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Valvano says he’s innocent of State*Coach’s Wolfpack days may be nearing an end with new problemsRALEIGH (AP) — A hero’s welcome awaited Jim Valvano, who, after a week of allegations, continues to maintain his innocence even as he entertains the notion that his coaching days at North Carolina State may be nearing an end.“I wish people would start to fix the blame where it ought to go,” Valvano said Saturday, echoing earlier statements. ‘‘That does not mean I’m trying to absolve myself of responsibility since I’m the head basketball coach ... but that does not include culpability.”At Raleigh-Durham Airport,women at ticket counters shouted greetings, travelers hollered theirsupport, and a skycap told him “it would be an honor” as he picked up his bag and waved off Valvano’s attempts to help.“And that’s how most of the people have been, let me tell you, around the country as I’ve traveled.” Valvano said.Although Valvano’s never been accused of involvement in the myriad problems that have faced the Wolfpack, he’s been hammered by editorials calling for his dismissal. Saturday, three major North Carolina newspapers joined the fray, and the New York Post reported that Valvano had authorized his attorney, Art Kaminsky, to deal him out of the remaining three years of his 10-year contract.When he returned to Raleigh Friday, Valvano said he intended to meet with university officials. Saturday, he said, “No, I have not, nor am I planning to meet with anyone.”He would not say, however, whether Kaminsky had met with school officials.Meanwhile, The Charlotte Observer quoted former N.C. State manager John Simonds as saying the former Wolfpack player who anonymously made point-shaving allegations to ABC News this week had told him thesame thing two months ago.Simonds, the primary source for the book about N.C. State called “Personal Fouls,” wouldn’t identify the player, but he said he was told more than one person had paid players toproblemsshave points, including New Jersey businessman Robert Kramer.“He mentioned Kramer and several others, but I’m not in a position to really comment on that until the police and the local agencies finish what they’re doing,” Simonds said. “According to this player and what I know, Mr. Kramer had business friends that also partook.”Simonds said that last fall, when he claimed at a Raleigh news conference that “bombshell” information remained uncovered about N.C. State, he was talking about point-shaving.In an interview at the airport Friday, Valvano repeatedly pointed to the unfairness of contentions that he should haveknown about trouble on the
Newspaper Details
New Bern Sun Journal
New Bern, North Carolina, US
Sat, Mar 03, 1990
Page 14
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
WV, USA 04 May 2020
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