The lead story on WRAL News, April 7, 1990 was the resignation of NCSU Basketball coachJim Valvano. The news consumed the “A” block, or first segment of the newscast.
Valvano was a charismatic, popular coach who encouraged and inspired his players to a remarkable win of the NCAA Basketball Championship in 1983. The team was referred to as the “Cardiac Pack” due to their buzzer beater wins that advanced them to the next bracket toward the championship.
Controversy grew from accusations in a book, Personal Fouls, by Peter Golenbock. A 1989 NCAA investigation cleared Valvano. Six separate entities investigated Valvano and the NC State basketball program including the NC State Faculty Senate, the North Carolina Attorney General, the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, the NC State Board of Trustees, and the NCAA. None of them found any recruiting or financial improprieties. Under subsequent pressure from the school’s faculty and Chancellor, Valvano negotiated a settlement with NC State and resigned as basketball coach.