PJ Hairston had a tumultuous off-season with arrests for reckless driving and speeding, as well as, questions surrounding rental cars he was driving. Roy Williams announced that he planned to suspend Hairston (although he has not said how many games he will not play) as opposed to dismissing the Tar Heels’ leading scorer from the team.
Jack Halperin, an academic tutor for Chapel Hill’s athletic department for 23 years, was not pleased with Williams’ handling of the situation. He felt Hairston’s off-court issues were enough to warrant being dismissed and resigned from the institution in protest.
Halperin wrote an open resignation letter to Williams that was published in the school’s newspaper.
“Roy, after 23 years as an academic tutor, and after going through the devastating football scandal, I am resigning in protest of your disgraceful decision to allow P.J. Hairston to remain on the team.
If I were arrested driving with no license, illegal drugs and a gun in a felon’s car, my employment at this University would end immediately.
Hairston’s DTH headline quote was, “I will play this season.” Since when does the criminal decide his fate?”
Criminal? Harsh words by the tutor. Seems like he’s salty about a lot more than a couple of speeding violations. If PJ and any other Tar Heel athlete was employed (like him) and compensated for the millions of dollars they bring to the institution, then maybe Halperin would have an argument.
While he’s out there pointing the finger and name calling, I wonder what skeletons are in his closet.