College Football
Investigation, suspensions overshadow season's start for UNC fans
Sep 3, 2010
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — An NCAA investigation has cast a dark cloud over the usually sunny start to a new football season in Chapel Hill.
Students, administrators and alumni say the investigation overshadows their enthusiasm for the season's start.
"It's bringing negative attention to the school and I don't want that. I want a school that gets positive attention," said UNC student Claudia Amand.
The football program will draw a national spotlight Saturday night when the Tar Heels take the field at the Georgia Dome to face LSU. They'll be at least 12 men down on the sideline.
The university declared six players ineligible for Saturday's game: defensive tackle Marvin Austin, cornerback Charles Brown, cornerback Kendric Burney, wide receiver Greg Little, defensive end Michael McAdoo and defensive end Robert Quinn.
An additional six players won't play while their eligibility is in question. They are: tailback Shaun Draughn, defensive end Linwan Euwell, safety Brian Gupton, tailback Ryan Houston, safety Da’Norris Searcy and safety Jonathan Smith.
"Honestly, it's kind of sad," said student Keenan Jenkins.
The probe, which initially focused on whether two players received improper benefits from agents, expanded to include possible academic violations and has embarrassed the university.
“It gets at the heart of what we stand for,” athletic director Dick Baddour said. “It gives me grave concerns. And it comes in an area where we’ve taken great pride, not only in the achievement of our student-athletes but in the support program we have.”
UNC President Erskine Bowles sent an e-mail to the Board of Governors reassuring them the university is "doing everything humanly possible to get to the bottom of this matter."
Copyright 2012 by WRAL.com and the Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Most Recent Comments
RE: Investigation, suspensions overshadow season's start for UNC fans
"It's bringing negative attention to the school and I don't want that. I want a school that gets positive attention," said UNC student Claudia Amand.
REALLY! They got caught cheating!!! That is going to bring negative attention!! You cant cry your way out of this one! If this happened on any other campus it would cause the same amount of attention! This cloud will hang over the tarheels for years. I am sure a comment will be made about it during most basketball games this season. Soon you will see threads on here talking about the basketball squad under fire (although i believe Roy has them on lock a little better) This is the cancer starting in college sports like steriods in baseball.
- Posted by brandonfwatts
Dont get your panties in a wad dood.
If when you say "they!!!!!" you mean Marvin Austin, then yes he has been "caught!!!" But what he got "caught!!!" doing to me is no big deal, a grown man taking free tickets ,gifts, money from ANYBODY should not be a violation of anything. However, it DID break the pathetic NCAA rules. Now, as far as"cheating!!"
there does seem to be evedence that a few of the many players had someone else write papers for them, and yes that is cheating. But this goes on not only with atheletes but also NON student atheletes. So before you crucify Carolina maybe you should look at youself and ask if you have ever broke any of lifes rules.
I get the feeeling you probaly answer no.
"Dood" read the post again! Im not talking junk about your beloved tarholes. I am talking about using a tutor incorrectly. Think about it, when (if) you went to college all of the major sports players barely came to class and if they did it was with there lunch and still had a ipod in one ear. This happens at every school and I believe what the ncaa has started at UNC will not stop there instead start an investigation to many other school.
And for the taking gifts. Its breaking the rules. I break the rules all the time if i get caught then I deal with the consequences. Simple as that. Especially when you put your team, your school and your career at risk. You just have to be smarter then that. Give them a 2 game suspension and a slap on the wrist and get back in the game!
This is the cancer starting in college sports like steroids in baseball.
RE: Investigation, suspensions overshadow season's start for UNC fans
Has there ever been a more obvious headline? Come on WRAL, don't keep doing story after story just to have a story.
RE: Investigation, suspensions overshadow season's start for UNC fans
My once enthusiastic interest in UNC football has been dropping steadily for years, but this year it has reached a new low from which it may not recover.
- Posted by KevInApex
You wont me missed. Thats not what a true fan would EVER say. I hear Puke needs some extra fans for thier football program, if you want to call it that. And a bonus, tickets are darn near free. Good luck!
SEE YA!
@TruthBKnown Why are you here? To Dig? Everybody Carolina plays is a rival. I would rather pull for the Heels in tough times than anybody else in good times. Remember there are 100+ kids in the program. I support all of them.
GO HEELS!
"It's bringing negative attention to the school and I don't want that. I want a school that gets positive attention," said UNC student Claudia Amand.
REALLY! They got caught cheating!!! That is going to bring negative attention!! You cant cry your way out of this one! If this happened on any other campus it would cause the same amount of attention! This cloud will hang over the tarheels for years. I am sure a comment will be made about it during most basketball games this season. Soon you will see threads on here talking about the basketball squad under fire (although i believe Roy has them on lock a little better) This is the cancer starting in college sports like steriods in baseball.
- Posted by brandonfwatts
Dont get your panties in a wad dood.
If when you say "they!!!!!" you mean Marvin Austin, then yes he has been "caught!!!" But what he got "caught!!!" doing to me is no big deal, a grown man taking free tickets ,gifts, money from ANYBODY should not be a violation of anything. However, it DID break the pathetic NCAA rules. Now, as far as"cheating!!"
there does seem to be evedence that a few of the many players had someone else write papers for them, and yes that is cheating. But this goes on not only with atheletes but also NON student atheletes. So before you crucify Carolina maybe you should look at youself and ask if you have ever broke any of lifes rules.
I get the feeeling you probaly answer no.
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