FBI Investigating Threat To The Grove

((HT: University of Mississippi))

Here's the note from the school in its entirety:

A handwritten note threatening damage to trees and shrubs in the Grove at the University of Mississippi and signed "Hail State/Go to Hell TSUN" was turned over to the Jackson office of the FBI today (Nov. 26) by UM Police Chief Calvin Sellers.

The note, which arrived on campus late Tuesday (Nov. 25), said:

"What's going to happen to ya'll on the field Saturday Aint nothing compared to what's going to happen on your beautiful campus. You won't be one of the most pretty campus's Next year. A lot of shrubs and trees are going to die; especially in the grove. Can't stop us" (signed) "Hail State Go to Hell TSUN."

Law enforcement authorities are taking the threat seriously and are encouraging fans to report suspicious behavior, Sellers said. In addition, he said, law enforcement resources have been added to address fan safety inside and outside the stadium.

"This longtime football rivalry has separated families and friends for generations, but while it's spirited, our attention has been focused mostly on the football field," Sellers said. "We encourage everyone to remember that this is a game, after all, not a time for hate. We are hopeful that passions have not escalated to the point that someone is prepared to do damage to a landmark for which all Mississippians take great pride."

Just what the Ess-E-Cee needs on another rivalry weekend...

Another round of this...
((HT: Paul Finebaum Radio Network))


It's under investigation...

Bengals Devon Still Accused Of Not Paying Child Support

((HT: Local12/Cincinnati))

If true, one of the feel good stories of the NFL season has just gone down the crapper.

And when Gloria Allred is involved, you know there's going to be a lot of noise surrounding it.

Allred is the attorney for Channing Smythe, Devon Still's longtime girlfriend, who broke up with Still after his daughter Leah was born in 2010. Leah's fight with childhood cancer has received national attention through the Cincinnati Bengals keeping Devon Still on the roster so he could pay for her treatments under the NFL insurance policies.

Now, there's talk that Devon Still has been behind in his child support payments to Smythe. Allred is asking the league to investigate the claim that Smythe hasn't seen any money from Still since August.

An article in the New York Daily News' Michael O'Keeffe brought forth the allegation


Devon Still has released a statement:

"My daughter's battle with cancer has been inspirational to many all over the world. When she gets older, I want her to be able to look back and read about her positive impact on the world, not about the private issues her parents were going through. I am not going to retaliate against the mother of my daughter, and the untruthful reports in the New York Daily News article, by criticizing her character. I am going to continue to allow the court system to handle this matter, as it has been doing these past couple of months."

Derek Boogaard's Dad Goes Public

((HT: Sportsnet))

There's a new book out on the troubled life of NHL enforcer Derek Boogaard- the HQ encourages picking it up...

The Boogey Man's dad, Len, went on "Prime Time Sports" for the first time to discuss what he thinks happened to his son through the eyes of the National Hockey League...

Bottom line- he thinks his son's problems, mounting as he continued to play, were left and not addressed in a timely fashion...
Brett Popplewell addressed Boogaard's last days in the premier edition of Sportnet Magazine back in 2011. John Branch wrote in his book on Boogaard as Sportsnet reports: "Within a year, Derek would have teeth knocked out and be prescribed vast amounts of painkillers by team doctors.In another year, he would be in substance abuse rehabilitation. In another year, he would be in New York, rich and miserable and alone. And in another year, he would be dead."
Boogaard was diagnosed, after his death, with CTE and his father went on to do his own investigation surrounding his son's passing.

OSG High: Sayreville High FB Season Cancelled Amid Bullying Scandal

((HT: NJ.com/Stanmyre))

The HQ is (at the same time) disgusted, not surprised, and pretty pissed at what seems to be going down at Sayreville High In New Jersey at present.

The football team has won three titles in the last four years- but they won't win one this season since the school superintendent suspended the rest of their schedule (and the schedules of the middle school and junior varsity squads as well) after an investigation found:

"there was enough evidence to substantiate there were incidents of harassment, intimidation and bullying that took place on a pervasive level, on a wide-scale level, and at a level in which the players knew, tolerated and in general accepted."

Here's the latest from the high school


So we have alleged hazing that was out of control and, in a separate investigation, a coach resigned amid allegations of steroid possession.

Nice...

The investigation is ongoing and Sayreville's coaches and other school personnel are being told not to comment on a matter that is under review.

FSU Reopening Winston Title IX Investigation

((HT: ProFootballTalk))

Not surprising to the HQ at all, but this was the initial report OSG Sports gave on the Title IX investigation in and around the Florida State QB in the off-season.

