news-record.com

The National Collegiate Athletic Association isn't the only authority taking a close took at University of North Carolina football players.

The N.C. Secretary of State's office initiated an investigation this week.

It's not a rush-the-field publicity stunt by Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, who's running an underdog U.S. Senate campaign against incumbent Richard Burr. State law requires sports agents to register with her office and also prohibits unscrupulous conduct on their part.

It's illegal for agents to lure student-athletes by providing "anything of value" or giving them false promises and misleading information. A violation is a felony.

UNC officials have not disclosed the nature of the NCAA probe, but other reports indicate it targets possible improper contacts between two players and an agent. College athletes could lose their eligibility, and their university could be penalized, if financial arrangements existed. Similar investigations involving players at other schools reportedly are under way.

NCAA rules are meant to protect the integrity of collegiate athletics, which cynics suggest is a lost cause at a time when coaches earn millions, universities build palaces where alumni pay big money for season tickets, and billion-dollar television contracts give networks too much say in scheduling games.

With so much money flowing in every direction, some athletes naturally are tempted to help themselves to financial opportunities prematurely -- and shady agents are eager to offer them.

The state law is meant to protect the athletes. Among other things, it requires contracts to spell out in large, bold type that signing means the student-athlete loses eligibility to compete in his or her college sport.

More importantly, it requires agents to meet professional standards, beginning with registration. There should be an official record of who they are before they approach student-athletes. Furthermore, they should be held accountable for dishonest or unethical actions.

There is a lot at stake for young athletes. While some may have lucrative professional careers ahead of them, others could be seduced into making serious mistakes with severe consequences for themselves and their universities. The secretary of state's office has good reason to look into the conduct of agents who may be involved with UNC football players. If there have been violations, prosecution may be warranted.

The integrity of collegiate athletics may or may not be a lost cause, but the law is meant to protect individuals. It should be enforced.