Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 30, 1990 TAG: 9003300851
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RALEIGH, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
"The special meeting is called to consider a personnel matter and possible litigation involving North Carolina State University," said Asa Spaulding, secretary of the UNC Board of Governors.
But Jim Valvano's attorney Woody Webb of Raleigh voiced fear that Monday's meeting could spell the end of negotiations on Valvano's contract.
"I'm just hopeful that it's not a definite end to the negotiations," Webb said. "That would not in my opinion be in either party's best interests."
Webb Thursday pressed for a hearing with university officials as school lawyers rejected a proposal to retain Valvano.
"We're having a hard time bringing any decision-maker to the table," said Webb.
Webb said he hoped the board would allow Valvano to speak Monday, noting that attorneys for the school had told him the board would meet if the talks reached an impasse.
"They said they could do that and they would do it if things didn't resolve themselves," he said. "I don't know if [school attorneys are] seeking authority to do something or if the die is cast and they want to go fight."
Webb said the school has turned down Valvano's request to stay, with changes in the Wolfpack coach's contract.
The school has hired a private attorney, Howard Manning of Raleigh, to handle the talks. Manning is being assisted by Chief Deputy Attorney General Andy Vanore.
Manning, Vanore and N.C. State interim Chancellor Larry Monteith declined comment Thursday.
"There was no indication that they found my proposal attractive in any fashion," Webb said. "They had another idea in mind, another way of resolving this whole thing. Something besides [Valvano] staying on."
The school's trustees voted 9-3 last week to have Manning and Vanore find a way to sever ties with Valvano. The school's basketball program is under scrutiny over NCAA violations by players and allegations of point-shaving by former N.C. State players.
Webb said Valvano is willing to renegotiate his contract, including a $500,000 buyout clause that has become a sticking point in the talks. The clause calls for Valvano to pay the sum to the school if he takes another coaching job, or for the school to pay Valvano if he is fired without cause.
Webb said there's been "a discernible reluctance to honor" the $500,000 clause.
N.C. State is under NCAA probation because some players sold complimentary tickets and basketball shoes. Valvano said he did not know about the practice and was not personally held responsible by the NCAA.
Pressure for Valvano's removal increased when former player Charles Shackleford admitted accepting more than $60,000 in loans from two men - one a prospective sports agent - in violation of NCAA rules. Shackleford now plays for the New Jersey Nets.
Later, ABC News quoted an unidentified former player as saying he and other former players, including Shackleford, had helped gamblers fix the outcome of at least four games.
Investigators in North Carolina and New Jersey are pursuing the charges, denied by Shackleford. Valvano has not figured in the allegations.
by CNB