It appears the university is now reopening the Title IX investigation that the alleged Winston rape victim requested at the time. Jameis Winston did not answer any questions in the initial investigation, so it was tabled.

The investigation was widely panned and the New York Times constructed all of the errors in one place.

The University responded to the New Yor Times piece and panned it in return...
((HT: CBSMiami))


Tha attorney for the accuser, John Clune, says that his client feels that the process is "moving forward" after his client was interviewed last month for an incident that happened in 2012:

"We expect that there will be code of conduct charges that will be brought," he told Rachel Axon of USA Today. "There's no basis not to bring those charges now."

During the criminal investigation, Winston (through his lawyers) maintained that the sexual contact was consensual.

But an on-campus Title IX investigation gets around the criminal complaint:

Decisions are made on a "preponderance of the evidence" and should, as a rule, take no longer than two months to complete. That would, then, make the decision public in the neighborhood of Week 10 of the college football season.

And could send the FSU football season into a tizzy for the next 8 weeks or so...

Got all that...???

DEVELOPING: UNC Under Hazing Investigation With Football

((HT: WRALSportsfan.com))

Yahoo!Sports Pat Forde and Eric Adelson have a story up centering an investigation of UNC's football team. A walk-on freshman, Jackson Boyer, was apparently involved in something that left him with a reported concussion. The incident happened allegedly during camp at a Chapel Hill hotel.

The school gave a statement through Kevin Best, North Carolina's assistant athletic director for communications- and that's it: “We are aware of an incident involving members of the UNC football team that took place earlier this month. We take this allegation seriously and the University is conducting a thorough review.”

The Tar Heels, were 7-6 last season, and start their 2014 campaign Saturday at home against Liberty.

Here's highlights of the Spring Game as the Tar Heels look forward to this season...


And, for the record...
Here's the school's hazing policy for the record...

OSG Prem: Was Vincent Tan Right The Whole Time...???

((HT: Sky Sports))

The prevailing thought was the Malky Mackay was the frontrunner for the vacant Crystal Palace manager's position. But in a quick turn of events, Mackay's offer was pulled from the table and his buddy, Iain Moody, CPFC's Sporting Director resigned in a hurry from his post.

Seems Tan sent a series of documents to the Football Association for review that show Mackay's alleged lack of tact, abusive, homophobic, bigoted language in e-mails, and lack of respect for the game- three things the FA doesn't take too kindly to... 70,000 e-mails and 100,000 texts worth while Mackay and Moody worked at Cardiff City.

The Daily Mail has the full story hyah...

Here's the update from Sky Sports


A statement from Palace about Moody read: "In light of the events of yesterday, sporting director Iain Moody has tendered his resignation and it has been accepted with immediate effect. There will be no further comment from the club on this matter."

Remember, Mackay launched a £7.5m legal claim against Tan for compensation and wrongful dismissal after he was sacked. But he dropped the claim in May and issued an apology to Tan.

Why, the HQ is unsure...

Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood is now the favorite to take over.
But, at the same time, Mackay is ready to defend himself in the matter...

New Mexico Cancels Women's Soccer Opener Over Hazing Investigation

((HT: KOB-TV))

This weekend was supposed to be the opening of the New Mexico Lobos women's soccer season- a home game against Texas Tech.

That got wiped off the board as the school is in the middle of an investigation of an alleged hazing incident from the weekend.

Here's the latest out of Albuquerque


The hazing investigation stems from allegations that the freshmen who have left the team are now making against the women's soccer program. A parent of one of the players who left and a lawyer now associated with the case have been retained by one of the players- both confirmed the allegations made in the case.

“We are continuing to interview student-athletes and investigate what happened on Sunday night,” UNM Vice President of Athletics Paul Krebs said when asked about the investigation. “I’ve consulted with Texas Tech, and in light of our continuing investigation, we have decided to cancel the game.”

The game won't count in the standings (as a win or a loss) since the 2014 NCAA Soccer Rulebook's Rule 7.4 states, "When a scheduled game is terminated before it begins, it is recorded as 'no contest.' Neither team is credited with a win or loss, regardless of the reason the game was terminated."

UNM women's soccer practice was canceled Tuesday and the first home game (now) is listed as being September 12th.

DEVELOPING: Notre Dame Maintains Football Suspensions for Now

((HT: WNDU-TV))

The investigation alleging academic fraud on the Notre Dame campus is taking on a life of its own at the moment.

