DATE: Friday, November 21, 1997             TAG: 9711210912

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: RICH RADFORD

LENGTH: 31 lines

HARRIS RESIGNS AT ECSU AFTER ELIGIBILITY ISSUE IS DISCOVERED

Elisha ``Cadillac'' Harris has resigned under pressure as head football coach at Elizabeth City State University following the discovery of an allegedly ineligible player's participation in a game this season.

Harris, former head coach at Virginia Beach's Green Run High School, handed in his resignation Monday to ECSU athletic director Dr. Edward McLean. The Vikings were 2-8 this season and 6-14 in his two-year tenure.

McLean said that Berlyn Thomas, a returning reserve player used primarily on special teams, did not have the grade-point average necessary to meet satisfactory-progress requirements under NCAA guidelines. According to McLean, the violation was discovered during a spot check of eligibility reports. Thomas played one game, on the kickoff teams in a loss to North Carolina Central.

``We are in the process of notifying the NCAA and the CIAA in writing,'' said McLean, who has already contacted both organizations by telephone. ``A violation is a violation, whether the player is a part-time player or not. And we will not stand for these violations. Coach Harris resigned and I accepted his resignation.''

Attempts to reach Harris were unsuccessful. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Elisha ``Cadillac'' Harris' teams compiled a 6-14 record.

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