Aug. 11--The National College Players Association is calling for NCAA president Mark Emmert to meet with former Illinois players who have claimed mistreatment by coaches and waive transfer rules.
Ramogi Huma, who leads the player advocacy group, said in a letter to Emmert that transfer rules requiring athletes to sit out a season should not apply to athletes in Illinois' football, women's basketball and women's soccer programs who have alleged their coaches mistreated injuries and verbally abused them.
The football program is currently being investigated by a Chicago law firm hired by the university to determine whether allegations by some former players are legitimate.
A separate investigation into racial hostility by seven women's basketball players cleared coach Matt Bollant, former assistant Mike Divilbiss and athletic director Mike Thomas of wrongdoing. The university still faces a lawsuit by those players claiming the school violated the Civil Rights Act.
Casey Conine, a former soccer player, is suing the school for mishandling her concussion.
Huma cites similar transfer waivers granted at Rutgers and Penn State following scandals.
Sryan@tribpub.com
