CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois fired athletic director Mike Thomas on Monday, saying he had done nothing wrong but a change was needed after football and women’s basketball players alleged they had been mistreated by their coaches.
Thomas, who will be paid $2.5 million to buy out the remainder of his contract, said he believes he acted appropriately but accepts the decision.
Thomas is the latest high-profile leader to be swept aside in the turmoil at the university’s flagship campus this year, following the resignation of one of his top backers, chancellor Phyllis Wise, and the August firing of football coach Tim Beckman.
The school also released final reports on independent investigations into the players’ allegations.
The football report found that Beckman pressured players to play hurt and interfered in medical decisions, echoing details that were disclosed when he was fired, but the women’s basketball investigation found no evidence of racially motivated player mistreatment as alleged by seven former players.
Interim chancellor Barbara Wilson praised Thomas for leading the athletic department through a difficult six months, but said the university’s sports programs needed a fresh start. She declined to offer details on exactly why she decided to fire Thomas.
The move leaves hiring decisions still to be made on a head football coach, where Bill Cubit is serving on an interim basis, athletic director and their boss, the chancellor.
Senior associate athletic director Paul Kowalczyk will take over for Thomas as interim athletic director. He said he planned to quickly meet with coaches on campus and with major donors and business partners to try to assure them that the sports programs and projects such as the renovation of the State Farm Center basketball arena are on track.
For the women’s basketball program, the report said claims that against coach Matt Bollant and an assistant created a racially abusive environment were unfounded.
Tickets sold for Lima Senior vs. LaSalle
Pre-Sale tickets for Lima Senior’s playoff football game at 7:30 p.m. Friday against LaSalle will be on sale Wednesday from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. Tickets will also be sold Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 to 5 p.m.. Tickets will be sold Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Tickets will be sold in the Lima Senior athletic department via the activities entrance.
Pre-Sale tickets are $8 for both students and adults. All tickets sold at the gate are $9.
The game will be played at Kettering Fairmont’s Roush Stadium, 3301 Shroyer Road, Kettering.
Buckeye Charter offers bus to Kettering
Buckeye Charter will provide a charter bus for Lima Senior’s playoff football game at Kettering Fairmont’s Roush Stadium Friday night. Tickets for the bus will be $15 and can be purchased at the Lima Senior athletic department via the activities entrance from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
The charter bus has a 55-passenger limit.
LCC’s Walton to sign with Northern Kentucky
Lima Central Catholic forward Dantez Walton will sign this week to play basketball at Northern Kentucky University.
Walton helped the T-Birds to the 2014 state championship and state runner-up trophy last season.
O’G’s Hermiller to sign with Owens CC
Ottawa-Glandorf standout volleyball player Olivia Hermiller will be signing a letter-of-intent to play at Owens Community College this week.
Twins win bidding for rights to Korean slugger
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins have won the bidding for negotiating rights to Byung Ho Park, a 29-year-old first baseman who totaled 105 home runs over the past two seasons in the hitter-friendly Korea Baseball Organization.
The 6-foot-1, 194-pound Park batted .343 in 2015 with 53 home runs and 146 RBI in 140 games with 161 strikeouts.
