GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) -- The Atlantic Coast Conference's infractions and penalties committee has issued a public reprimand to North Carolina.
The
reprimand was announced Friday and came roughly a month after the
NCAA's infractions committee imposed sanctions on the Tar Heels'
football program.
"The ACC's balance of academics, athletics and
integrity will continue to be the cornerstones by which this league
operates," ACC Commissioner John Swofford said. "As I have said
previously, it is disturbing anytime one of our member institutions has
NCAA infractions issues. Such issues are counter to the goals and
aspirations of our conference."
The ACC's 12-person committee,
which consists of athletic directors and faculty athletics
representatives, issued the reprimand for the university's
responsibility for the major violations documented in the NCAA report.
UNC
spokesman Steve Kirschner issued a statement saying the "unfortunate
and regrettable experiences of the last few years have been difficult
for the University community to endure, but we believe UNC will be a
better and stronger member of the conference going forward."
The
NCAA in March gave the Tar Heels' football program a one-year
postseason ban, a reduction of 15 scholarships and three years of
probation, capping a nearly two-year investigation into improper
benefits and academic misconduct.
The NCAA said the school was
responsible for multiple violations, including academic fraud and a
failure to monitor its football program. The scandal included players
receiving jewelry and other gifts from people outside the program, as
well as a tutor providing improper help to players on term papers.
The
postseason ban is for this fall and prevents the Tar Heels from playing
in either the ACC championship game or a bowl game. The scholarship
reductions would be five per year, also starting in the fall.
