Player Advocacy Group Wants Mike Thomas, Tim Beckman, Others Fired At Illinois
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — An advocacy group for college athletes wants the University of Illinois to fire athletic director Mike Thomas, football coach Tim Beckman and others who have been the target of complaints and two lawsuits by former athletes alleging sometimes abusive treatment.
Ramogi Huma is executive director of the National College Players Association. In a letter sent Thursday to Urbana-Champaign campus Chancellor Phyllis Wise and obtained by The Associated Press, he called on her to fire Thomas, Beckman, women's basketball coach Matt Bollant and others.
Seven former women's basketball players have sued, alleging racist behavior by coaches. Three former football players have lodged complaints about their treatment, too. And a former women's soccer player has filed suit over medical treatment.
A university spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.