Various media outlets are reporting everything from just suspension to expulsion as the investigation ensues.

The afternoon lent itself to a press conference where university President, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., and AD Jack Swarbrick tried to get out in front of the situation.

Reverend Jenkins looked uncomfortable discussing the violations of the student code and the unknown after-effects while Swarbrick was barely asked any questions- save the relaying that head football coach Brian Kelly was just as shocked as everyone else and that he wants the on-campus process to take its course.

Here's the early evening coverage from South Bend


Reverend Jenkins did, however, say that the school will forfeit wins if the school is found to have used ineligible players- dating back however many seasons would apply.

The South Bend Tribune's Notre Dame insider Bob Wieneke discusses the four players as well
The folks over at Campus Insiders discuss the roster losses at present as well...

Stanford Removes Strength Coach After Title IX Investigation

((HT: NBC Bay Area))

A Stanford University sports performance coach is out of a job after softball players reported allegations of sexual harassment within the program.

The school's Title IX coordinator investigated the softball team’s coaching and training staff and found a member of that staff created a "sexually hostile work environment."

The softball team’s head coach, John Rittman, resigned back in June.
But there has been no public connection to the investigation and his dismissal.

Here's Elyce Kirchner

Wojcik Fired From College of Charleston After Abuses Investigation

((HT: WCIV-TV Charleston))

College of Charleston head coach Doug Wojcik was fired from his position after two separate investigations centered around alleged abuses of basketball players during practices and games.

The college had suspended Wojcik for the entire month of August and required him to undergo counseling and behavior monitoring.

"I am writing today to let you know I have made the decision to terminate Head Men's Basketball Coach Doug Wojcik's employment at the College of Charleston for just cause, pursuant to the terms of his contract, effective immediately," school president Glenn F. McConnell said in a statement.

Wojcik, in a statement through his attorney, thought the school didn't go about their investigation in a proper manner:

"The College became so desperate to invent a reason to fire Coach Wojcik that it had some of the young men on the basketball team sign sworn affidavits, which we believe contain materially false statements. The College even got one of the incoming freshmen, who has never even played for Coach Wojcik, to swear under oath that he was physically abused by Coach Wojcik. The College's so-called second investigation was so focused on finding a way to avoid its contractual obligations, that the College completed the investigation and began termination proceedings against Coach Wojcik without even looking at the video of the incidents of alleged physical abuse. We were forced to release the video to the public to show that there was no physical abuse. There are many other examples of the College's attempt to create a reason to avoid its contractual obligations. They will come out at the appropriate time."

Here's Scott Eisberg with defense from Wojcik and his attorneys before today's dismissal
WCIV-TV | ABC News 4 - Charleston News, Sports, Weather

Sounds like Wojcik is far from done in a legal sense...

AD Joe Hull will be responsible for the program for the foreseeable future.

Vikes Priefer Suspended, Kluwe Still Looks To Sue

((HT: KSTP-TV))

Let's just say it got real in the Twin Cities with the Chris Kluwe-Mike Priefer allegations and investigations.

The Minnesota Vikings held their own investigation and have now suspended special teams coach Mike Priefer for three games- two if he successfully completes sensitivity training. Priefer, apparently, has been found out for lying about his involvement in the case from the beginning. He initially denied saying what he did to Vikings players, but has now come out admitting he said disparaging comments toward gays.

But the Vikings only say that Priefer said that kind of comment on one occasion.

Here's a quick look at the Vikes investigation


Kluwe is still planning to sue the Vikings on four separate charges next week- religious and sexual orientation discrimination, defamation and intentional interference with contractual negotiations.

He took to Twitter to drop a series of pipe bombs last night when the Vikes released their report. The comments included (and are mandatory reading, by the way):

Oooh, shall we talk about the time two very well known Vikings players were caught in a compromising situation with an underage girl?

Don't worry folks, you'll know when I'm on tilt. The Vikings clearly think turning this dirty will scare me off. Says all you need to know.

Also interesting how so many are willing to follow the Vikings' false lead with the leak about me, and not the admission of Priefer's guilt.

Interesting stat of the night. In a 29 page report, 3 pages deal with the actual subject.

Here's the paperwork from the Vikings
((HT: Deadspin))

Kluwe Investigation

CoC's Wojcik Caught Screaming At Staffer, Investigation Over For Now...

((HT: WCIV-TV))

Now, all we need is the decision from The College, but this new piece if information surfaced the other day.

