Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 7, 1990 TAG: 9004070116
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RALEIGH, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
"Coach made an offer earlier today to tear up his current contract and remain at the university for a year," said attorney Palmer Sugg. "That offer was rejected. We are back to negotiating a monetary settlement.
"It's not unrealistic to assume that a settlement will be reached over the weekend," he said.
Sugg said Friday's day-long negotiations were carried on by telephone. He declined to characterize the mood of the talks beyond saying, "Everybody's willing to negotiate."
Attorney Woody Webb, who also represents Valvano, said earlier that the proposal was for more than N.C. State's initial $106,500 buyout offer and less than the $500,000 buyout clause in Valvano's contract.
Valvano worked in his office most of Friday, but declined to comment on the negotiations. He said he would be attending a basketball clinic in Pittsburgh during the weekend.
"They have made it abundantly clear for quite a while they are intent on forcing him out," Sugg said.
Sugg said he had talked with Valvano late Friday afternoon and that the coach was "disappointed."
"But he's a realist," Sugg said. "They don't want him, and they are his employers."
Valvano guided the Wolfpack to the 1983 NCAA Tournament championship with an upset victory over Houston. Though he has not been implicated in any wrongdoing, he has been under pressure to resign since N.C. State was placed on two years probation by the NCAA because players sold complimentary basketball shoes and tickets.
Valvano came under more pressure recently when one of his former players, Charles Shackleford, now with the NBA's New Jersey Nets, admitted accepting loans while playing at State. The admission could cost the school up to $1 million in postseason revenues because accepting loans is an NCAA violation. The State Bureau of Investigation also is investigating allegations that former players may have shaved points to help gamblers.
Larry Monteith, the school's interim chancellor, has been deluged with letters and phone calls from fans urging him to keep the coach. Monteith has said he will have the final say on Valvano's fate.
Fans also have sent letters criticizing Monteith to Valvano; about 500 are piled in the coach's office.
One letter, from a graduate of ACC rival North Carolina, said Valvano and his program "have brought a tremendous amount of good to the university system and also to the ACC and NCAA."
Several letters questioned the fate of football coach Dick Sheridan should Valvano be removed.
"I cannot help but wonder if Coach Sheridan and other members of the athletic programs feel somewhat demoralized," said a letter from a State faculty member. "If alleged statements can result in their termination, they must feel very insecure at this point."
A retired Army colonel suggested the trustees resign if Valvano is forced out.
"I want my tax dollars to go to a guy with GUTS!!" the letter said.
by CNB