Alabama A&M and Mississippi Valley St Teams Receive Academic Penalty

Last month, it was reported that Florida A&M football received a punishment for failing to maintain their multi-year academic progress rate figure. Because their cumulative score fell below the minimum, the Rattlers are now banned from competing in the 2026 postseason.

The program also had to face practice restrictions as well as the distinct possibility of a mass exodus of transfers, which would be allowed given the circumstances.

Florida A&M now has some company when it comes to SWAC sports teams being disciplined for academic shortcomings.

Alabama A&M and Mississippi Valley State are also dealing with the news that some of their teams did not make the grade. The two institutions received Level Two penalties, the same way that Florida A&M did.

Three SWAC schools hit with APR penalties. https://t.co/zIMWET63MN

— Zach Barnett (@zach_barnett) May 5, 2026

The NCAA requires that the multi-year academic progress rate reach a minimum of 930. The metric is calculated over a rolling four-year period which measures academic eligibility and retention.

Mississippi Valley State football posted a score of 894, while Alabama A&M football posted a score of 897.

Alabama A&M is dealing with this issue on a couple of fronts, as their men’s basketball team also received a penalty due to a low academic progress rate.

“This is not the standard we expect for Alabama A&M University,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Paul A. Bryant. “We are committed to excellence in the classroom and in competition, and we take full responsibility for ensuring our programs reflect those values. We are building something rooted in accountability, academic success, and pride in representing Alabama A&M—and we are already seeing the impact in the classroom and in our young men’s growth as leaders.”

However, Alabama A&M is fighting the ruling on the football side and appears to have gained some traction.

In a statement, the school posted, “Alabama A&M University football is not under a postseason ban. The program remains fully eligible for all postseason opportunities. At this time, the team is operating under practice limitations, which are being addressed proactively and in full alignment with NCAA guidelines. Our focus remains on supporting our student‑athletes, maintaining compliance, and continuing to build a championship‑caliber program. Alabama A&M filed for a waiver and the waiver was approved as such we will NOT have a postseason ban.”

So the @NCAA_PR lists AAMU as having a L2 penalty in football. Per @MoCarterFOX54 it has filed a waiver and won and won’t be penalized. https://t.co/hehjiaZtXE pic.twitter.com/wkQIih5Vbt

— HBCU Gameday (@HBCUGameday) May 5, 2026

Meanwhile, this isn’t the first time Mississippi Valley State has dealt with this issue. This is the fifth time that the football team has been slapped with a penalty for not having a high enough academic progress rate.  This will be the second consecutive campaign that the school will be ineligible for postseason play, unless they are granted a waiver.

Both programs struggled during the 2025 football season, finishing 1-7 in SWAC play. That tied them with Southern for last in the conference.

Alabama A&M did have a little more success in the non-conference schedule, going 3-1.

It’s not clear at this time whether Alabama A&M plans to appeal the ruling for its basketball team.