Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 3, 1990 TAG: 9003032606
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RALEIGH, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
At the same time, Valvano bitterly denounced those who have connected him with a state investigation into charges of point shaving at N.C. State.
"I'm as angry as I've ever been in my life," Valvano said after stepping off an airline flight from New York to Raleigh-Durham International Airport. "I am not implicated in any way, in any violations, from the start.
"I think it's time some of the blame be put where it belongs - on the people involved."
On Wednesday, ABC News cited unnamed sources as saying former N.C. State player Charles Shackleford and New Jersey businessman Robert Kramer conspired with as many as three other former players to hold down scores of four games for betting purposes during the 1987-88 season.
Although Valvano has not been implicated in those charges, the school's student newspaper on Friday called for an end to Valvano's "blind leadership." N.C. State already is serving two years of NCAA probation for violations during Valvano's tenure.
At the same time, there were reports that Valvano would coach the Philips Milan pro team in Italy next season. Team officials denied the reports, and Valvano said: "Dealing in the present is what my intention is, and there's no need to speculate about the future."
Valvano said he wanted to sit down with university officials as soon as possible.
"I am perfectly ready to accept what the university thinks is best," he said.
Asked whether he would consider waiving a contract clause that guarantees him $500,000 if he is terminated without "just cause," Valvano said, "Whatever is done is going to be fair and equitable to all parties. I consider the university my friend."
When asked if he would meet quickly with Valvano, Larry Monteith, N.C. State's interim chancellor, said, "I think what the coach and I do over the next few days, I won't comment on.
"I honestly don't feel any pressure [to fire Valvano]. People have a right to their opinions and to state their opinions. But that won't be how I make my decision - based on opinions, when I want facts."
Valvano returned to Raleigh to help the Wolfpack prepare for its final regular-season game Sunday against Wake Forest. Valvano said he expected to coach the team at least through the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.
"I expect to complete this season with this team, but that doesn't mean we won't have this meeting as soon as possible," he said.
Newspaper editorials, including one in N.C. State's school paper, The Technician, pointed out a litany of problems at the school. In addition, a petition circulated among the faculty at N.C. State called for Valvano's ouster.
The editorials and the petition had similar sentiments: Valvano should have known about players selling athletic shoes and tickets - NCAA violations that led to the team's two-year probation - or about Shackleford's financial dealings if he didn't.
"How could Valvano not notice the new Trans Am or the nice clothes?" asked The Technician in its front-page editorial. "And if he truly did not notice, then what does that say about Valvano's coaching methods? It says that the university does not need that kind of blind leadership."
The paper also proposed a self-imposed moratorium on basketball at N.C. State. "That's wrong and that's an overreaction to handle the problem," Valvano said.
The Charlotte Observer said: "Mr. Valvano either didn't know or didn't care. If he didn't know, he was intolerably negligent. Perhaps he was too busy taking advantage of his own celebrity for his own financial gain. If he didn't care, that's even worse."
The Winston-Salem Journal noted charges of point-shaving remain unproven. "But they do represent another unwelcome straw atop what has become a very motley camel," the editorial read, "and Valvano's continued association with the university can no longer be justified."
by CNB