Heels' Burney, Williams get NCAA suspensions

University of North Carolina defensive backs Kendric Burney and Deunta Williams will have to sit out six and four games respectively and repay benefits received in order to become eligible to play again, according to a decision today by the NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff.

UNC announced the decision in a news release. Burney received $1,333 in benefits and must pay $575.19 to a charity of his choice. Williams, who received $1,426 in benefits, must pay $450.67 to a charity of his choice.

Both players already have sat out two games.

"We plan to appeal the length of the suspensions," said North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour. "While I respect the NCAA process, I believe the penalties to be unduly harsh given the individual circumstances in these cases."

University of North Carolina football student-athletes Kendric Burney and Deunta Williams must miss competition and repay benefits as a condition of becoming eligible to play again, according to a decision today by the NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff.

Burney, who received $1,333 in benefits, must miss six games and make repayment of $575.19 to a charity of his choice. Williams, who received $1,426 in benefits, must miss four games and make repayment of $450.67 to a charity of his choice. Both student-athletes already have sat out two games.

UNC declared both players ineligible for violations of NCAA agent benefits and preferential treatment rules. According to information submitted by the university, these benefits in part included trips to California, Atlanta and Las Vegas for Burney and two trips to California for Williams.

The majority of of the benefits Burney received were from an individual who meets the NCAA definition of an agent. According to NCAA rules, an agent is any individual who markets or promotes an athlete.

Williams' benefits consisted mostly of preferential treatment associated with visiting a former UNC football player.

The university can appeal the decision to the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, an independent panel comprised of representatives from NCAA member colleges, universities and athletic conferences. When a case is appealed, the athlete remains ineligible until the conclusion of the appeals process.

Ken Tysiac