The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543694
MARCH/APRIL 2026 ■ 29 and shoulders back.' So, whatever was said about me, especially in the media, I always did that." On February 21, North Carolina State announced that Chris Washburn would not return to the team in 1985. In a news release, Valvano said, "After consulting with the many professional people in- volved, I have concluded that Chris must concentrate on his community service ob- ligations and on his academic work." Valvano told reporters that Washburn would be expected to return to the team next season. "The university and our bas- ketball program will continue to support Chris Washburn in any and every way that we feel will be beneficial to his future." A couple of days later, state officials an- nounced they were considering whether to launch an investigation into the practice of admitting athletes with embarrassingly low grades into state colleges. Two mem- bers of the North Carolina General As- sembly wanted students to score at least 700 on the SAT before they were admitted to any university in the North Carolina system. "Anyone who cannot obtain a 700 on the SAT does not belong in a university," Representative Frank Rhodes told the press. "They should be in a vocational school." Representative John Church, chair- person of the House Higher Education Committee, said, "We ought not kill the possibility of someone becoming a great basketball player because he's having dif- ficulties with his studies. We can offer him tutoring, five years instead of four years of study, and that goes for any group of students." The Washburn case caused contro- versy in North Carolina as people debated Washburn's treatment by the courts and whether he should be allowed to play for the Wolfpack. Some felt that Washburn was being treated as a special individual instead of an ordinary citizen. Regardless of who he was, some citizens felt he did the wrong thing and should not have the special privileges he had before. The three-day jail sentence and community service work were not enough punishment, they be- lieved, to justify what he did. Supporters of Washburn, on the other hand, argued that stealing a stereo was not as bad as some other crimes. They also complained about the release of Washburn's SAT scores. Hardy D. Barry, the assistant vice chancellor at North Carolina State, acknowledged in a press interview that "some teachers at North Carolina State had misgivings about how the Washburn affair was handled and that Washburn had been 'unduly punished.' His privacy had been invaded. He's been made to seem like he is some kind of pa- riah. And, in fact, he's a conventional ath- lete." In an interview with The Raleigh News & Observer, Valvano admitted that the in- cident was hurting his team. "The aura or atmosphere of what's happening to Chris … detracts from what we're trying to ac- complish," Valvano explained. Slowly, the furor and attention over Washburn and his grades and the stolen stereo subsided as North Carolina State focused on the rest of the 1984-85 season. The 1985 season involved sixty-four schools playing in a playoff to determine the national champion. It was the first year the field was expanded to 64 teams from 53 in the previous year's tournament. It began on March 15. The Wolfpack were the third seed in the West. They beat Nevada in the first round 65-56. The Wolfpack continued their winning ways, beating UTEP in the second round, then topping Alabama in the regional semifinal. Without their star freshman, the Wolf- pack had reached the Elite Eight. Could another miracle run like the fabled 1983 Wolfpack team be in the works? It was not meant to be, as the Wolfpack lost the West Regional final to No. 1 seed St. John's. Villanova defeated Georgetown by a score of 66–64 to win its first-ever national championship, in what is considered by analysts to be one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. The Wolfpack had experienced an out- standing season and postseason tourna- ment. But for the team, it had also been a frustrating experience. ERNIE MYERS: "Our (1984-85) team was a good one. But if we could have had Chris Washburn playing, the season would have been outstanding, and he could have given us a shot at the national championship." With his suspension, Washburn sat out the year on the Wolfpack bench and had a chance to observe the 1985 season up close. It was frustrating to him as well. CHRIS WASHBURN: "I knew I could get out there and play. I knew I could help. So, it was frustrating every time we lost. I knew that if we lost anywhere between ten or fifteen points, I could have made those points up if I was playing. When I went into next year, I had a chip on my shoulder. I had something to prove." ■ " I had an aunt who would tell me, 'No matter what you do in life, keep your head up. You're too big to walk slumped over and your head down. Whatever you do in life, keep your head up and shoulders back.' So, whatever was said about me, especially in the media, I always did that." Chris Washburn COURTESY WILDBLUE PRESS