Aug. 22--As it faces two lawsuits and an investigation into sports programs, Illinois has hired a consulting firm led by former Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe, according to the News-Gazette.
A $50,000 one-year contract details that the firm was hired earlier this month to assist the school to "prevent, identify and appropriately respond to misconduct," the report said.
Illinois has been sued by seven former women's basketball players for racial discrimination and also by a women's soccer player for mishandling her concussion.
The university also hired a Chicago law firm to investigate claims made by a former football player about being mistreated. That review has not yet concluded.
sryan@tribpub.com
