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Whistleblower says this 148-word paper earned a UNC athlete an A-minus

(USA TODAY Sports)

(USA TODAY Sports)

Mary Willingham is a former learning specialist in the UNC Academic Support Program for Student Athletes, who was part of the administration which allegedly offered fake classes which allowed student-athletes to maintain their eligibility.

“These athletes were getting certified by compliance constantly,” Willingham said in an interview with ESPN. “That means they were looking at their transcripts, looking at their classes they were in and filling out the forms — so everybody knew.”

In the interview, Willingham showed a paper she says was written by a UNC student-athlete and received an A-minus.

(Screenshot/ESPN)

(Screenshot/ESPN)

 

The paper is under 150 words in length.

“This is not even close to college work yet this athlete was awarded an A-minus,” Willingham said.

Willingham said she became aware of classes students were taking,  dubbed “independent studies,” which required no attendance and a single paper to pass.

“That was an easy paper class, you know you could chill, get help writing it, you would get an easy B,”  Duenta Williams, a former UNC defensive back from 2007-2010 said.

“I feel let down and disappointed that something like this could take place. I feel angry at myself for allowing it, for having these blinders on.”

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