UGA has to report NCAA secondary violation due to comments on Harvey-Clemons
ATHENS — Georgia will have to report an NCAA secondary violation regarding its recruitment of Josh Harvey-Clemons. But as far as secondary violations go, they don’t get much more secondary than this one.
Jim Booz, UGA’s senior associate athletic director for compliance, confirmed to The AJC Thursday that coach Mark Richt ran afoul of NCAA bylaws when he commented on Harvey-Clemons shortly after the highly-touted prospect announced on national television his decision to sign with the Bulldogs on Wednesday. Harvey-Clemons’ signing ceremony at Lowndes High School in Valdosta was televised live by ESPN and the sports network also had a reporter and camera crew with Georgia coaches in Athens.
Shortly after Harvey-Clemons made his announcement in Valdosta, ESPN reporter Cara Capuano asked Richt for his reaction and for his thoughts on prospect’s athletic abilities. Turns out that violates NCAA bylaw 13.10.2, which states that no one from a member institution can comment on a prospective student-athlete until his or her signed letter-of-intent has been received. As has been well-documented now, Harvey-Clemons’ letter-of-intent was not received by UGA until Thursday morning.
“It is something we’re having to deal with,” Booz said. “It’s not a significant issue. It’s not one that’s going to impact any of the individuals involved. It’s going to be considered a Level II secondary violation. Because of how everything transpired yesterday — it was a very, very odd and very unique situation — it just kind of caught everybody off guard.”
Booz said Athletic Director Greg McGarity will send a letter to the Southeastern Conference informing them of the mistake. But he said was highly unlikely any enforcement would result.
“In my opinion there was certainly no advantage gained by any stretch from what transpired yesterday,” said Booz, who came to UGA from Virginia last month. “It is a violation of a technical nature. But the way we’re going to operate is, if something creeps up, even something like this, we’re going to comply and report violations to the SEC if necessary and do it the right way. It’s just one of those things.”
Richt was in Louisville Thursday to attend the Paul Hornung Award banquet honoring 2012 recipient for Georgia senior cornerback Brandon Boykin and could not be reached for comment.
For what it’s worth, here’s how the NCAA bylaw reads:
NCAA Bylaw 13.10.2: Comments Before Signing.
Before the signing of a prospective student-athlete to a National Letter of Intent or an institution’s written offer of admission and/or financial aid, a member institution may comment publicly only to the extent of confirming its recruitment of the prospective student-athlete. The institution may not comment generally about the prospective student-athlete’s ability or the contribution that the prospective student-athlete might make to the institution’s team; further, the institution is precluded from commenting in any manner as to the likelihood of the prospective student-athlete’s signing with that institution. Violations of this bylaw do not affect a prospective student-athlete’s eligibility and are considered institutional violations per Constitution 2.8.1.
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288 comments Add your comment
TDF
February 2nd, 2012
4:43 pm
Red Pants
February 2nd, 2012
4:29 pm
Winning the SEC and making it there is a huge deal, if you dont feel that way something is wrong with you.
Garbage DC is an excuse?? its what happened you idiot. CWM squandered the 08 season and was nothing but a plague to our team. If you cant see that as a legitimate reason you need to find another sport bc apparently you forgot defense wins championships.
We arent even trying to be like LSU and Bama, they oversign to stack their teams, we will never do that. We will reach the MNCG soon and we will have done it the right way, if you dont like it then go find another team.
Verne Lundquist
February 2nd, 2012
4:44 pm
@ GTBob
So does Arkansas have a terrible offense? Georgia doesn’t have a terrible offense at all. And let’s not go there about terrible offenses. Maybe we should runt he triple-option?
TDF
February 2nd, 2012
4:44 pm
GTBob
February 2nd, 2012
4:32 pm
Willie Martinez next try loser
everyday
February 2nd, 2012
4:44 pm
“No they don’t. SEC fans really need to quit saying this over and over again in an attempt to excuse their terrible offenses.”
I didnt realize the last 6 national champions were looking for an excuse.
Red Pants
February 2nd, 2012
4:45 pm
GTBob,
Again, newbie here, but isn’t this a UGA blog? Why are you here? Tech fans still show their face?….well I guess screen name in this case.
The joke that never gets old: “What do UGA and Tech fans have in common? They’re both obsessed with the Dawgs.”
TDone
February 2nd, 2012
4:46 pm
If the Muttlanders are so good, they should have petitiioned the SEC hierarchy to have LSU, Alabama, and Arkansas on their 2012 instead of pontificating about how great it is not to play them. Though I would have to see Muttland win a BCS Championship, they have a good chance to do so with such a weak schedule. I mean they best team you will play will be Georgia Tech.
Sort of reminds me of 1980…
TDF
February 2nd, 2012
4:46 pm
GTBob
February 2nd, 2012
4:42 pm
hahahahahahahahaha really then tell that to the 2 teams that played for the title this year you clown.
Terrible offenses?? wow that doesnt even need a response bc everyone knows thats the biggest pile of BS
13-1
February 2nd, 2012
4:47 pm
He broke every part of that by-law.
