Alabama A&M Waiver Keeps Football Eligible in Basketball Penalties Case
Alabama A&M said its football program is not under a postseason ban after basketball penalties and APR problems were sorted through a waiver, even though NCAA database information had shown postseason ineligibility, practice restrictions and a Level Two penalty tied to a multi-year APR of 897. The school said football remains fully eligible for postseason opportunities.
Alabama A&M Football Waiver
The university said it filed for a waiver tied to the football postseason penalty, and that waiver was approved. “Alabama A&M University football is not under a postseason ban,” the school said, adding, “Alabama A&M filed for a waiver and the waiver was approved as such we will NOT have a postseason ban.”
That leaves football in a different position from the one listed in the NCAA database. Alabama A&M said the postseason ineligibility no longer applies, even though the program is still operating under practice limitations. The school said those limitations are being addressed proactively and in full alignment with NCAA guidelines.
Dr. Paul A. Bryant On Basketball
The men’s basketball program did not get the same outcome. Alabama A&M said it will be subject to a postseason ban because of NCAA APR penalties, and Dr. Paul A. Bryant said, “This is not the standard we expect for Alabama A&M University.”
APR stands for Academic Progress Rate, and the school said the issues behind the men’s basketball penalty came from multiple years of academic oversight and student-athlete retention challenges under previous leadership. Bryant said the result does not meet the school’s standard, while men’s basketball coach Donte Jackson said, “We’re obviously disappointed for our student-athletes, because they’ve been working hard and deserve the opportunity to compete in the postseason.”
Jackson And The Next Step
Alabama A&M said it will continue working with the NCAA to restore postseason eligibility for men’s basketball. For now, the split outcome is clear: football keeps postseason access after the waiver, while men’s basketball is facing the ban that came with the APR penalties.
