, but the jury is still out on Charlie and what he will bring to the table. Either way, the talent at UF is loaded and I think they will surprise many folks expecting UF to have a second moderate year.
JTP
August 1st, 2011
12:06 pm
Does the AJC really have nothing better to report on than this? It’s been up for a few days now, nobody cared about it to begin with and no one cares now. Yet 3 days later it’s now the headline article? The AJC has plenty of room for improvement.
Jorge' O'leary
August 1st, 2011
12:08 pm
All things aside, let FOOTBALL begin!!!!
Terry
August 1st, 2011
12:16 pm
Getting a little tired of the NCAA’s obsession w/ certain SEC schools while ignoring the blatant huge in your face vioaltions of others, not only in the conference but at other schools and they know who they are.
At UGA, inadvertant text messages, they notify, cooperate & they get hit. Are you kidding me?
At LSU, they notify, cooperate, fire the asst coach & they get hit w/ a year & the player never played one down and transferred.
WTHey?
SEC Fact Finder
August 1st, 2011
12:49 pm
This is really not about the NCAA slamming SEC schools. This is about the operation of each Compliance office at each school and how they honestly operate and how the coaches of each sport, administrators of each Athletic Department approach the responsibilities they have do their jobs. The compliance department at UGA seems to be doing their jobs pretty well, and are proactive in turning over what is deemed as a violation to the SEC and the NCAA. The NCAA does not act unless a report is filed to the SEC and then onto them either by a school about a violation they committed, by another school that is deemed to have merit, or by a student athlete and/or prospect with information about a violation.
From reading this and other reports the NCAA is using this particular case as an final warning to UGA staff members to control and closely monitor their text/phone calls and any further wrong doing shall be dealt with harshly as a repeated violation. The Compliance staff and Coaches staff at UGA should be commended for turning over the violation and the evidence associated with it. I am not a UGA fan, I am a SEC fan, seeing schools make right decisions always ends up with the school being treated fairly and honestly by the SEC and the NCAA. the staff at UGA did the right thing and this is more like being on “double secret probation” in regards to texting and phone calls and is a slap on the wrist.
Look at what happened at Tech where the compliance officer did not follow the written rules and now over a minor violation committed by one or two players is costing innocent players a championship won on the field with the so called stripping of titles and wins. In the end the rules in place now do not reflect the changes made in social media, and mobile technologies over the past 10 years and until the NCAA recognizes the communication processes have change the harder it is going to be to enforce some rules.
NCBulldawg86
August 1st, 2011
12:50 pm
Hey Chip, it sure is your job to report on the schools in the state of Georgia. But you know what? The sensational headline asks me to view what you do as your “job” has me likening you to TMZ and the rags at the checkout line at the grocery store. The only thing you didn’t have was some photoshopped version of a picture of Richt texting on his phone. Truly sad to see what I once craved to read every Sunday after gameday, and the build up to game day become akin to such trash television, but in print form.
Glad you sleep well doing your “job”, as I feel with a little encouragement and a reintroduction to grammar, I could give you a run for your money in the reporting department, in spite your history and connections. It is called integrity, and you sir, have sold yours in order to solicit moronic responses from your readers. Half these responses are moronic, at best. Well, if you are proud of such, God bless. Guess the onus is on me to see if the topic of the day is worthwhile. If the headline is sensationalized, see” today’s” installment, then I should proceed with caution.
I can only hope with Camp starting up this week, we can look forward to more pertinent information coming from you and the others at the good ol’ AJC.
Flaubert
August 1st, 2011
12:52 pm
Donnan succeeded in getting Coach Beamer to invest in Ponzi; Beamer said he got his money back (and how much more?). Was Beamer in collusion w/Donnan wherein Beamer’s success was predetermined in order to dupe others to invest? Come on, let’s get busy!
Atlanta87
August 1st, 2011
1:15 pm
@ Minnesota Dawg because it is so fun to do and watch you little mutts get your red panties in a wad or was that some 20 year old hookers panties?!?! Either way you get the idea. Also, what is so great about it? Not having a NC for 31 years? Going 6-7 with losses to UCF and Colorado? Trashing your tailgates making everything smell bad and expect someone else to clean it up? Yeah those things are so “great”
Atlanta87
August 1st, 2011
1:17 pm
@ NCBulldawg86 No one is forcing you to read this paper.
Tampa Gator
August 1st, 2011
1:22 pm
SEC Fact Finder…..
Back from the beach walk….and in better frame of mind.
I agree about the libertarian point of view….but the party lacks good leadership and consistent direction. I am also conservative when it comes to finance….and moderate with social issues. But…mostly….I think with my own brain.
