By Jon Machota
FOXSportsSouthwest.com Special Contributor
Feb. 21, 2011
Oklahoma City Heritage Hall running back Barry Sanders Jr. attended Alabama's basketball game against Arkansas on Saturday.
Apparently, the trip to Tuscaloosa came with a little controversy.
The Oklahoman reported Monday that a violation occurred when Sanders, a junior, was visiting the Alabama campus for the second time this off-season.
The basketball game was shown on a FOX Sports television broadcast, and the Crimson Tide's video board showed Sanders and Alabama football coach Nick Saban together.
According to The Oklahoman, the two were allowed to sit next to each other, but Sanders is not allowed to be introduced at functions attended by the media or the public.
After a review of the incident, the Alabama compliance office denied that an NCAA violation was committed.
"Our compliance office is aware of this claim and has looked into it. Based on that inquiry, it was determined that no violation was committed," Alabama spokesperson Doug Walker told The Tuscaloosa News.
According to the University of Alabama, the still images that circulated on the Internet of Sanders and Saban together were taken from the FOX Sports broadcast, and the university is not at fault.
The school's findings were that the video board displayed only a prominent shot of Saban.
It was reported by SportsByBrooks.com that upon seeing Sanders and Saban together, a 'We Want Barry!' chant began in the Alabama student section. Violation of the rule would be considered a secondary violation by the NCAA and would not affect the eligibility of Sanders.
Sanders, who is recovering from foot surgery, is rated as one of the top recruits for the 2012 football class. He has 15 offers and includes Alabama, Florida State, Oklahoma State and UCLA as his four early favorites.
