Okay, let's take this as a lesson in what happens in an instant media age.
On Monday evening, senior CB Kendric Burney went before the honor court to address an academic infraction. The results of the honor court are not made public but Burney himself told WCTI-12 that he would be eligible if he picked up a class on Tuesday. Burney apparently told other people he was cleared and would play vs Miami on Saturday which made its way to the message boards. The news Burney was cleared was tweeted by WCHL1360, picked up by this blog and reported as such. That has turned out to not be the case.
First of all, I apologize for reporting erroneous information on this blog. Consider this a retraction of the previous post.
Secondly, here is what is really going on.
According to UNC's Kevin Best(via DTH sports editor Jonathan Jones), Burney's status remains unresolved.
Kevin Best tells me that Burney will not be adding a class this late in the semester. He wants to end the rumors. Issue is still unresolved
So what is happening here? Obviously if Burney needs to add a class it means the honor court gave him a failing grade in a previous one. That means he is short the number of hours he needs to meet certain NCAA academic requirements to be eligible to play football.
UPDATE: These are the likely the NCAA regulations causing issues for Burney considering he is a fifth year senior.
14.1.8.1.3 Exception—Final Semester/Quarter. A student-athlete with athletics eligibility remaining may participate in organized practice sessions while enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student is enrolled in the final semester or quarter of the baccalaureate program and the institution certifies that the student is carrying (for credit) the courses necessary to complete the degree requirements, as determined by the faculty of the institution
That one deals with practice, this one deals with competition.
14.1.8.2.1.3 Final Semester/Quarter. A student-athlete may compete while enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student is enrolled in the final semester or quarter of the baccalaureate program and the institution certifies that the student is carrying (for credit) the courses necessary to complete degree requirements. The student granted eligibility under this provision shall be eligible for any NCAA championship and for any postseason licensed bowl game or National Invitation Tournament that begins within 60 days following said semester or quarter, provided the student has not exhausted the five years for completion of the individual’s four seasons of eligibility (see Bylaw 14.2). Thereafter, the student shall forfeit eligibility in all sports, unless the student completes all degree requirements during that semester or quarter and is eligible to receive the baccalaureate diploma on the institution’s next degree-granting date. The Legislative Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief may waive the 60-day requirement for instances in which an NCAA championship, postseason licensed bowl game or National Invitation Tournament is conducted at the conclusion of the traditional playing season but begins more than 60 days following the end of said term. (Revised: 1/10/92, 1/16/93, 1/10/95, 2/1/05, 11/1/07 effective 8/1/08)
So if Burney is only taking the number of hours needed for graduation and now he needs more because he lost a class via an honor court ruling then he is no longer eligible because he is not "carrying(for credit) the courses necessary to complete degree requirements."
--
At this point in the semester I do not think it is possible to add a class, that is something only UNC can fully answer. One question to ask if why did Burney conclude adding a class was possible if it wasn't? Is it possible Burney prematurely telling people upset the apple cart and outed what was supposed to be a private process by which UNC and the NCAA work on an agreement to get Burney on the field? If so, Burney's exuberance might be his undoing. Given the media scrutiny I can see how resolving the issue in such a way that allows Burney to play forces UNC to account for the process. Whereas if Burney goes to the honor court, is found guilty, received an F then UNC discusses it with the NCAA and makes an arrangement with them for Burney to play then all UNC has to do is put out a press release saying Burney is clear while using privacy laws as a means of not talking about how the sausage is made.
If I had to guess, I would say that this has become a bit of a PR issue which might make it difficult for UNC to get Burney on the field.