Charleston TV station WCIV has the below video sent to them (NSFW) where current head coach Doug Wojcik was caught being a little more than loud to a college staff member about travel plans.
WCIV-TV | ABC News 4 - Charleston News, Sports, Weather

The investigation, according to Channel 4, is all verbal with Wojcik- nothing of a physical nature. Wojcik's attorney, Scott Tompsett, says his client isn't quitting and wants to fulfill his deal.

Obviously, the guy isn't just going to leave money on the table just because...

"Coach Wojcik cooperated with the College’s investigation and he accepted the College’s sanctions. As far as he’s concerned, the investigation is over. And Coach Wojcik has started making amends and working on correcting his actions, as set forth in President Benson’s decision. We’re hopeful the team will move forward with him toward a successful season in the Colonial Athletic Association.

"I’m speaking for myself when I say this; everyone deserves a chance to correct their mistakes. This is the first time the College received complaints, and it did the right thing by conducting a thorough investigation and bringing it to Coach Wojcik’s attention. He’s taken this very seriously, as he should. And since the investigation began right through to President Benson’s decision, he’s been cooperative and compliant. And like anyone else, Coach Wojcik deserves a chance to make things right."

College president Glenn McConnell came out with a very short statement early on in the process:

“The College of Charleston treats all personnel matters with the utmost seriousness. The College is committed to acting appropriately and responsibly to address any issues involving College personnel and students.”

Of Course... FIFA Dropped The Mexico Gay Slur Case

FIFA's disciplinary panel has decided that they won't take any action against the Mexico football federation after the "investigation" of fans using a chant against the rival team's goalkeeper in previous matches this tournament in Brazil.

The chant, which (once again) the HQ will not print, is used in Mexican leagues as a tradition- calling the keeper (loosely translated) a male whore when he executes a goal kick...

FIFA says the chant "is not considered insulting in this specific context"- whatever in the blue hell that actually means.

The president of the Mexican federation, Hector Gonzalez, was interviewed by ESPN FC's John Sutcliffe who (along with national coach Miguel Herrera) didn't think the chant was all that bad in the first place when the issue first came up...
((HT: ESPN))


The HQ would like to congratulate FIFA in reinforcing who they actually are to the rest of us..

Mexico Futbol Director Defends Indefensible Racist Chants

((HT: ESPN))

Earlier today, ESPN's John Sutcliffe interviewed Team Mexico's Director of National Teams Hector Gonzalez about the FIFA investigation of racist chants raining down from fans of El Tri in the Cameroon match.

The investigation centers around the use of the word "puto" - a gay slur that you'll have to look up yourself.

Gonzalez actually defended its use in stadia


Not to be outdone, team coach Miguel Herrera agreed- to ESPN:

"About the chants, we don't have anything to say, we are going to concentrate in working hard, that is what corresponds to us," Herrera said. "We support our fan base. They just do it to put pressure on the other goalkeeper.

"That chant was invented in the Mexican league by one team and all the Mexican fan base has adopted it, therefore I don't think it is something that serious.

"I think for us there is more important stuff to solve than a chant that is just an expression to put pressure on the other goalkeeper that has been taking place in Mexico since a long time ago."

The Mexican Federation is ultimately responsible for fan behavior and it looks like FIFA may come down hard if they can prove the words were used.

Or, to be more accurate, if FIFA want to find the evidence...

Donald Sterling Hires 4 PI's To Chase After Other NBA Owners

Yeah, this is getting pretty ugly...

Not that the HQ is surprised...

Embattled Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has apparently hired four private investigator firms for the next 30 days to dig up dirt on his currently-fellow owners. They have six-figure budgets to dig up as much stuff as they can find on the owners, David Stern, and current commissioner Adam Silver.

It's all part of the billion-dollar case Sterling has against the NBA since they didn't pull back on their $2.5-million fine and lifetime ban around NBA events.
Los Angeles Local News | FOX 11 LA KTTV

The next 30 days are a test for the four firms to see if any of them get to hang around after their first round of dirt-digging to keep digging dirt once Sterling gets to see what they got.

OSG High: Another Dallas ISD Coach Fired After Twitter Threat

((HT: WFAA-TV))

OSG Sports chronicled the fallout of a massive recruiting scandal involving the Dallas Independent School District. It went further than that with the catalyst being the death of a basketball player who was beaten to death by a housemate. The two students were positioned to live in a house that was not in the school district of either player. A DISD investigation confirmed the forging of eligibility documents to hide the fact that the students were only living in the house without their parents to play basketball...

And nothing else...which is a huge no-no around the world...