Gators…..I am expecting a 3 to 5 loss year with Brantley at the helm. Things will get better when either Driskell or Brissett take over at QB, I believe.l I sure hope Brantley steps up….but I don’t think he has it in him. Weis certainly has not been raving about him…..but Muschamp has tried to support Brantley…..because….right now….he had little option with 3 freshmen as backups (one a reshirt in Typer Murphy). The Gator D will be tough….maybe even great if the secondary plays well. The O will be a thing in development…..and hopefully things will be ironed out well before playing Bama in THE SWAMP……can’t wait for that one…..will be loud. Going?
So….I am limiting my Gator expectations for this year…..but Muschamp and company will have the Gators playing well very soon…..maybe even this year…..depends on the play of Brantley, though, for this year.
Harvey D. Pooka
August 1st, 2011
1:24 pm
What say ye now, you UGly dog followers. Maybe now you will stop posting your stupid comments on the GT boards.
Tampa Gator
August 1st, 2011
1:29 pm
NCBulldawg….
Your post was inapproprate and incorrect…..In my opinion, Chip’s reporting of current Bulldog events, and his expression of his opinions and views on college football…..are consistent and excellent….and brings this Gator regularly to read them….in oder to remain informed about your program…..so as to know what this Gator can expect from the Dawgs in November. And….reporting on blog websites….is not grammar based……in order to be well done…..as it is with us who blog most days.
Tampa Gator
August 1st, 2011
1:32 pm
SEC Fact Finder….
Just read your second post…..well done and well written. You sure you aren’t a well-informed Gator grad? Stay informed….my friend.
righton
August 1st, 2011
1:44 pm
@ NCAA Gangster
on 7/30/11 at 3:33…..One of the better posts on this thread.You hit the nail on the head brother!
Flaubert
August 1st, 2011
1:59 pm
UGa not site of No.1 party any longer, but it is still in Athens!
Dostoyevskiy
August 1st, 2011
2:02 pm
Flaubert, are you suggesting there is possibly a shady coach in the Commomwealth? Surely Coach Beamer, who recruited the Vick bros., would not do anything untoward just because he is greedy.
Paul N Destin
August 1st, 2011
2:22 pm
Seems this thread got hijacked…………
Ramma Bama
August 1st, 2011
2:46 pm
More cheating for georgia and they still can’t win. Richt needs to call auburn and learn how to cheat and get big results like national titles. I’m glad Coach Saban can win and play by the rules.
Atlanta87
August 1st, 2011
2:54 pm
Right since Alabama NEVER, EVER cheats.
King Gator
August 1st, 2011
3:06 pm
At least he wasn’t “sexting” and part of the punishment requires CMR to “unfriend him” on FB. Go Gators!
RedandBlackDAWG
August 1st, 2011
3:31 pm
Blustery,
I am your warden and you will be assigned a number just as soon as you actually stick to one handle on these blogs.
RedandBlackDAWG
August 1st, 2011
3:40 pm
Tampa gator,
Why should I wait on anything. You folks that are fans from other teams, pitch all your negative crap about UGA from the get go. I am supporting my team, on a blog, concerning my team, and you spend hours on UGA blogs putting down the DAWGS along with fans of other schools. I am retired so I guess I could just go to other teams blogs and do the same thing, but I am better than that. I support my Dawgs and unless they are playing your team or other teams, I could care less about their problems, and I sure don’t feel a need to go onto their blogs and cut them down. It is a matter of respect, not only for one self but for other people as well. I was taught that at an early age and it has worked well for me in life. I very seldom have anything good to say about TECH. even but I try and refrain from giving them heck most of the time. I will defend my DAWGS till the end and if that bothers you and a lot of others, so be it. If you come on another teams blog, you should expect that teams fans to defend their team.
Atlanta87
August 1st, 2011
3:45 pm
Start a slow clap and gradually get louder and faster for @ RedandBlackDAWG’s speech.
Georgia Insta-toot of Hypocrisy
August 1st, 2011
4:13 pm
Brrriiiipppp!!!!! Man those Varsity chilidogs just go right through you!
If this had happened at the Insta-toot, we not only woulld have not reported it, we would have lied and denied it ever happened.
If we were questioned any more on it, Paul Johnson would have hit the NCAA guy in the nose.
Nobody cheats like we doo at the Insta-toot. And I mean old gold doo like a baby makes.
Georgia Insta-toot of Hypocrisy
August 1st, 2011
4:17 pm
Brrriiippp!!!!! Speaking of old gold poop, do you guys read Chip’s blog ever day?
I don’t either. Gotta go – time to flush.
Atlanta87
August 1st, 2011
4:19 pm
Haha????
DawginLex
August 1st, 2011
4:20 pm
We got off topic here obviously since we should be discussing how Mark richt is a sleazy slimeball who obviously cheats on his wife, his taxes and purposely sent those text messages that said nothing and immediately told the compliance office about it as a way to deflect from the fact that he really was cheating but it had been so long since he had done it he failed to know how and couldn’t do it properly so he turned himself in to make it seem like he is a crook since Auburn won the title with a bunch of crooks he figured he needed to do it too since none of his players have been arrested in 2011.
