Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 18, 1990                   TAG: 9004180622
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

NCSU PLAYERS WEREN'T PUSHED

Larry Monteith, addressing the school's Faculty Senate for the first time since Valvano was removed as coach less than two weeks ago, said Valvano's teams in the 1980s also relied heavily on academic exceptions.

Monteith had undertaken an internal investigation of the men's basketball program after he was named interim chancellor in September 1989. He had replaced Bruce Poulton, who resigned amid controversy surrounding the Wolfpack program.

Valvano, who coached the Wolfpack for 10 years, stepped down April 7 after university and school booster officials agreed to pay him more than $600,000.

The basketball program was placed on two years' probation by the NCAA in December after players received cash and items of value in exchange for tickets and shoes.

"Probably the most disheartening part of my review was to know that, when eligibility was the issue, most players could pass the course work required to remain eligible," Monteith said, reading from a statement he delivered to the school's Board of Trustees several weeks ago. "Clearly, many of these young men could make progress toward a degree but were not motivated or guided to do so."

Monteith said academic performance of the basketball team also declined after the Wolfpack won national championships in 1974 under Norm Sloan and 1983 under Valvano.

The special meeting lasted about 30 minutes and reporters were not allowed to ask questions. Only a handful of questions were asked by faculty members, who had requested that Monteith report back to them after his speech to the trustees, who voted 9-3 in April to oust Valvano.

"We need help from the coach, the assistant coaches, from tutors...to force these young men to understand the value of our university and the importance of making progress toward a degree," Monteith said.

Monteith gave no specific academic records, but said performance under Valvano the past 10 years was "extremely poor."

"I don't know if I can say I'm disappointed [about the lack of specifics]," said Ray Long, faculty senate chairman. "I think because of the nature of the data it's very difficult to be very specific without...identifying specific individuals. We certainly don't want to do that."

Monteith said the school would try to "heal its wounds." He said problems centered on admissions, academis performances while at N.C. State and progress toward a degree.

"The problem with poor academic performance in men's basketball has a history dating back to the mid-to-late 1970s," he said.

Valvano could not be reached for comment.