Virginia Given Level 2 Violation After Self-Reported Recruiting Infractions

The Virginia Cavaliers football team was punished by the NCAA on Friday for a Level 2 violation after self-reporting a recruiting violation that occurred in May 2016.

According to a press release on VirginiaSports.com (h/t Jamie Oakes of 247Sports), the violation involved assistant coaches taking photographs with prospects. There were 32 such instances of that particular violation.

As part of the punishment, Virginia received a $5,000 fine, a reduction in off-campus contacts from six to four with regard to the recruits involved in the violation, a reduction in 2017 spring evaluations from 168 to 150 and additional rules education for the football staff.

Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall said the following in response to the violations and punishment:

"

I am disappointed these actions occurred during engagements with prospects and resulted in violations. It is incumbent upon everyone associated with our program to have a complete understanding of the NCAA bylaws and interpretations and it's my responsibility to ensure that happens. We have already taken steps with our compliance staff to improve our training and rules education to ensure we meet that standard. It is our goal to operate at the highest level of compliance to support the University and positively represent our students, faculty, staff, alumni, supporters and community.

"

The 2016 season was Mendenhall's first at Virginia, and the team struggled mightily, as it finished 2-10 and went just 1-7 in the ACC.

Mendenhall spent the previous 11 seasons at BYU, leading the Cougars to 11 bowl games and an overall record of 99-43.

Virginia hasn't appeared in a bowl game since the 2011 season.

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