University of North Carolina Athletics
Communication From Holden Thorp & Dick Baddour
June 21, 2011 | Football
June 21, 2011
Dear Carolina friends:
We are writing to update you on the investigation of the Carolina football program. Today we received an NCAA notice of allegations for our football program. The allegations relate to improper benefits, inappropriate contact with agents and runners, academic misconduct, failure to monitor, and unethical conduct on the part of John Blake, Jennifer Wiley and one student-athlete. We have posted more information for you on TarHeelBlue.com.
The investigation into our football program began a year ago. We pledged then to take the investigation seriously, to go where the facts took us, and to face the issues head on. Early on, we severed our relationship with John Blake. We sat out student-athletes for our season opener against LSU. Over the season, we held 14 student-athletes out of one or more games. We also disassociated former Tar Heel football player Chris Hawkins, tutor Jennifer Wiley and jeweler A.J. Machado. We have cooperated fully with the NCAA and will continue to do so as we prepare for our Oct. 28 hearing.
We deeply regret that Carolina is in this position. As we move forward, Coach Butch Davis and the two of us are focused on emerging from this as a stronger athletics program. We know that your association with the University and with Carolina Athletics is important to you, and we know that we are the caretakers of that relationship.
Thank you for your support of Carolina.
Sincerely,
Holden Thorp
Dick Baddour
