The University of Alabama formally asked the NCAA to restore 21 vacated wins to the football program in a 29-page appeal on Tuesday.

The appeal said the penalty was so excessive as to constitute an abuse of discretion.

The Committee on Infractions levied the penalty stemming from 201 student-athletes in 16 sports obtaining textbooks they werent entitled to under their scholarships.

The appeal also argued that the penalties in football and mens tennis and womens track were a departure from precedent in similar cases and in vacating wins.

The violators included 22 intentional wrongdoers – among them seven football players – who obtained more than $100 in supplies for other students.

The university noted that those 22 athletes were suspended and had to seek reinstatement from the NCAA to compete again, and that all the students with eligibility remaining were required to pay restitution for the books and materials.

Alabama also contested penalties vacating the records of 15 athletes in mens tennis and womens track.

The appeal weve filed is consistent with the feelings that we shared in our statements following the original ruling, athletic director Mal Moore said in a statement. I think it reflects valid points we felt needed to be expanded upon and Im hopeful that the Committee will consider the appeal fairly and with care.

Alabama, which self-reported the violations, cited its cooperation and said none of the student-athletes profited and that they intended to take advantage of the university and its bookstore not to violate NCAA rules.

The NCAAs sanctions did not include scholarship losses or postseason bans.

Among the universitys arguments were that the Committee on Infractions arbitrarily, capriciously and irrationally departs from the penalties imposed in prior textbook, vacation-of-wins and other cases. The appeal also noted that there were no coaches or administrators involved.

Alabamas appeal cited four major infractions cases involving violations of the textbook rule, all since 2005. The schools – Ball State, Temple, Weber State and Texas State – did not have wins vacated.

All but Temple were cited for lack of institutional control. Alabama was found guilty of the lesser violation of failure to monitor.

Posted on July 29th, 2009 by admin
Filed under: College football news, NCAA college football