The University of Iowa has completed its investigation into whether some Hawkeye football players got cellphone equipment in exchange for tickets to ballgames. U-of-I spokesman Steve Parrott. Parrott says the issue was whether the players got anything of value in return for the tickets, and he says the university’s general counsel found no evidence of that.
Parrott says the players did let the former cellphone company employee come to a game. Parrott says the cellphone employee was a friend and did come to a couple of ballgames, but he says the cellphone equipment the players received was no different from what other cellphone customers received. Parrott says the people who get passes to the ballgames are well documented. He says people don’t get paper tickets, but the player can leave the person’s name, and that person then has to show an I-D and sign to get into the games. Parrott says the cellphone employee was listed as a guest for a couple of the players.
Parrott says this will end the issue, except for a request by Iowa President David Skorton. He says President Skorton has asked the athletic department to reemphasize to athletes the policy on free tickets. Parrott says Hawkeye fans should also take a cautionary note from this whole situation.
Parrott says fans should know that the athletes have to live by the rules of the Big Ten and N-C-A-A and you may want to give something to the athletes, but your gift may be against the rules. Parrott says if there’s any doubt, you should ask before you take any action. He says fans should remember that the things they try to do might impact the eligibility of athletes, and Parrott says if you have any questions, call the athletic department and ask about the rules.
Related web sites:
U-of-I report on cellphone gifts