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Friersoniii, Joseph (ATHENS, GA)
Friday, October 08, 2010 11:11 AM
Thorp, Hoiden
Support for Coach Davis
I am a former tennis player at UNC (1992) and had the privilege of spending a good deal of time with
Mr. Baddour as he had responsibilities with ACC Tennis back in those days. I love Carolina. I loved
my academic, social and athletic experience in Chapel Hill. I would not change my experience in any
way.
However, I am embarrassed, as you are, by the actions of a few individuals on our football team. They
have stained a pristine reputation that was predicated on decades of integrity and achievement.
In spite of this debacle, I fully support Coach Davis. In saying that, however, I do believe in
accountability. He has to take a look at the quality of student-athlete he is recruiting and whether
they are the right fit for the way WE do things at Carolina. But, I do not blame Coach Davis for the
predicament we are in. How could you?
The academic transgressions occurred in a completely segregated department of the University. A
rogue tutor went outside the bounds of protocol. Coach Davis cannot possibly be blamed for secret
meetings/emails/activities occurring in a particular class.
I am troubled by the John Blake issue. But Coach Davis cannot possibly be expected to know the wire
transfer history of all of his coaches. Perhaps if John Blake was driving a new Maserati to practice,
there would be expectations of accountability, but I do not expect Coach Davis to know about wire
transfers to pay for Blake's children's education.
Yes, Coach Davis needs to modify how he acts as CEO of the football program. However, he has a
sterling record of compliance and integrity after cleaning up a culture of corruption at Miami. His
record there speaks volumes to his ethical foundation. Surely, a career of principled achievement is
not going to be marred by the selfish actions of a few individuals within his program.
I am certain you are being bombarded with emails from all sides of this issue. Count this former
student-athlete as firmly on Butch Davis' side.
Wishing for better days in Chapel Hill,
Joe
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