Valvano Dropped as Final 4 Speaker
Red-faced state officials have yanked a speaking invitation for embattled basketball Coach Jim Valvano to keynote a Final Four banquet April 1 and are scrambling to find a new headliner for the show.
The dinner is designed to showcase Colorado for politicians and tycoons attending college basketball’s premier event in Denver.
Valvano, head coach at North Carolina State University, faces a possible grand jury investigation into allegations ranging from recruiting violations to point-shaving by a former player.
He was to be paid $5,000 to speak at the banquet until University of Colorado officials decided Tuesday to take back the invitation made three months ago by state economic development officials.
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