NCAA allegations against UNC are rare

The fact that the NCAA is asking questions of the North Carolina football program is news because such situations are rare. The NCAA’s Division I Committee on Infractions publicizes its final reports, and a Google search showed the only time UNC popped up in recent memory came in field hockey.

The infraction? It was “failure to adhere to bench area policies at the championship event of the 2009 NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship,” according to a Feb. 23 NCAA release.

In fact, the NCAA was so irate it said it was “disappointed” in the UNC team and fined the school a whopping … $300.

The football situation could be much more serious. If UNC prospects like Marvin Austin were accepting gifts from agents, that’s a clear NCAA violation and could result in suspension. That would hurt Carolina on the field, of course, but it would also be a dent in the image the Heels look to convey.

The National Football Post is reporting Austin may be suspended for the year, but keep in mind this is a website that is not crediting any sources. Where all this lands remains to be seen.