Alabama begins appeal of NCAA ruling

    TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - The University of Alabama has taken the
first step toward appealing a ruling by the NCAA that forced the
Crimson Tide football program to vacate 21 wins.
    The university said Thursday it has sent a notice of appeal to
the NCAA, but won’t contest other sanctions, including three years
of probation.
    The NCAA placed Alabama’s football program and 15 other sports
on probation after 201 athletes were found to have used their
scholarships to get free textbooks or other materials they weren’t
entitled to.
    That group included 22 “intentional wrongdoers,“ including
seven football players. They obtained more than $100 in supplies
for other students.
    Alabama is also appealing penalties vacating the individual
records of 15 student-athletes in men’s tennis and men’s and
women’s track.