Alabama State football receives mitigated Level I ruling in NCAA infractions case

The NCAA issued its final ruling on an infractions case involving Alabama State football .

Originally an aggravated Level 1 infraction, the NCAA reduced it a mitigated Level 1 infraction , meaning the NCAA still thinks its a major violation, but there were enough factors to lessen the seriousness.

“The Committee’s reduction confirms what we have maintained from the outset — this case was improperly elevated,” Alabama State athletic director Jason Cable said in a press release put out by the university.

“The underlying conduct, tied to the former Sports Information Director and head coach, simply does not justify placement among the most severe cases in collegiate athletics. While we recognize the adjustment, we firmly believe the record supports a further reduction."

The case centered on a former sports information director who changed the statistics of one football player on Alabama State's athletics website during the 2019 season. The NCAA alleged those changes were made at the direction of the former head football coach, though that allegation ultimately wasn't proven.

The penalties the NCAA is imposing on Alabama State is a $30,000 fine, plus one percent of the football program's budget. The university will also be on probation for three years.

Although probation doesn't mean games are canceled. It generally means the school has additional reporting requirements and increased NCAA oversight while remaining eligible to compete.

Alabama State acknowledged that the former sports information director did alter the statistics, but argues it shouldn't be a Level 1 case.

"While today’s decision is a downgrade from the Level I aggravated classification, we still believe that the scope of penalty does not reflect the university involvement or nonparticipation in this matter," Alabama State president Quinton Ross Jr. said.

The university points back to a similar situation in where the University of Arizona certified a player's eligibility and allegedly benefited competitively from the player's eligibility. The NCAA only handed down a Level III violation and a $500 dollar fine.

Alabama State does not intend to appeal the decision.

Jaeden Day covers high school sports, Alabama State football and Auburn recruiting for the Montgomery Advertiser/USA Today. You can find him on X at dayjaeden12 , or reach him at [email protected] .

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama State football receives mitigated Level I ruling in NCAA infractions case

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