Alabama Hoops Avoids Sanctions

Alabama was spared NCAA sanctions Tuesday regarding accusations that a former assistant basketball coach tried to create a slush fund for recruits.

However, the governing body of college sports said if Alabama commits any violations in the next five years it could face severe penalties.

The accusastions concerned former assistant Tyrone Beaman. The NCAA said if any school wishes to hire him in the next four years, it must get clearance from its infractions committee. The NCAA also could limit his duties at the new school.

Beaman was accused of seeking $5,000 from prominent boosters last year to illegally recruit two top prospects from Houston.

The boosters, Montgomery lawyers Charles Stakely and Truman Hobbs Jr., reported the request to the university. The school, in turn, notified the NCAA.

Beaman, who was suspended for a time, denied wrongdoing and said then-head coach David Hobbs had nothing to do with any potential rules violations. Hobbs and his entire staff were fired after last season.

Alabama's new coach, Mark Gottfried, had nothing to do with the case.

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