Tampa Gator
August 1st, 2011
4:40 pm
RedandBlackDawg
1. The waiting thing…was just a suggestion…..based on Georgia’s record from last year….and the performance in the bowl game…and all the SEC title and NC title bosting done by Dawg fans about this time last year….just saying…..
2. Concerning all the “negative crap”……about your Dawgs: FYI….I have been on here most of the summer saying how Georgia will contend for the SEC East this year….and I am actually picking them 2nd in the East, ahead right now of my beloved Gators (because I am not a believer in John Brantely anymore…even though I feel the Gators have more talent than the Dawgs)…..but behind South Carolina (because they have better coaching than Georgia….and probably more talent).
3. I do care about other programs and have high interest in reading about them….and reading blog posts about them…..because I want to be informed about other SEC teams. So, when the Gators play them, I know what to look for during games to peak my interest in watching the games. And I read the AJC sports page for over 20 years on a daily basis….while living and working in Atlanta….and just can’t break the habit….and don’t have a desire to do so.
4. I don’t feel this article was an attack on the Bulldog Nation…..but Richt does need to watch these secondary violations (as all coaches do)….as to avoid additional difficulty with the SEC commish and the NCAA…..both of which seem to be fed up with this type of activity from most NCAA coaches….not excluting those down in Gainesville. Most coaches are pushing the envelope with this stuff….and it might come back to bite them in the rear end soon. \
Have a nice rest of the day! I am going back to the beach for a swim. Actually, a drive to Honeymoon Island for a walk and a swim…..it is nice to be retired.
LONG TIME DAWG
August 1st, 2011
7:10 pm
Enter your comments here
RedandBlackDAWG
August 1st, 2011
7:28 pm
Tampa Gator,
This secondary violation was so stupid in the first place. A coach would text a blank message to a recruits father, and then report it? If you do not text any content in a message, how did he even commit a violation.
Your coach says that Brantley has improved a lot this year, according to an article I think was on AL.com or MrSEC.com. Who knows, he might be a lot better with Weiss coaching him.
For me, the water is good for fishing only. Never been that much interested in swimming. I was stationed at McDill for four years, and loved to get out and fish there when I had the time. Uncle Sam didn’t give us much time to do that though.
I get most of the information about other teams by reading about them from their local news sources as well. I just don’t comment though, since I believe their blogs are for their own fans.
And yes, retirement is real good. I have more now to do, than I ever did when I worked, except now it is things that are enjoyable, rather than work related.
DawgByte
August 1st, 2011
7:53 pm
All eyes are on the NCAA… will Auburn’s bag man who handed over the $200K to Cecil Newton come forwarded and testify?
NCBulldawg86
August 1st, 2011
8:04 pm
Hey, Tampa! Where did I fault Chip for reporting on the Georgia Bulldogs? I did not. I simply do not like the TMZ-style sensationalizing of “news” into headlines that scream one view, then upon reading of such, one realizes it really is a story of nothing,
If you were around last year, the Bulldogs gave plenty of fodder to the writers here at the ajc, and sure enough, they couldn’t keep from ragging on the Dawgs.
No, I do not expect the ajc, not Chip to be “rah-rah” Georgia beat writers, far from it, but, come on, read some of the headlines and relate the content of the story and tell me there isn’t often a disconnect.
Personally, obviously nothing against Chip as a person, but sometimes the headlines and the story reek of sensationalism and find it sad that it has come to this with a paper that once seemed to stand for so much more.
And to whoever suggested I don’t need to come here and click on these stories to read, you are so correct. But I sometimes desire to see if there is anymore stories out there on my beloved Bulldogs, as Camp is starting up this week and I find myself “Jonesing” for more to read as I eagerly await the start of College Football.
But I guess the bottom-line is you get what you pay for. Chip needs readers, as well as the other bloggers here, and hits = “good”, and guess he has learned that a headline is one way to generate interest, even if the content falls flat on its face. I have a differing level of want out of what I read, than what you desire, and find stories on this level to be much ado about nothing. But one would not know that from the sensationalism of Chip’s words.
I liken all this to that girl you might meet and pick. Dang, how hot she looked in that bar lighting, a few drinks in you, those pants fitting “oh so tight”, hair just right, and “man, what a chest”. But the reality is, you were drunk, the darkness of the bar hid her age and questionable lifestyle hidden under her makeup left on your pillow, the pants were actually bursting at the seams, the bra actually adding to a false reality and all because you were horny and she said hello back to you. I feel like Chip dresses the part sometimes in his writing, and feel cheated when I see the reality.
So, yeah, I guess UGASports will be my main source of information on the Dogs, as they are straight enough shooters for me, and certainly do not mind paying the subscription cost. A shame, as I really liked reading Lewis Grizzard on those Mondays after the games, and any and all articles recapping the Dogs and their games played, or hyping the games coming up. My what a difference a generation makes.
Cheers!