Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 27, 1990 TAG: 9003270172
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: ????????????????? EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RALEIGH, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
"He, of course, wants to continue on at State, and he's willing to do so under rather restrictive conditions. He thinks he's come more than halfway to meet objections or expectations of the university," Woody Webb, a Raleigh lawyer, said Monday.
The university should outline "what precise duties they want him to discharge so there won't be any dashed expectations," said Webb, who was hired as a North Carolina representative for Valvano's New York lawyer.
Webb met for 90 minutes on Monday with Raleigh lawyer Howard Manning, who represents N.C. State, and Andrew Vanore Jr., chief deputy state attorney general.
Valvano is willing to be evaluated on a yearly basis, but the university has been "vague and nebulous" on the role it wants the coach to take in assuring academic standards are met by players, Webb said.
"I think there will have to be some amendments to the current contract. . . . He may have to take some control over [the academic standing of basketball players] . . . establish certain policies," Webb said.
Valvano's contract includes a clause stipulating that one of his duties is to "encourage academic progress, in conjunction with the faculty and university, of student-athletes toward graduation."
"His graduation rate is at least on a par with the graduation rate of N.C. State's student body as a whole," Webb said.
He described Valvano as "guardedly optimistic" that he will remain as coach.
"I do feel very strongly there's a chance he will stay," Webb said. "That's what he wants to do. He's said in the past if he was perceived as part of the problem, he wants to stay on as part of the solution."
Webb said he would deliver a written proposal to university lawyers. He did not elaborate on the proposal, but said it would be based on Monday's talks.
Manning would not comment on the meeting, and Vanore said he couldn't reveal specifics discussed Monday.
Webb said the lawyers for the school were "very receptive to all my ideas. They didn't give me any ultimatums."
Valvano's secretary said the coach was in his office but was not available for comment.
A six-month study of the N.C. State basketball program last year found repeated abuses of academic standards to maintain player eligibility. After hearing similar information presented during a 2 1/2-hour emergency session last week, university trustees voted 9-3 to seek Valvano's resignation.
Despite the vote, Webb said he may suggest that Valvano arrange a meeting with the trustees.
Trustee William Burns said he'd like to see the matter resolved quickly. Retaining Valvano as coach is a possibility, he said.
"It needs to be finished," he said in a telephone interview. "There must be some other options, too. I think we want the coach to be treated fairly."
None of the other 12 trustees could be reached for comment.
Webb said last week that he had heard that university officials are considering litigation to invalidate the contract by claiming that Valvano did not ensure academic progress for his players.
Valvano's contract stipulates that if he is fired for anything less than a felony conviction or an NCAA violation, the university must pay him $500,000. If he leaves N.C. State for another major-college or pro job, he must pay the university a like amount.
Shackleford, who now plays for the New Jersey Nets, was in Charlotte on Monday night as the Nets played the Hornets. During game introductions he was booed, the Greensboro News & Record reported.
"I ain't got nothing to say to you guys," he said after the game. "It's something to come home and already be convicted. It's pathetic. Someone says you did something without evidence, and I'm supposed to be this bad person and spend the rest of my life in [prison]. I haven't got anything else to say."
by CNB