ATHENS — Georgia football committed three secondary NCAA violations resulting in a self-imposed loss of 12 evaluation days, four official visits, a three-week prohibition of unofficial visits and a $10,000 fine.
The football violations were among four others committed by Georgia athletics, according to the Second Quarter NCAA Secondary Violations Summary. The reporting period covers July 1, 2019, through Dec. 31.
Discounted and free apparel
The most costly of the violations occurred between March of 2017 and January of 2019.
The compliance department report reflects that recruits “impermissibly received discounted or cost‐free institutional apparel on three occasions.”
The apparel violation led to Kirby Smart having to re-organize his recruiting staff. UGA also ceased recruiting all prospects at the high schools where the involved prospects attended. The players and schools were not named in the report.
Further, the report states that “the institution’s equipment operations will undergo an external review during the 2019‐20 academic year and a bi‐annual audit thereafter.”
Improper re-tweet
Another football violation involved a staff member re-tweeting and adding text a post about a student-athlete who had verbal committed. The report states the incident occurred on Aug. 26, 2019.
As a result, the involved staff member — not named in the report — was not allowed telephone contact with the recruit for 14 calendar days. Georgia was also prohibited from sending recruiting materials or electronic transmissions for 30 calendar days.
Improper endorsement
The third and final football violation in the report involved a Georgia player being pictured on the social media account of a commercial entity wearing their products on Oct 30, 2019.
The report states that the unnamed player granted permission for the photo to be used “without knowing how the photo would be used.” The photo was removed the same day it was posted. The football team was provided rules education on the matter.
Basketball violation
The men’s basketball team had a violation, as well. It occurred on Oct. 22 when staff members “posted a workout video that included student‐athlete images to social media and impermissibly tagged a commercial entity.” The post was subsequently taken down.
Men’s tennis violation
A men’s tennis player took part in two team practices before signing a required NCAA drug testing consent form.
Track
A recruit received an “impermissible” decorated bag that had snacks (permissible) in it while on an official visit.
Women’s soccer
A Georgia soccer staff member gave recruits recruiting material in “an impermissible bound format” during their official visits.