Every word of it.
TDF
February 2nd, 2012
4:47 pm
13-1
February 2nd, 2012
4:42 pm
Most positive UGA comment I have ever seen come from you.
RopeDawg
February 2nd, 2012
4:48 pm
GTBob… we wouldn’t be forced to point out the COMPLETE DOMINATION UGA has enjoyed over GT for the last decade, if guys like you didn’t waste all your time trolling on these blogs.
Oh yeah… 10/11 and we run this state.
Verne Lundquist
February 2nd, 2012
4:48 pm
GTBob says the SEC has terrible offenses….ask Arkansas or UGA about that. I wouldn’t call Alabama or LSU a “terrible” offense either. Both have outstanding running games and that’s all the offense you need in the SEC.
Like I said, maybe we should run the triple-option?
NiquePhotog
February 2nd, 2012
4:49 pm
I think you got it wrong, Red Pants…
“What do UGA and Tech fans have in common? Neither attended UGA.”
DawginLex
February 2nd, 2012
4:50 pm
GTBob
That is THE dumbest thing(among many dumb posts) that you have ever written.
LSU, Florida and Bama all had lights out defenses and electric offenses. Auburn’s offense was actually better than any of them but the defense made the plays versus Oregon.
Pay attention and you might learn something
TDF
February 2nd, 2012
4:50 pm
TDone
February 2nd, 2012
4:46 pm
Tell that to USC jr, Mizzuo, Florida, Auburn and see how hard you get laughed out of the room. Tech is the reason why our ppl see our schedule as easy!!
GTBob
February 2nd, 2012
4:50 pm
I didnt realize the last 6 national champions were looking for an excuse.
Yes, Auburn had an amazing defense two years ago. They shut down everyone.
NiquePhotog
February 2nd, 2012
4:51 pm
Verne,
UGA has shown that they CAN have a terrible offense (Kentucky, Vandy) and CAN have a great offense (Auburn, NMSU) all in the same season
TDF
February 2nd, 2012
4:51 pm
NiquePhotog
February 2nd, 2012
4:49 pm
Really then why did i graduate from there and a fan? Same for my brother, same for my dad, same for the group of 15 we tailgate with, same for the majority of those in the stadium on staurdays.
Not even close to clever.
GTBob
February 2nd, 2012
4:52 pm
The super bowl is going to be between two of the worst defensive teams in the league. The best defensive team couldn’t even beat Tebow.
RopeDawg
February 2nd, 2012
4:52 pm
TBone… really? GT is far from the best team on UGA’s schedule next year. I’m confident GT would lose to UF, USCe, UT, Auburn. Hell… even Mizzou, Vandy, and Miss State would give GT issues. Give me a break…
13-1
February 2nd, 2012
4:53 pm
TDone is a good name for one of the Georgia tek fans, both of their fans should use it. Done before the season starts. Done in by the # 54 recruiting rankings. While we are # 13, Georgia tek is # 58
http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=9&c=14&yr=2012
Hey, TDone, sir, we DO PLAY LSU. Alabama. Arkansas. Whichever one is the best team in The SEC West, we play the very best of the best. And, then we play in a BCS Bowl Game, hopefully again against a team in The Top 6, which is where we start the season.
Where does Georgia tek start # 54, again ?
Verne Lundquist
February 2nd, 2012
4:53 pm
Georgia Tech would not beat a single team in the SEC. That’s a fact.
NiquePhotog
February 2nd, 2012
4:53 pm
I’m pretty sure Buffalo, Florida Atlantic, Vandy, Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Southern all bring UGA’s strength of schedule down more than GT does.
GTBob
February 2nd, 2012
4:53 pm
Auburn’s offense was actually better than any of them but the defense made the plays versus Oregon.
Auburn was awful defensively.
Poor Techie
February 2nd, 2012
4:54 pm
But…but…but….we beat you in 08! Can’t I just celebrate that?!! PLEASSEEE
13-1
February 2nd, 2012
4:54 pm
Auburn had a rushing defense 2 years ago, too bad for Oregon all they do is run.
Poor Techie
February 2nd, 2012
4:55 pm
Hey GTBob…shut up man, your making the rest of us look desperate for attention.
Auburn shut down LaMichael James and Oregon’s fast paced offense in the 2010 National Title game. That’s not awful defense.
TDF
February 2nd, 2012
4:55 pm
NiquePhotog
February 2nd, 2012
4:53 pm
Not even close. You can count GT as the best of the WORST. All SEC games then tech, then OOC
Red Pants
February 2nd, 2012
4:55 pm
TDF
Why so angry? Name calling from a keyboard….bold move.
Anyway, yes, using the DC as an excuse is just that, and excuse. Teams that win championships don’t make the mistake of bringing a Willie Martinez on board and then keep him around after he’s proven he can’t get the job done. It’s representative of a pattern of poor decision making.
As for picking a new team, considering I actually attended and graduated from UGA, I would never do that. But maybe I should leave the blog, seems like it is just an outlet for t-shirt fans anyway….
