Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 6, 1990 TAG: 9003061723
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RALEIGH, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
Art Kaminsky, the Wolfpack coach's attorney and agent, returned to New York after weekend discussions with N.C. State officials. Valvano has not been implicated in recent allegations of point shaving by former Wolfpack players, but he has come under fire.
Valvano said he had not met with school officials to discuss his contract Monday.
"I have not been involved in any discussions, and there weren't any today," he said as the Wolfpack prepared for practice Monday afternoon at Reynolds Coliseum.
Junior guards Chris Corchiani and Rodney Monroe said the school's counsel, Becky French, met with Wolfpack players Monday, but they would not discuss the nature of the meeting.
"That was just between the school and players," Corchiani said.
Calls for Valvano's dismissal began after ABC News reported last week that four players conspired to fix as many as four games during the 1987-88 basketball season. That report came after former N.C. State center Charles Shackleford admitted he accepted nearly $65,000 while a student, in violation of NCAA rules.
Shackleford has denied any role in point shaving, and Valvano insists he knew nothing of point shaving or improper payments.
"Mr. Kaminsky had come to Raleigh [and] requested to meet with the university officials concerning the possibility of Mr. Valvano's resignation, and he presented a proposal to the university, which was very difficult for us to respond to," said George Worsley, vice chancellor for business and finance.
Worsley would not say how much money Kaminsky proposed as a settlement to void Valvano's contract. The contract includes a buyout provision that requires the university to pay Valvano $500,000 if he is dismissed for anything short of a felony conviction or a finding that he personally was responsible for a major NCAA violation.
Sources close to the negotiations said the school is legally obligated to pay Valvano $875,000 if he is fired or asked to step down, The Charlotte Observer reported Monday. Kaminsky has proposed a settlement of between $500,000 and $600,000, and the school has offered $106,000, the coach's base salary for one year, the newspaper said. The newspaper also said Valvano is due $250,000 from a Wolfpack Club trust fund and a $125,000 annuity.
by CNB