It ended with 15 coaches, administrators, and DISD front office personnel being fired- or, at least, the HQ thought it was over...

In one of the dumbest moves on record, the brother of two of the fired went after the WFAA-TV reporter, Brett Causey, who filed the investigation stories via Twitter. The brother is the two fired is now one of the fired by the DISD.

Here's the fallout after the threat...
Interesting note: WFAA-TV did an investigation of Snoop Johnson and his high school program back in 2012 that was along the same lines. Johnson, of course, denied the allegations.

OSG High BREAKING: Dallas ISD Fires 15 After Recruiting Scandal

((HT: DallasNews.com/Haag-Hobbs))

The Dallas Independent School District’s Professional Standards Office launched an investigation into possible illegal recruiting practices after the March 24 death of Wilmer-Hutchins basketball player Troy Causey. Madison basketball player Johnathan Turner has been charged with killing him during a fight.

They were living under the same roof, but neither were living in the district of the school that they were attending to play high school basketball.

In May, DISD officials placed the two head coaches — John Burley, from Wilmer-Hutchins High School, and Roderick Johnson, from Madison High School — on administrative leave during the internal investigation.

After the Causey death, his mother came forward to explain how this all came to be.
Brett Shipp investigated
((HT: WFAA-TV))
This afternoon DISD Superintendent Mike Miles announced a boat-load of firings as a result. 11 employees in total- coaches, assistant coaches and staff from the schools were fired after the investigation. 10 of the employees were terminated for falsifying documents. The eleventh employee was fired for "improperly obtaining and sharing student records." Four members of the central office with "direct responsibilities in the area" were also "relieved of their duties." The names were not released by Miles at the time of his presser because the firings were still happening- this being the last day of the school year. "... the district is submitting a letter to the University Interscholastic League today to self-report the findings of the investigation." Miles said in a release. "Players at two of our schools were ineligible to participate in UIL-sanctioned games but still played. It will be up to the UIL State Executive Committee to determine any action, including the possible forfeiture of games that may be required of us."
The HQ thinks both schools are in trouble in that regard...

More when we know more...

Saturday PM Sterling Update: No One Is Happy About It...

((HT: KABC-TV))

And let the spin begin...

The opinion is, from the Sterling camp, is that it is all the fault of Stiviano- who is being charged with embezzling almost $2-million- and that the Clippers owner is not the kind of person portrayed on the tape released to TMZ Sports...

Melissa Macbride is in the Satellite Center to read full screens


Doc Rivers, representing the team, was not pleased...
((HT: ESPN))


Chris Paul, the Executive Director of the NBPA, says the matter is going to be handled by the players in a timely fashion...

"On behalf of the National Basketball Players Association, this is a very serious issue which we will address aggressively," it read. "We have asked [Sacramento] Mayor Kevin Johnson to expand his responsibilities with the NBPA, to determine our response and our next steps. As players, we owe it to our teams and our fans to keep our focus on our game, the playoffs, and a drive to the Finals."

No lie... for this part of irony...

Sterling was to be honored in May with a lifetime achievement award by the NAACP in Los Angeles. The prganization is monitoring the Clippers situation right now as well...

DEVELOPING: Boston PD Bomb Squad Tipping Backpacks At Marathon Finish Line (UPDATED W/Arrest And Contents)

((HT: MyFoxBoston/WHDH-TV's Sarah S. French's Instagram via Trenni Kusnierek))

On the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings, a gentleman has been taken into custody for allegedly dropping two suspicious-looking backpacks near the finish line. The Green Line train system service has been suspended at the Copley Street stop while the bomb squad for Boston Police is investigating and has used a robot to tip the first backpack.

Here's the video of the gentleman in custody who is suspected of dropping the two backpacks on Boylston Street


There is also a shelter-in-place for everyone on Boylston Street at present.

More when we know more...

2030 UPDATE: There are conflicting reports out, but one network is reporting the suspect has thrown down "multiple" backpacks and not just the initial number of two...

2100 UPDATE: Boston Police bomb squad has detonated one of the backpacks

2145 UPDATE: The second backpack was detonated as well. The contents are not known at present...

2240 UPDATE: Superintendent Randy Halstead of Boston Police is saying at his press conference that the suspect has been charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and possession of a hoax device after finding a rice cooker in the first backpack. Halstead would not go into the details of the second backpack.

2320 UPDATE: From WBZ-TV's Katie Brace through her Twitter...

Second bag was camera equipment.

One bag was rice cooker filled with confetti - a man is in custody on several charges.