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Monday, March 14, 2011

Isaiah Crowell visit results in UGA reporting secondary violation, penalties for Richt

The "missing man" formation that Georgia used during Isaiah Crowell's January official visit may have helped influence the highly-ranked tailback recruit to pick the Bulldogs. But it has also resulted in Georgia reporting an NCAA violation, Crowell being temporarily ruled ineligible and head coach Mark Richt being penalized during the April recruiting period.

Crowell, who attends Columbus Carver High School, has since been reinstated by the NCAA, according to UGA.

In a letter sent to the NCAA, Georgia reported that an "interpretation" from the SEC office ruled it to be a violation.

UGA also reported that Richt received a “letter of admonishment” and will be prohibited from speaking by telephone to recruits or families during the April 2011 evaluation period.

The SEC's interpretation was the "missing man" formation was an improper gameday simulation, which is prohibited by NCAA rules. UGA asked that once Crowell was reinstated that the letter be forwarded to the NCAA's director of secondary infractions, an indication it believes this will only be ruled a secondary violation.

The event took place on Sunday, Jan. 23, the final day of Crowell’s visit. Richt and his staff arranged for the team’s offensive lineman, receivers, fullback and quarterback to gather during Crowell’s exit meeting in the indoor facility. The current players were dressed in gameday jerseys and looked up to Richt’s office, which overlooked the practice field.

At that point Richt, Crowell and his family left the office and went down to the field. By the time they arrived there, according to the letter, “the team was in an offensive alignment without a running back.” Crowell was then handed a jersey and stood in the vacant running back position.

“Coach Richt reported that the idea was to create a feeling for the PSA (prospective student athlete) that he was needed at the running back position that was left empty by the team,” the letter reads, adding that Richt was aware off the gameday simulation rule, but did not believe it applied in this case.

“The Compliance Office has interviewed the PSA’s family and coach Richt regarding the activity,” the letter goes on to state. “UGA does not believe that a recruiting advantage was gained as the PSA’s mother has stated that her son knew he was going to attend UGA since he was a young child. Further, the PSA did not know it was impermissible to participate in the alignment. Coach Richt knew that the activity could not occur in the stadium for the public to view, equipment to be used or for an actual play to be run and did not believe this constituted a game day simulation.”

You can read the letter in its entirety at this link.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG, you must be joking. They should've just offered to pay his father, that seems to go unpunished.

Anonymous said...

Good thing Momma didn't tell Isaiah to step aside and then ask for 200 Grand.

Oh wait, that's not a problem.

UGA69Dawg said...

Does the old saying the SEC can swallow a camel but choke on a nat ring a bell. I guess UGA is just not on the good side of anybody any more.

Anonymous said...

You mean a gnat?

Anonymous said...

lame...lame...LAME!

Anonymous said...

You have to be freaking kidding. The NCAA rule book is so messed up.

Anonymous said...

It was worth it.

- Tom

heyberto said...

I'm with Tom, totally worth it. I doubt this can result in wins being vacated, and it seems the punishment is not too big a deal. Kudos to Richt for looking for the occasional loophole. God knows his competitors think nothing of it.

Will said...

I remember thinking at the time that it might be a secondary violation because it reminded me of when Kiffin and Co. got a secondary violation notice for simulating a gameday atmosphere with smoke machines and other stuff. Still, like Tom and heyberto said, it was totally worth it.

Anonymous said...

I guess the better question I have is: Can anyone explain to me why this rule is in the book? I mean, so long as they don't run full contact drills with a recruit, what does it matter if the team pulls a stunt like this?

Unknown said...

My only question is: When does the NCAA intend to begin tax collection of the peasants?

brew said...

Seth,

What is your personal take on this news?

brew said...

Seth,

What is your personal take on this news?

Ginny said...

It's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission.

Anonymous said...

cROWELL WILL SERVE A MINIMUM 4 GAME SUSPENSION FOR THIS.

Anonymous said...

This is a TRAVESTY!!! Mark Richt is taking this program to the dogs.

Anonymous said...

Mike Leach

Anonymous said...

Bob Knight wouldn't have done thi...

Oh, sorry, trolling the wrong UGA sport

Jake said...

If Richt had not made Crowell the chosen one, this would not have happened. Let him earn his spot in the backfield. The "Dream Team" bs is already backfiring.

Anonymous said...

Jake is an idiot.

Anonymous said...

Like Fran Tarkenton said; UGA is in BIG BIG trouble.

Anonymous said...

Yea Jake is an idiot

Anonymous said...

I guess the NCAA is just pissed that we got some good recruits. First Drew, now Crowell. SUCK ON IT NCAA!
Maybe we should offer tattoos and have our HC lie and then have the PSA say that he knew nothing!!!

Jake said...

Funny how you guys were calling for Richt's head after the bowl game, but now you've swallowed his "Dream Team" propaganda hook, line, and sinker. Victories are won on the field in tough games by players who have earned their starting jobs. I'm just not buying into the hype until I see results. Guess that makes me an idiot.

Joeski said...

Actually, Jake, I wasn't calling for Richt's head after bowl game... and I'm not buying any propaganda.

But I still believe in the team, and I think that, yes, this was a very good recruiting class.

So yes, you ARE an idiot, for criticizing the dream-team 'bs' when... oh hey! IT WORKED-- we got all the top players in Georgia! Or, you know, claim that a single secondary violation on a rather nit-picking NCAA rule is 'backfiring'...

Doofus.

Anonymous said...

Preach it Joeski

Ginny said...

Joeski: 1
Jake: 0

Anonymous said...

Dont worry Jake becuase these namby pamby fans keep wearing their rose colored glasses and drinking the kool aid. Richt is the worlds top choke artist when it comes to crunch time.


Dream Team? It is just what it is a dream. These guys havent played a damn down of collge football and people are already claiming they will be world beaters. Richt has wasted top talent in the past but thes big oafs like Joeski cant see it because of all the manufactured hype.

Anonymous said...

Hey tool - it's mamby with an "m".

Anonymous said...

MY bad typo "M". Now let the truth soak in your pea brain.

Anonymous said...

Ah the truth - GT has reached its zenith in all things athletic.

BicDawg said...

I would think any good coach would be in the heads of his current players telling them that the new recruit would be taking their spots to psych them out. I mean thats the way it was for me in Junior High School. Thats what football is all about. And coaches tell recruits all kinds of things to win them over. most of which usually isnt true. Why should Crowell be any different? I guarantee Crowell will have to earn it this summer if he is to be the man. Why Anon 9:28 is impressed with our current TBs is beyond me. Who has the rose color glasses?

Jake said...

The "Dream Team" hype reminds me of the 2008 preseason #1 hype. How did that work out?