Lightfoot Secures Significant Penalty Reduction in NCAA Infractions Case Against Alabama State University

August 3, 2026

Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC partner Clint Speegle secured a maximum penalty reduction for Alabama State University in an NCAA infractions case. As a result of Speegle’s efforts, the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions downgraded the violation from Level I Aggravated to Level I Mitigated, the lowest classification available once a case reaches Level I and the largest possible downgrade that was achievable.

In the decision, the Committee imposed just the minimum available financial penalty of $30,000 plus 1% of the football program's budget, along with three years of probation. Probation carries additional NCAA reporting requirements and oversight but does not affect the team's eligibility to compete.

Alabama State retained Lightfoot four weeks ahead of the expedited penalty hearing before the Committee on Infractions. The case centered on allegations that a former Sports Information Director altered a football student-athlete's statistics on the university's athletics website during the 2019 season. 

Speegle is a member of Lightfoot's NCAA Compliance & Investigations practice, which represents institutions, athletic administrators and coaches in NCAA compliance matters.