Alabama will appeal NCAA ruling

Published 4:15 pm Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The University of Alabama plans to appeal a ruling by the NCAA Committee on Infractions that forced the football program to vacate 21 wins.

University President Robert Witt announced the decision on Wednesday. Witt said the university was disappointed with what he deemed “the excessiveness” of the penalties.

Alabama’s football program and 15 other sports were placed on three years probation after 201 athletes were found to have used their scholarships to get free textbooks for other students.

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The football program had to vacate 21 wins involving any of seven players who were involved in the violations, including the 2006 Cotton Bowl victory over Texas Tech.

The university has until June 26 to file the appeal.