The University of Alabama self-reported 16 minor infractions to the NCAA for the 2018-19 athletic year. The yearly report was posted on the school’s website Friday afternoon.
Ten of the Level III violations involved recruiting (Bylaw 13), which deals with impermissible electronic communication with prospective student-athletes. Just one incident involved improper benefits (Bylaw 16).
Level III infractions (Breach of conduct) involved isolated or limited incidents. Level IV (Incidental issues) instances are inadvertent and isolated and generally don’t affect an athlete’s eligibility, according to the NCAA website.
Men’s basketball and women’s rowing had the most minor violations with three each. For basketball, some athletes got “pregame access to sideline and access to special seating area during (a) home football contest.” That resulted in the athletes being ineligible until restitution was made for the extra benefits.
Also for men’s basketball, five recruits “were provided personalized desserts during official visits,” which resulted in the number of recruiting days allowed by UA reduced from 130 to 120 (two for each athlete). The athletes were declared ineligible and later reinstated.
The third men’s basketball violation was for not sending the Southeastern Conference office the name of a new hire for compliance background review. The penalty was rules education for the staff.
Football had just two violations, both involving an assistant coach having contact with recruits outside the proper time period. One instance resulted in the whole staff not being allowed contact with the recruit for two weeks. The other instance resulted in the assistant denied involvement in off-campus recruiting for 30 days.
Football had just one violation from 2018.
Gymnastics had two violations for improper text messages to recruits.
Women’s tennis was fined $500 after a coach had contact with a recruit who signed with another school.
Women’s soccer had two infractions for contact with recruits via email or text outside the permissible date.
