NCAA Responds After Ohio Halts Sports Betting On Alabama Baseball

TUSCALOOSA, AL — National Collegiate Athletic Association has responded to a bombshell report by ESPN published Monday after licensed sportsbooks in Ohio were ordered halt any betting on college baseball games involving Alabama.

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As ESPN Staff Writer David Purdum penned, the suspicious wagering activity was detected on the Crimson Tide's game against No.1 LSU on Friday. The report said Ohio Casino Control Commission Executive Director Matthew T. Schuler issued the directive, which prohibits "the acceptance of any wagers on University of Alabama baseball effective immediately."

The Ohio Casino Control Commission also told ESPN the suspicious betting activity took place at the BetMGM sportsbook at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

The regulatory commission then said information from one of its independent integrity monitors prompted the decision, which came after LSU nearly blew a 8-1 lead after seven innings, before defeating Alabama 8-6.

In a statement provided to media outlets on Tuesday, the NCAA responded to the incident, saying "The NCAA takes sports wagering very seriously and is committed to the protection of student-athlete well-being and the integrity of competition. We are aware of this issue and actively gathering additional information.”

The controversy is just the latest for a beleaguered Alabama baseball program and an embattled administration within the athletic department.

In March, it was widely reported that head coach Brad Bohannon, pitching coach Jason Jackson and athletic trainer Sean Stryker were sued by a former player for refusing him medical care for an injury.

As Patch previously reported, the news also comes days after University of Alabama Deputy Director of Athletics, Compliance and Support Services Matthew Travis Self was arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic violence.

Alabama baseball (30-15, 9-12 SEC) will be back in action on Thursday at home against Vanderbilt.

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