It seems academic fraud, illicit benefits and NCAA sanctions weren’t embarrassing enough for the North Carolina Tar Heels football program.
Head coach Larry Fedora was eventually hired to replace the ousted Butch Davis and interim coach Everett Withers to give the program a fresh slate. Instead, Fedora is going to be mired in yet another controversy within the program.
Allegations of hazing have been reported, according to Yahoo Sports.
“During the first week of August, redshirt freshman walk-on wide receiver Jackson Boyer was involved in an alleged physical altercation with multiple teammates in his room at the A-Loft hotel in Chapel Hill where the team was staying during fall camp. ... The incident allegedly left Boyer with a concussion,” sources told Yahoo Sports’ Eric Adelson and Pat Forde.
The university addressed the report.
“We are aware of an incident involving members of the UNC football team that took place earlier this month. We take this allegation seriously and the University is conducting a thorough review,” Kevin Best, North Carolina’s assistant athletic director for communications, told Yahoo Sports.
If the university finds the allegations to be true, the players involved should expect to be disciplined.
“The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is committed to fostering organizations that provide a positive and safe environment for new and existing members,” the UNC Office of the Dean of Students stated. “To that end, UNC expressly prohibits hazing or any activity that puts a student’s physical, emotional or psychological health and safety at risk. The Instrument of Student Judicial Governance defines hazing as action, ‘that causes or permits an individual, with or without consent, to engage in activities that subject that individual or others to risks of physical injury, mental distress, or personal indignities of a highly offensive nature, in connection with recruitment, initiation, or continued membership in a society, fraternity or sorority, club, or similar organized group, whether or not recognized by the University.’ ”
Since the school is still in the middle of the investigation, none of the names that allegedly committed the aforementioned act have been revealed.
The latest incident only adds to the concerns within North Carolina’s athletic department. The NCAA decided June 30 to reopen its investigation into academic irregularities after former UNC basketball player Rashad McCants confirmed the academic improprieties during ESPN’s Outside the Lines.
While these allegations hover over the athletic department, the football team must still prepare for its season opener against the Liberty Flames. The Tar Heels are considered a popular pick to win the ACC’s Coastal division. However, their season could eventually be interrupted by suspensions to multiple players due to foolish actions.