Tar Heel trio banished from Chapel Hill

The fallout from the NCAA’s investigation continues this morning as three members of the North Carolina football program are now ex-members, including a player who’s been at the heart of the probe into shady agent dealings.

According to releases issued by the school, defensive tackle Marvin Austin has been dismissed from the program, while wide receiver Greg Little and defensive lineman Robert Quinn have been ruled permanently ineligible.

Austin, the release read, was dismissed for violations of NCAA agent benefits, preferential treatment and ethical conduct rules. Austin, whose postings on a social media site regarding a trip to an agent’s party in South Beach led to the NCAA’s initial interest, had been suspended since Sept. for violating unspecified team rules. His case was not submitted to the NCAA for reinstatement consideration.

Little was found by the NCAA to have received $4,952 in impermissible benefits, Quinn $5.642. Even more damning to the duo was the fact that they lied to NCAA investigators. From the release:

Little accepted diamond earrings, as well as travel accommodations for the Bahamas, Washington DC and two trips to Miami, among other benefits. Quinn accepted two black diamond watches, a pair of matching earrings and travel accommodations for a trip to Miami, among other benefits.

Based upon information gathered by the institution and the NCAA Agent, Gambling and Amateurism staff during its joint investigation, unethical conduct charges were found against both student-athletes for providing false and misleading information. According to the facts submitted by the university, each student-athlete was not truthful during three separate interviews with university and NCAA enforcement staff members. Further, Little and Quinn only provided more accurate information when presented with evidence that was contrary to their assertions.

When reaching permanent ineligibility for each of the student-athletes, the staff noted the cases included multiple occasions where the student-athletes accepted benefits that were clearly against NCAA rules. The staff also noted that the student-athletes provided false information despite multiple opportunities to correct their assertions.

Athletic director Dick Baddour released a statement through the school addressing the latest development in an investigation that has tarnished the previously squeaky-clean image of UNC athletics.

“It’s a sad day when three young men are no longer able to represent their school based on actions they have taken and decisions they have made contrary to NCAA rules,” Baddour said. “Unfortunately, they made serious mistakes in judgment in accepting extra benefits and then not being truthful with our staff and NCAA representatives. Now they must forfeit the privilege of playing again for the Tar Heels. Although they are responsible for their actions, they are part of our university and our program and we will support them as they move into the next phases of their lives. I know they love to play the game, but I hope they will learn from their mistakes and lead productive and responsible careers.

“As an institution, we must learn from these mistakes and work with the NCAA and others who love the game of football to repair the environment in which they occurred. College football is a wonderful game, but we need to closely examine and address the agent-related problems. The University of North Carolina pledges to do all it can to do that.

“I hate that these issues have hurt the University of North Carolina and our fans. We have so much to be proud of as a University. We will learn from this and we will become a better program as a result.”

The clarification of the trio’s status leaves eight current Tar Heels whose eligibility is still up in the air. Running back Shaun Draughn was cleared after missing one game, while defensive back Deunta Williams returned to the field Saturday after serving a four-game suspension for receiving impermissible benefits. Fellow DB Kendric Burney will miss one more game as he finishes a six-game suspension.

On Saturday, UNC announced that fullback Devon Ramsay was being held out of the Clemson game due to information gathered last week as part of the on-going NCAA investigation into possible agent extra benefits and academic misconduct. If Ramsay is indeed to found to be ineligible, UNC’s first two wins of the season could be vacated because they used a player who was not eligible.