CHAPEL HILL
The NCAA investigation hovering over North Carolina's football program has frustrated everyone at the university from administrators to alumni.
The inquiry initially focused on whether two players received improper benefits from agents, but its expansion into possible academics violations that could sideline numerous players for this weekend's opener against LSU has embarrassed the university.
"It gets at the heart of what we stand for," said Athletics Director Dick Baddour. "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."
The investigation overshadows everything.
Coach Butch Davis is on the verge of reviving the downtrodden program. The No. 18 Tar Heels appeared ready to contend for an ACC championship and had locked up a high-profile opener against the No. 21 Tigers in Atlanta this weekend.
But all anyone is talking about is the investigation.
Investigators first visited the campus in July to look into whether defensive tackle Marvin Austin and receiver Greg Little received improper benefits from agents. Then, last week, the school announced that it was also looking into potential academics misconduct involving a tutor.
Davis suspended Austin on Wednesday for violating team rules, while the school is conferring with the NCAA about whether an unspecified number of players should be cleared to play on Saturday. It's a violation to travel with ineligible players, so Baddour said the school wouldn't take a chance with a player whose status is in doubt when the team leaves today.
"We are certainly anxiously awaiting word on a number of players," Baddour said.
Yesterday afternoon, Davis refused to say how many players were in jeopardy of missing the game.
The coaches "have asked our players to stay focused, come to practice, watch film, try to create as normal as an environment as possible," Davis said. "With all the rumors and the speculation and all those things that have hovered around for the better part of six to seven weeks, I think our kids have done a good job.
"They've put everything in perspective, they've come to practice during training camp and they've worked hard."
As if the football issues weren't enough, the latest developments are causing consternation for a school that is sensitive about protecting its academics reputation. "It does shake us more," said Jack Evans, a former long-time faculty athletics representative and part of the university's investigation into the academics issues. "Because we start by saying this is a public university that is committed to providing education for the students that come here, that it's committed to serving the people of the state. ... Something like this is disturbing. It's unsettling."
Chancellor Holden Thorp said he thinks Davis is "just as embarrassed as I am, that he's just as sad about what has happened."
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