GTBob
February 2nd, 2012
4:56 pm
Georgia Tech would not beat a single team in the SEC. That’s a fact.
One, its not a fact. You should look up what a fact is. Two, i’m pretty sure I could get 10 of my friends together and we could beat Ole Miss.
Poor Techie
February 2nd, 2012
4:56 pm
Georgia Tech is the 5th best team in this state
1) Georgia
2) Georgia Southern
3) Georgia State
4) Tucker
5) Georgia Tech
13-1
February 2nd, 2012
4:57 pm
Valdosta State would beat them too.
West Georgia
PR
February 2nd, 2012
4:57 pm
GTBob has lost all credibility. So Auburn’s 2010 Defense was “Awful” yet they went undefeated, and shut down Oregon in the BCS game. Wasn’t that the same Oregon team that was putting up like 500 yards of offense a game before that?
“C’Mon Man” – Chris Carter
NiquePhotog
February 2nd, 2012
4:57 pm
TDF – it was a joke, meaning a stereotype, not a fact.
Don’t tell me >30% of sanford stadium isn’t filled up with people who have not association with UGA. Heck, from personal experience, the student section has tons of Gainesville state and Piedmont college students helping fill it up.
GTBob
February 2nd, 2012
4:57 pm
Auburn shut down LaMichael James and Oregon’s fast paced offense in the 2010 National Title game. That’s not awful defense.
Its called time off favoring the defense. Oregon held Auburn to their second lowest point total of the season. Was Oregon’s defense that year really better then Alabama?
13-1
February 2nd, 2012
4:59 pm
Rivals has us at # 11, Georgia tek – well, they cut it off at # 50 and Georgia tek is # 58 in Scout.com, while we are # 13.
That is the topic of the day, this day after Recruiting Signing Day.
Of course, Georgia tek fans didn’t get to have a recruiting class because they are on
NCAA PROBATION
back-to-back REPEAT VIOLATION
FOOTBALL
NiquePhotog
February 2nd, 2012
5:00 pm
Poor Techie,
Correct me if I’m wrong, but both GT and Southern have more national championships than UGA….
LoL
February 2nd, 2012
5:01 pm
^^^^ CLUELESS, BITTER NERD ^^^^
Verne Lundquist
February 2nd, 2012
5:01 pm
@ Nique, since when was Georgia Southern part of Div I football?
GTBob
February 2nd, 2012
5:01 pm
So Auburn’s 2010 Defense was “Awful” yet they went undefeated,
They were also ranked 60th in total defense, 53rd in scoring defense, and they gave up 24 points to a bad FCS team.
Verne Lundquist
February 2nd, 2012
5:03 pm
GTBob….why does GT always lose to UGA?
NiquePhotog
February 2nd, 2012
5:03 pm
Don’t put words in my mouth. A national championship is a national championship. Obviously one is more important than the other, but both are impressive and better than none.
13-1
February 2nd, 2012
5:04 pm
Auburn the year before last, Won 7 games against teams who finished up in the AP Poll Top 25.
7
They gave up in those 7 games 14 points twice, 17 points, twice, and 19 points in the BCS National Championship Game.
Pardon me.
GTBob
February 2nd, 2012
5:04 pm
GTBob….why does GT always lose to UGA?
Because UGA gets 20-30 times more talent.
Red Pants
February 2nd, 2012
5:05 pm
GTBob,
Does it really matter where Auburn’s D was ranked? They won a national title and went undefeated, what more do you want? The logic being displayed on this board is astonishing….
Should Earn It
February 2nd, 2012
5:05 pm
Well iculd have been “red panties!!!!”
GTBob
February 2nd, 2012
5:07 pm
They gave up in those 7 games 14 points twice, 17 points, twice, and 19 points in the BCS National Championship Game.
That should tell you how bad SEC offenses are. Arkansas St scored 26 against them and Chattanooga scored 24 against them.
NiquePhotog
February 2nd, 2012
5:07 pm
Verne,
UGA is better than GT at football and has been for the past 30-40 years.
That’s very fitting and best for everyone because football is what’s most important to dwag fans.
GT, on the other hand, gets to hang their hat on academics, baseball, and basketball.
In my mind it’s best that way.
Impartial observer
February 2nd, 2012
5:07 pm
I for one will relish in the fact that Uga (funny that iPad tried to change that to UVA!) will once again start high and find a way to fall to insignificance.
FYI, Uga people, call up your Vandy friends to get a definition of insignificance!
NERD ALERT
February 2nd, 2012
5:07 pm
This is a chicken vs egg situation, because UGA gets 20-30 times more talent because they always beat GTrek. What in state kid dreams of going to a capmus with a majority of males, hideous girls, daily muggings? Perhaps they feel at home playing in front of a high school like crowd, but that’s about it.
GTBob
February 2nd, 2012
5:07 pm
Does it really matter where Auburn’s D was ranked? They won a national title and went undefeated
The whole argument started because of the false claim that defense wins championships which in Auburn’s case was far from the truth.