Gophers Football Players to Boycott Bowl Game Over Suspensions

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — University of Minnesota Gophers football players announced Thursday the team will boycott the Holiday Bowl unless their demands regarding the suspension of 10 of their teammates are met. Gophers wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky read a statement during a press conference as his team, including the 10 suspended players, stood behind him.

"The boycott will remain in effect until due process is followed and the suspensions for all 10 players involved are lifted," Wolitarsky said.

The Star Tribune reported that the school suspended 10 players indefinitely from all team activities Tuesday.

The suspensions were the result of the university's office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action filing a report that recommended five players be expelled, four suspended for a year and one placed on probation, the Pioneer Press reported.

Some of the players suspended this week were accused by a female student in an alleged sexual assault case in September. The alleged assault took place after the Gophers beat Oregon State in their season opener at TCF Bank Stadium.

Gophers head coach Tracy Claeys suspended four players in the following game against Indiana State. The case resulted in no arrests or criminal charges.

Wolitarsky asked for an apology Thursday from university President Eric Kaler and athletic director Mark Coyle. He said the players "demand that these leaders are held accountable for their actions."

When asked if he feared the players might lose their scholarships, Wolitarsky said: "We’re all in this together. What are they going to do, pull 120 guys off the team? They won’t have a team if that’s the case."

"All these kids’ reputations are destroyed," Wolitarsky said, speaking of the 10 suspended players. "Their names are destroyed, and it’s extremely difficult to get back, and it’s very unfair for them and that’s why we’re sticking together through this thing."

In a statement, Mark Neville, executive director of the National Funding Holiday Bowl, said: "We are aware of the situation at the University of Minnesota and are monitoring it closely."

A tweet from Claeys sent Thursday appeared to show support for the players' boycott.

Among the players suspended is Antoine Winfield Jr., the son of former Minnesota Vikings player Antoine Winfield Sr. Winfield Sr. attended Thursday's press conference. "If the president and athletic director keep their jobs, my son, Antoine Winfield Jr., will not attend the University of Minnesota," he told the Star Tribune.

After Thursday's press conference Kaler and Coyle issued a joint statement on the suspensions: "The reality is that not everyone can have all of the facts, and unfortunately the University cannot share more information due to federal laws regarding student privacy," the statement read. "We fully support our Gopher football players and all of our student-athletes. Situations like this are always difficult and the decision was made in consultation with and has the full support of President Eric Kaler. The decision was based on facts and is reflective of the university’s values."

Image via A Syn, Flickr, used under Creative Commons