ACC publicly reprimands UNC football program

The ACC issued to the University of North Carolina a public reprimand for violations that occurrerd within the Tar Heels' football program. PHOTO: News & Observer file.

CHAPEL HILL — The ACC on Friday issued a public reprimand to the University of North Carolina for violations that occurred in the Tar Heels’ football program. Here’s a story about the reprimand.

No, this isn’t a drastic penalty – if it can even be considered a penalty at all (though the NCAA and college athletic conferences view public reprimands as a “penalty” for violations) – but the public reprimand is significant when you consider that the ACC’s Penalty and Infractions Committee hasn’t done this type of thing since 1990. Back then, the committee ruled that Maryland would have to repay lost television revenue while the Terrapins’ men’s basketball program served a television ban.

Since then, the ACC’s Penalty and Infractions Committee had not taken additional action in any NCAA infractions case. So on one hand, yes – a public reprimand isn’t the kind of penalty that comes with too many consequences. But on the other, it is something. And more, in fact, than what the ACC’s Penalty and Infractions Committee has offered in any infractions case in the past 21 years.

Here are some statements:

From Richard Carmichael, the chair of the ACC Penalty and Infractions Committee, and the faculty athletic representative at Wake Forest: “The Atlantic Coast Conference has been built on its ability to balance academics and athletics. The committee believes that the University of North Carolina has and will continue to strive toward this balance; however, the committee agreed that a public reprimand was appropriate in this specific case in addition to the other penalties already in place.”
 
From ACC Commissioner John Swofford: “The ACC’s balance of academics, athletics and integrity will continue to be the cornerstones by which this league operates. As I have said previously, it is disturbing anytime one of our member institutions has NCAA infractions issues. Such issues are counter to the goals and aspirations of our conference.”

And, from UNC: “As a charter member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the University of North Carolina is proud of its long and rich history in what we believe is the ultimate blend of academic and athletics in the country. The unfortunate and regrettable experiences of the last few years have been difficult for the University community to endure, but we believe UNC will be a better and stronger member of the conference going forward.”