In June of 2010, the NCAA made the University of North Carolina aware of possible illegal benefits violations among members of the Tar Heels football team. In July of 2010, we giggled at barely-there reports of NCAA investigators questioning players. In September of 2010 we wat in the Georgia Dome and watched a gutted UNC team down 13 players very nearly knock off LSU in the highest-profile game of college football’s 2010 opening weekend. And on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, the university announced the receipt of a notice of inquiry by the NCAA. Not a notice of allegations, mind. Just a notice that the NCAA thinks, officially, that something might be amiss:
UNC Announces Most Obvious NCAA Inquiry In Recorded Human History
CHAPEL HILL - The University of North Carolina announced Tuesday it has received a notice of inquiry from the NCAA pertaining to its football program. The letter is a formal declaration of an investigation into the program, which originally began in June, 2010.
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“The notice of inquiry is a formal notification from the NCAA that they have been reviewing our football program,” said UNC Director of Athletics Dick Baddour. “We have been working with the NCAA and cooperating with them on this investigation. We are committed to the process and will continue to cooperate.”
For an impression of just how much has transpired since the NCAA's initial foray into Chapel Hill, peruse the rest of this StoryStream. The scope of events is just staggering: A second, academics-related investigation came to light. A third case, featuring defensive end Quinton Coples, was announced just a few weeks ago. Two players were ruled permanently ineligible. Four players have left the program just this spring. Marvin Austin, the original investigative centerpiece, was the Denver Broncos' second-round draft pick. The state government got involved. The coach in the eye of the case resigned, and the agent being fingered for ethics violations up and died. And Butch Davis banned Twitter, and still has a job. We stand in awe of this rich human tapestry of events.
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