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May 14, 2008 2:39 pm US/Eastern
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Alabama School Charged With 668 NCAA Violations
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (CBS4) ―
The state of Alabama has seen it's fair share of problems with college athletics. Both major universities in the state, Alabama and Auburn, have had their football programs put on NCAA probation for various rules violations. But, Division I-AA Alabama State has topped both schools after the NCAA charged the school with 668 rules violations.
The Hornets also received the dreaded charge of lack of institutional control. That final charge may be the precursor to what is known as the "NCAA death penalty."
The NCAA has only hit one school in modern history with the death penalty, SMU. The Mustangs were found guilty of helping boosters pay 21 football players around $61,000 in the mid-1980's. The team lost two complete seasons, lost 55 scholarships over four years, was banned from bowl games until 1991 and lost four coaching positions. SMU has still never recovered from the penalties.
Over 500 of the 668 violations Alabama State stands accused of came from ineligible football players being allowed to work out with the team in the offseason. Forty players had grades changed without the knowledge of the instructors.
The NCAA investigated the school for five years before leveling the charges.
Alabama State has refused comment on the violations, but did indicate the school would respond to the charges by June 27.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)