From: grimlok@hubcap.clemson.edu (Mike Percy)
Subject: Some good news for Clemson
Organization: Clemson University
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 15:20:10 GMT

I've posted here before outlining the charges against Clemson and our
basketball program.  This week, CU representatives meet with the NCAA in
Kansas City and we should be hearing from the Committee with 4-6 weeks.
The investigative people have recommended that Clemson not receive teh
"death penalty", but it's always up to the Committee.  Given the
circumstances (the extremely minor nature of the violations, the new
program in place at CU (instated after problems with the football team 3
years ago, but too late to prevent some of the bball infractions), the
thoroughness with which CU has self-investigated -- turning up at least
3 more violations than the NCAA investigators found, and the self
imposed penalties) it would seem that CU should fare well.

The good news -- two items:

Eight players involved in improper use of tickets have had their
eligibilty reinstated.  There was some question that the Committee might
deny them eligibility.  The players will still face a CU imposed 1 game
suspension (spread out so the CU may still field a team), with one
player likely to receive a 2 game suspension (the players all remain
unnamed currently).

Wayne Buckingham, whose transcripts from two high schools showed
discrepencies, and whom this whole investigation first focused on, will
retain his eligibility.  Buckingham and his lawyer met with the
Committee eralier this week on specific charges that Buckingham lied to
the investigators.  If true, his remaining eligibility would be
forfeited.  However, the Committee apparantly felt that the "lies" were
merely the result of two investigators asking the same question
different ways and getting slightly different answers -- one interview
was recorded the other just had notes taken.  It was also emphasized is
CU's response that Buckingham had already told the truth in a number of
other interviews, when the truth might have caused him and the program
serious trouble, so what reason would he have to lie about anything?
That is, he was already facing loss of eligibility, and the program was
already facing the death penalty, and his truthful responses so far were
part of the reason -- why lie subsequently?

Buckingham was a reserve in his freshman year behind Elden Campbell and
Dale Davis.  Since it was determined he should have been a
partial-qualifier under Prop. 48, he was forced to sit out his sophomore
year.  His junior year saw him medical redshirt after blowing out a knee
in a pre-season scrimmage (he played two minutes in one early game, but
it was evident he wasn't going to make the season).  It's good news that
CU should finally have two big men in Sharon Wright and Buckingham.
We're already at the bottom, anything more would be a kick in the head.

As Curtis put it, CU could up and create a fourth tier.  But I hope our
young team from last year (who played some close games against FSU and
Duke, and managed to even win some we shouldn't have) can get focused in
the face of pending disaster and do better.  Coach Cliff Ellis will surely
have to do something now to prove his value and that he can hold onto
the players he recruits.

Mike Percy             | grimlok@hubcap.clemson.edu  | I don't know about
Sr. Systems Analyst    | mspercy@clemson.clemson.edu | your brain, but mine
Info. Sys. Development | mspercy@clemson.BITNET      | is really...bossy.
Clemson University     | (803) 656-3780              | (Laurie Anderson)