Board of Regents & Iowa Release Statement

[JonDMiller]

The health and well-being of students at all of Iowa’s Public Universities is of paramount concern to the Iowa Board of Regents and to the University of Iowa. As such, the recent hospitalization of 13 University of Iowa football players following pre-season workouts is a cause for grave concern. Our immediate focus is the full recovery of each of the young men involved, and we continue to closely monitor the medical condition of our student-athletes. In that regard, we commend the UI Athletics Department for its quick response to the student-athletes’ health needs, and wish to express our confidence in the care that they are receiving at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

"Going forward, it is essential that we take the necessary steps to understand the factors that led to this to ensure that it never happens again,†said David Miles, president of the Iowa Board of Regents. “This morning President Sally Mason and I agreed to a 90-day timeline for completion of a root cause analysis of the events that led to the need to hospitalize these young men. At President Mason’s direction, this analysis was already underway shortly after the incident, and I appreciate the University’s efforts to involve independent medical experts in the process from the earliest moments.â€

“The primary aim of this analysis will be to identify, to the extent possible, the root causes of this incident in order to create and implement effective preventative measures to ensure this does not happen in the future,†added Sally Mason, president of the University of Iowa. “It is an essential responsibility of the University to determine what is likely to have caused this rare condition among so many young men at one time, and to share those findings.â€

Results of the analysis will be presented to the Board of Regents upon completion.

 

[Rawkhawk73]

I'm willing to bet that Michael Gartner is behind this. This guy has had a hardon for the football program for years and if there is a "crisis" that he can exploit and embarass a few people in the program with, he'll jump at the chance.

 

[Hawksel]

I'm willing to bet that Michael Gartner is behind this. This guy has had a hardon for the football program for years and if there is a "crisis" that he can exploit and embarass a few people in the program with, he'll jump at the chance.

I guess I see this more as damage control.

 

[JonDMiller]

I don't think its a surprise the Board of Regents would get involved, not at all. Would be a surprise if they didn't; they probably should be involved in something like this.

 

[tazclone]

I'm willing to bet that Michael Gartner is behind this. This guy has had a hardon for the football program for years and if there is a "crisis" that he can exploit and embarass a few people in the program with, he'll jump at the chance.

Or maybe they are doing their job and are addressing a serious issue and no one has a hardon for the hawks. Just a thought. I guess Iw ould be surprised if they didn't request info.

 

[DexterMorgan]

I'm just gonig to pretend this is the first statement from the university of the matter. all of the stuff from the past 2 days was just a dream.

 

[jameskalina]

As competitive as college football is I'm surprised we have not heard more of athlete hospital admissions at other schools. I have a difficult time believing other colleges not working their athletes as hard (or harder) as Iowa.

Seems to me there are a number of ways to deal with these hospital admissions/medical conditions from a public relations standpoint. Could it be some schools keep similar events under wraps so no one hears of it or down plays the health threat?

 

[imported_ankle23]

As competitive as college football is I'm surprised we have not heard more of athlete hospital admissions at other schools. I have a difficult time believing other colleges not working their athletes as hard (or harder) as Iowa.

Seems to me there are a number of ways to deal with these hospital admissions/medical conditions from a public relations standpoint. Could it be some schools keep similar events under wraps so no one hears of it or down plays the health threat?

the player(s) in the hospital let it out via social media.

and, yes, other schools are going thru the same type of rigorous training during this time of year. Now is when you make your strength/conditioning/speed gains, not during season.

 

[tweeterhawk]

Total damage control. As tight as details have been the past two days, they'll become even harder to obtain as the stated reasons for not releasing anything more will be HPPA, the student confidentiality act and this investigation. You can bet this report will be reviewed by the lawyers as it is developed and any potentially damaging information will be made to go away.

 

[ThunderHawk]

Well at least Sally Mason isn't blaming the victim(s) like she did in the Everson ordeal.

Yet.

 

[xlakehawk]

In hindsight, I'll bet the UI PR gurus wished they would have had the regents release this statement yesterday in place of the press conference.

 

[muskienks]

I have to know what happened now!!!!!!! I can't wait until facts are available. I want to read some tweets and blogs from people regardless of whether or not they know anything. This is the age of information!!!!! We need information!!!!! Right, Wrong or Indifferent.