The North Carolina board of trustees convened an emergency meeting on Monday to deliberate possible legal avenues to assist wide receiver Tez Walker in his pursuit of playing this college football season.
The closed session transpired just four days after the NCAA rejected Walker’s final appeal for eligibility in the 2023 season.
Though not explicitly stated on the official agenda, Tar Heels coach Mack Brown disclosed during his regular news conference that the meeting had been called with Walker’s situation in mind.
“We need to all get in the same room and figure out what’s best for the young man,” Brown said. “These people are concerned and want to help him. I’m proud of that.”
The meeting, attended by Coach Brown and athletic director Bubba Cunningham, sought to address the intricate challenge faced by Tez Walker, who has been battling the NCAA’s recent restrictions on multiple-time transfers.
Mack Brown joined the #UNC Board of Trustees for an emergency meeting on Monday to explore options for Tez Walker. Though the board members did not refer to Walker by name, they told media afterwards that they’re “keeping all options on the table.” More:https://t.co/Pn6aiBPNuG pic.twitter.com/hgRJiTvrdZ
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) September 11, 2023
Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz affirmed that the board received input from both in-house and external legal experts, but he emphasized that no decisions have been made, and discussions are ongoing.
“This was an important meeting where we received some legal updates that will help inform us as we do everything possible to support our student-athletes,” Guskiewicz stated.
The saga began on January 11th, just two days after Walker started at the University of North Carolina, when the NCAA declared a strict stance on waivers for two-time transfers.
The Division I Council unanimously approved these guidelines, asserting that “multiple-time transfers who cannot demonstrate and adequately document a personal need for medical or safety reasons to depart the previous school are not eligible to compete immediately following their second undergraduate transfer.”
Walker, supported by North Carolina, contended that his decision to transfer to the Tar Heels was necessitated by mental health challenges he faced at Kent State, driving him to seek proximity to his home in Charlotte.
They also argued that since his tenure at NC Central was marked by the cancellation of the season due to the pandemic, he should not be categorized as a two-time transfer.
As the discussions persist, the future of Tez Walker’s college football career remains uncertain. The North Carolina board of trustees and its legal advisors are working diligently to explore options that could potentially grant Walker the opportunity to take the field this season.
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