MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Alabama State University has received the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions' public infractions decision classifying its case as Level I-Mitigated. ASU accepts the decision and recognizes the panel for its consideration of the record. The Committee prescribed the minimum financial penalty of $30,000 plus one percent of the football program budget and three years of probation.
"The Committee's reduction confirms what we have maintained from the outset — this case was improperly elevated," said Alabama State University Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Jason Cable "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.
ASU agreed that a former Sports Information Director altered one student-athlete's competition statistics during the 2019 season on the institution's athletics website, allegedly at the direction of the former head football coach. The matter involved the conduct of a single employee and did not involve any allegation of a lack of institutional control or failure to monitor.
"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 non-participation in this matter," said President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr."
Equally concerning is the clear inconsistency in how this case was treated compared to similarly situated institutions. The University of Arizona, the institution responsible for certifying the student-athlete's eligibility, and the entity that received the competitive benefit was issued a Level III violation and a $500 fine. In contrast, Alabama State University, which neither certified the student-athlete nor received any competitive advantage, was assigned a Level I violation.
"This outcome reflects a significant disparity," said Ross. The certifying institution received a minor infraction, while Alabama State was assigned one of the NCAA's most serious classifications. We believe the standards should be applied consistently across all institutions, and this case underscores the importance of fairness and accountability throughout the NCAA governance process.
I want to thank our Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and ASU's General Counsel for their dedication and diligence in helping secure a reduction to what could have been far more detrimental penalties for our athletics program. As part of its effort to resolve this matter expediently using a summary disposition agreement, ASU accepted responsibility for what occurred based on the facts as understood by the University at the time. Following a contested hearing, the Committee concluded that the evidentiary record was insufficient to hold the former head coach personally responsible for directing the alteration, and ASU respects that determination. The University's acceptance of institutional responsibility rests on the conduct of its employee, not on any finding regarding the former coach, and reflects ASU's continued commitment to accountability and full NCAA compliance."
ASU has already implemented comprehensive corrective actions — revised statistical-reporting protocols, enhanced audit procedures, post-game review procedures, and compliance education programs. Those measures will continue.
Alabama State University does not intend to appeal this decision. The institution is ready to begin its probationary period, fulfill all associated obligations, and direct its full energy to its student-athletes, its programs, and its future.
