University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC Declares Williams Ineligible
June 21, 1999 | Football
September 15, 1998
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. --- Sophomore tailback Domonique Williams has been declared academically ineligible by the University of North Carolina after the school twice pursued a "satisfactory progress" waiver to the NCAA. Williams will have to sit out the 1998 college football season. He will be able to practice with the squad and has three years of eligibility remaining.
"My father (Dwight) had a heart attack in January and I didn't tell anyone at school about his condition or the effect it had on my grades until the end of the semester," says Williams. "I'm a good student and am serious about earning my degree. That's one of the reasons I chose to attend UNC. But with my dad being sick I didn't do well on my exams in the spring. Other than the spring semester, I passed all of my other courses in the fall and summer. I will work hard to become eligible for 1999 and will do whatever I can this fall to help my teammates. I'm just disappointed I can't take the field this year."
Williams' academic performance during the spring semester caused him to fail to meet NCAA satisfactory progress requirements.
"I am disappointed for Domonique and his family," says head coach Carl Torbush. "He really is an outstanding young man and I know he will work diligently this year to regain his eligibility. Domonique will continue to be a valuable member of our team this year. We anticipate his return as an active playing member next fall."
"Because of his dad's medical condition, the University on two occasions appealed Domonique's case to the NCAA to restore his eligibility but we were denied those appeals," says Athletics Director Dick Baddour. "He has worked hard in the summer to improve his academic standing and I feel he will continue to work toward regaining his eligibility for next season."
The Upper Marlboro, Md., native played in seven regular-season games and the Gator Bowl last year. He had 15 rushing attempts for 50 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown run against Duke in the regular-season finale at Kenan Stadium. He was expected to compete for a starting berth at tailback this fall, but has missed almost the entire preseason due to a sprained right knee and stress fracture in his right tibia. He suffered the injury in Carolina's first full varsity workout on August 10th.
