One of the more astounding aspects of the scandal that has enveloped the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and its athletics program is how willing the powers-that-be have been to throw academics under the proverbial bus.

Whether Chancellor Holden Thorp, former Gov. Jim Martin and his alleged independent investigation, or the UNC Board of Governors, pretty much every one in a position of authority appears willing to put the blame on an academic department rather than point fingers at the athletics department.

Tarnishing the university’s academic reputation apparently is a price to be paid if it means keeping critical eyes off of athletics.

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