An NCAA investigation of reported rules violations in the Alabama State University football program has stalled because the university has failed to cooperate with NCAA officials, an association spokesman told the Montgomery Advertiser.

The NCAA’s unusual step of commenting publicly on the case at this stage came in response to an Alabama State alumni group that criticized the NCAA for dragging its feet in the case.

The university reported several violations in August 2003, after an eight-month investigation that led to the firing of its head football coach. Nearly three years later, the NCAA has still not issued a letter of inquiry in the case, the newspaper reported. Alabama State released a statement on Saturday saying that it had cooperated with the NCAA.

This is certainly not the first time the NCAA has been criticized for its infractions process (The Chronicle, November 11, 2005).

Two weeks ago an independent law firm issued a report suggesting more than 50 changes in the NCAA’s enforcement, hearing, and appeals processes (The Chronicle, June 13).