There will surely be more in-depth analysis of the Martin Report, but here are some related comments and initial responses since it’s release this morning.
Full 74-page document here.
Holden Thorp (WTVD):
“The hard questions have been asked and today we’re here to get the answers.”
Jim Martin (WRAL):
“(There is) no confirmation for speculation that the Academic Support Program for Student-Athletes academic counselors colluded with instructors or administrators to offer anomalous course sections for the benefit of student athletes,” the report stated.
Butch Davis (WRAL):
For the past two years, a few loud voices in this community have clamored that Butch Davis has somehow tarnished the reputation of the University of North Carolina. The Martin Report has confirmed that just the opposite is true.
Governor Martin expressly found that this was “not an athletic scandal as originally speculated,†and no coach had “anything to do†with it. He further found that these practices were set in place a decade before Butch Davis arrived in Chapel Hill.
Separate investigations by UNC, the NCAA, and Governor Martin have now unanimously concurred with what those who have worked with Coach Davis already knew: He has always valued education, and he has consistently honored the letter and spirit of the rules.
Mark Armstrong, WTVD (@ArmstrongWTVD):
I respect the volume of data the investigation sifted through, but minus any discussion of ‘why?’ With Nyang’oro et al, it seems incomplete
Andrew Carter, N&O (@_andrewcarter):
The word “athlete” appears in the report 157 times. Lots of mentions for a report that concluded this wasn’t an athletic scandal.
Andrew Carter, N&O (@_andrewcarter):
Watching this Martin report trustees meeting, I’ve really been struck by amount of joking around/laughing. Just seems odd and out of place.
Austin Johnson, Pack Pride (@austin_johnson):
It seems like Jim Martin spent months fact-checking previous UNC press releases and then copying them into his report.
David Morrison, Greensboro News & Record (@willbrinson):
Gov. Martin’s report is described as “impressive” and “thorough” by a board member who hasn’t really read it yet. Mmmhmm.
Statefansnation (@statefansnation):
The review found 216 courses with proven or potential problems. Really? 216!?! Does it get any more perfect than that?
More to come.
In the meantime, go check out a number of ongoing discussions on the SFN Forums.