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发帖数: 764 | 1 http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ap-georgia-ncaa
ATHENS, Ga. (AP)—Georgia acknowledged breaking NCAA rules in its
recruitment of linebacker Ray Drew.
The school sent a letter to the Southeastern Conference saying that two
former football players attended a Jan. 28 news conference in which Drew
announced his commitment to Georgia, a violation of five NCAA bylaws
relating to illegal contract before signing a letter-of-intent.
While the ex-players aren’t named in the letter, the Atlanta Journal-
Constitution and other news outlets reported and photographed Randall
Godfrey and David Pollack attending Drew’s news conference at Thomas County
Central High School.
“UGA became aware of the issue shortly after the decision was announced and
articles of the decision with pictures of the announcement were posted on
the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s website,” athletic director Greg
McGarity wrote in the letter. “Immediately after viewing the article, UGA
began to investigate the potential violation.”
Drew signed with the Bulldogs the next week. The self-reported violations
will likely be considered minor and handled by the conference.
Georgia spokesman Claude Felton said the school had no additional comment on
the violations.
The 6-foot-5, 243-pound Drew was part of Georgia’s highly rated signing
class, which has bolstered hopes for a program coming off its first losing
season since 1996. He is expected to make an impact at outside linebacker in
defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s 3-4 scheme.
According to McGarity’s letter, one of Drew’s high school teachers
arranged for the two ex-players to attend the announcement “without the
knowledge of the UGA’s football staff.” The AD said neither former player
knew they were violating NCAA rules, either.
“It should also be noted that (Drew) invited the UGA coaching staff to
attend the announcement; however, the staff told (Drew) they were unable to
attend because NCAA rules precluded them from doing so,” McGarity wrote. “
Further, the coaching staff was unaware (Drew) invited the two former letter
winners, nor did they ask who was invited since they could not attend the
announcement.”
McGarity said the school has been “very proactive” in educating season-
ticket holders and boosters on NCAA rules, but this case exposed a gap in
Georgia’s efforts. A letter has been sent to all former letter winners,
especially football players, detailing what is allowed in the recruiting
process. Also, the two who attended Drew’s announcement have been told not
to participate in any similar activities and to check with the school’s
compliance office before any interaction with a prospective signee.
“UGA regrets that this incident occurred but believes this was an isolated/
one-time incident with some unusual and atypical circumstances,” McGarity
wrote. |
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