Around 23-hundred people have signed an online petition calling on the University of Minnesota to fire head football coach Tracy Claeys in the wake of a sexual assault investigation involving 10 of his players. Petition co-author Nancy Bitenc says the petition was inspired by her nine-year-old son, who is a Gopher fan…
U President Eric Kaler has acknowledged he’s seen the petition, but he hasn’t said what action if any will be taken.
University of Minnesota spokesman Chuck Tombarge in a statement responds:
Gopher Athletics Director Mark Coyle and University President Eric Kaler are aware of the petition and the spectrum of views that have been raised in the past weeks. Mark and the president share the expectation that our student-athletes not only show strength in competition and excellence in the classroom, but also that they uphold exemplary character and citizenship.
The University is committed to the safety of our campuses and creating a culture free of sexual violence, and we have been deeply heartened by the overwhelming support for the values we hold as a community.