Alabama -- "Staring down the barrel of a gun"

Alabama, a university familiar with scandal, has been hit once again.

On Friday the National Collegiate Athletic Association placed the Crimson Tide on a five-year probation and a two-year bowl ban for recruiting violations.

The NCAA also has reduced the number of football scholarships that can be awarded by 21 over the next three years.

According to the NCAA, $20,000 in cash was paid to a prospective student-athlete and his family. Lodging and entertainment were also provided.

In return, a signed National Letter of Intent to attend Alabama was received and regarded as useless after the prospect failed to meet the standard academic requirements needed for competition eligibility.

A second finding includes the transfer of a substantial amount of cash to a Memphis high school coach for the assurance of a prospective player.

The coach and an assistant, who were given $100,000 and a SUV each, are accused of constructing a "scheme" to employ the high school athlete to play football for Alabama.

The University received a letter of intent in February of 2000 from the prospect.

The violations came into light after the assistant coach furnished the NCAA with details and a sequence of the events that took place.

The assistant only came forward when the profits he was promised were not delivered.

Another offense, which took place in the summer of 1999, involves the usage of an automobile at no cost from June to August.

The vehicle was provided by an athletics representative to a student-athlete and quickly repossessed after an announcement was made by the student that he would transfer to another university from Alabama.

Alabama, who has been before the committee three times in six years and two times in three years, admitted to some violations and imposed penalties upon itself in December.

The self-imposed punishments include a 15-scholarship reduction over three years and the disassociation of the three boosters at the root of the scandal temporarily.

The NCAA said much tougher penalties would be in line for the school if it did not permanently disassociate the accused boosters.

Alabama's severed ties include Logan Young, Wendell Smith and Raymond Keller, all of which have denied the accusations brought against them.

The findings of the investigation, which began in April of 2000, include that all of the violations occurred under the former coaches Mike DuBose and Gene Stallings.

None of the accusations include the universityÂ's current coach Dennis Franchione or his staff.

Thomas Yeager, committee chair and commissioner, said of Alabama, "They were absolutely staring down the barrel of a gun. These violations are some of the worst, most serious that have ever occurred."

Punishment for The Tide could have been much worse.

The elimination of the sports program, or the "death penalty" as it is called, was considered by the governing body.

This would have been only the second issuance of the death penalty, the first of which was brought against SMU 14-1/2 years ago.

Alabama, the leader in bowl appearances, will miss the post season for two consecutive years for the first time since 1957.

The University said it would appeal.