The University of Miami is being investigated by the NCAA for recruiting-related text messages by coaches in various sports -- including football, women's track and possibly baseball, three sources told The Miami Herald.
UM initiated the process by self-reporting the infractions to the NCAA, according to two UM athletic department sources, both of whom believe the infractions are not considered severe.
Another source with knowledge of the investigation said it was launched in January.
Though individual text-messaging episodes would normally be categorized by the NCAA as secondary violations, collectively they could be considered a major violation, which is believed to be the case for the UM program. The sanctions in this type of case are usually not harsh.
UM released a statement Friday, saying, ``The University of Miami's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics discovered possible NCAA violations involving impermissible text messages and telephone calls to prospective student-athletes. After conducting an audit, the University has self-reported its findings to the NCAA, and a joint investigation has been launched. The University will take appropriate steps to ensure full compliance with NCAA rules and regulations. As this is an on-going process, the University will have no further comment at this time.''
It is unknown how many text-related violations were discovered.
The NCAA banned college coaches from text-messaging recruits in 2007 ``because of the potential cost to prospective student-athletes,'' according to the NCAA website.
The NCAA defines recruiting as ``any solicitation of prospective student-athletes or their parents by an institutional staff member or by a representative of the institution's athletics interests for the purpose of securing a prospective student-athlete's enrollment and ultimate participation in the institution's intercollegiate athletics program.'' cont...