UNC may have played 2009 season with ineligible players
UNC's Cam Thomas waits for play to resume during a timeout against Notre Dame.
Aug 11, 2010
Yahoo! Sports reported two days ago that UNC assistant coach John Blake is being investigated by the NCAA concerning his relationship with NFL agent Gary Wichard.
But that might not even be the biggest problem for UNC right now. A trip to California in the summer of 2009 might be the real issue.
One of Wichard's clients is former Tar Heel Kentwan Balmer. Defensive tackle Marvin Austin visited Balmer in California in the summer before the 2009 season. The two worked out at Proactive Sports Performance, which is two miles away from Wichard's agency.
Wichard unveiled in the Yahoo article that Balmer paid for Austin's travel and expenses - an NCAA violation because Balmer and Austin do not have enough of a pre-existing relationship.
Later the N&O reported that former Tar Heel and NFL rookie Cam Thomas went on the trip too. He confirmed to the paper that Balmer paid for his and Austin's travel.
An NCAA bylaw on “Preferential Treatment" states that a player can’t receive travel and training benefits that are derived because of their athletic skill.
Adam Gold and Joe Ovies spoke to Yahoo reporter Charles Robinson on 99.9 The Fan on Tuesday. Gold asked if it's true that Balmer paid for the trip, "Is Carolina viewed to have played 2009 with two ineligible players?"
"Yes, that can definitely be the case," Robinson replied.
Robinson said the NCAA's first concern in the matter, even if Balmer paid for the trip, is to find out if the trip was "legit" and to make sure Balmer wasn't acting as a runner.
"They need to know this is not Balmer paying for these guys via Gary Wicahrd, using Balmer to pay for other guys."
Since the 2009 season is already over and Thomas is already long gone, vacating wins could be in order.
There is potential that the Heel's 8-win season could be wiped from the slate.
Most Recent Comments
Posted Aug 12, 2:40 p.m.
Rank: Sports Legend Posts: 29209
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Location: Raleigh, NC
RE: UNC may have played 2009 season with ineligible players
- Posted by cdhodges81Butchie will just figure out a way to get them a track scholarship and have them walk on to the team....aka Santana Moss....
And? Plenty of schools do this. Kind of like having a MLB team pay tuition while letting the athlete continue to play football.
Perfectly legal and cleared by the NCAA.
RE: UNC may have played 2009 season with ineligible players
When those 70-75 players in baby blue run out of the tunnel in ATL in Sept, you holes cheer and be supportive of those players left in the wake of this investigation. Enjoy.Posted Aug 11, 6:48 p.m.
Rank: Sports Legend Posts: 2345
Joined: Mar, 2010
Location: Durham, NC
RE: UNC may have played 2009 season with ineligible players
Butchie will just figure out a way to get them a track scholarship and have them walk on to the team....aka Santana Moss....
And? Plenty of schools do this. Kind of like having a MLB team pay tuition while letting the athlete continue to play football.
Posted Aug 11, 4:42 p.m.
Rank: Sports Legend Posts: 29209
Joined: Jan, 2008
Location: Raleigh, NC
RE: UNC may have played 2009 season with ineligible players
I thought it rather ironic that State fans are calling UNC a bunch of cheaters when there is a headline today that a former NCSU basketball player swindled an 83 year old lady out of 3 million dollars. Just an observation, that is all. The point is it has come to the point that just everyone in America who has any money has cheated and lied to get it. No one is any better than the next person.- Posted by BigUNCFan
Do you really want to talk about what EX-players do after leaving the program?
http://carolinasucks.com/images/rapsheet.htm
Posted Aug 11, 4:11 p.m.
Rank: Veteran Posts: 307
Joined: Feb, 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC
RE: UNC may have played 2009 season with ineligible players
- Posted by Tarheelsvictory-57-82-93-05-09- Posted by TruthBKnown ReturnsThe Heels will have to give up their ACC Championship Trophy from last season, oh wait, they did not win that. They will also have to give back their Tire Bowl victory Trophy, oh wait, they did not win that either. It does not look like they will be giving up very much if it were to happen. :)- Posted by Tarheelsvictory-57-82-93-05-09
GO HEELS!!
Just (maybe) their chance at going to another bowl this year, some scholarships, etc. No biggie!
Scholarships and Bowl Games. Who needs 'em! :)
GO HEELS!!
Butchie will just figure out a way to get them a track scholarship and have them walk on to the team....aka Santana Moss....
I think more needs to be done to agents that get kids in these situations, but rules are rules, and if broken, and caught, they need to be punished. I woudl say the same if this happend at State. just so happens, I can enjoy this. Doesn't feel good does it? Now you know how we felt when we got dragged through the mud in hoops 20 yrs ago.
