Ole Miss is back on defense, waiting for the NCAA to respond.
The university published its appeal of the recent NCAA Committee on Infractions decision on the school’s website Wednesday for public viewing.
This 43-page appeal was filed Feb. 5 after the university filed its intent to appeal back in December.
The appeal asks that the 2018 postseason ban for the football program be vacated, the three-year limitation on unofficial visits by prospective football student-athletes be lifted, the lack of institutional control from 2010 to 2015 charge be vacated, and cited that the COI finding Rebel Rags gave free merchandise to prospective athletes and their families or acquaintances was contrary to evidence and not fully investigated.
The major cause for the appeal was the 2018 postseason ban. This ban was in addition to the 2017 bowl ban the university self-imposed. Both Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter and Athletics Director Ross Bjork said in the press conference Dec. 1 when the ruling was announced that the NCAA’s additional postseason ban was excessive and did not account for the actions the university had already taken to address the issues.
The university is not backing down from the NCAA and has built a large team of lawyers. It hired Mississippi-based law firm Butler Snow; Lightfoot, Franklin & White; and Bond, Schoeneck & King for the appeal and other legal services. A representative from Barrett Law Group also joined the university’s legal team.
The university should receive a response within 30 days.
