Watch Unverified: The Untold Story Behind the UNC Scandal

Unverified: The Untold Story Behind the UNC Scandal is a documentary film that was released in 2016. It explores the academic scandal that rocked the University of North Carolina's athletic department in the early 2010s. The film features interviews with a number of key figures involved in the scandal, including former UNC football coach Butch Davis, former UNC basketball player Rashad McCants, and ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. Additionally, the film includes footage from news conferences, court hearings, and other events related to the scandal.

The scandal at UNC involved allegations of academic fraud within the school's Department of African and Afro-American Studies. Specifically, it was alleged that numerous student-athletes were encouraged to enroll in "paper classes" - courses that did not meet regularly and required little to no work - in order to maintain their eligibility to play sports at the school. It was also alleged that some students were given high grades for work that was never completed.

The film explores the origins of the scandal and how it came to light. It also delves into the institutional culture at UNC that allowed the fraud to occur and go unchecked for so long. Interviews with former athletes and students shed light on the pressure that student-athletes face to perform and how that pressure can lead them to make poor academic choices.

Throughout the film, the various figures involved in the scandal offer their perspectives on what happened and why. Coach Davis, for example, denies any knowledge of the fraud and suggests that he was unfairly blamed for the actions of others. McCants, on the other hand, admits to taking paper classes and suggests that the scandal was a symptom of larger problems within college athletics.

The film also explores the legal fallout from the scandal. Several lawsuits were filed against UNC, and the NCAA conducted an investigation that ultimately resulted in no sanctions against the school. The film raises questions about the effectiveness of the NCAA's enforcement processes and whether they are able to adequately police their member institutions.

Overall, Unverified: The Untold Story Behind the UNC Scandal is a thought-provoking look at a major scandal in college athletics. By examining the various perspectives involved, the film offers a nuanced view of what happened and why. It also raises larger questions about the role of academics in college sports and the pressures faced by student-athletes. Fans of college sports, as well as anyone interested in issues of ethics and corruption, will find much to think about in this documentary.