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News Nuggets, 02.02.04
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Colorado prez asks politicians to butt out of sex/recruiting probe

BOULDER — The University of Colorado's president said over the weekend that she wants to create a special committee to investigate allegations the school has used sex parties to lure football recruits, and she urged the Legislature to stay out of the matter.

President Betsy Hoffman said she will ask regents to give her the authority to set up an investigative committee that would report to the university. The regents scheduled an emergency meeting for Friday after the release in the past week of a deposition in which Boulder District Attorney Mary Keenan said the university ignored warnings she made in 1997 to put an end to sex parties for football recruits.

Hoffman, football coach Gary Barnett and other university officials have strongly denied using sex to lure recruits. "I think it's important for the people of Colorado to have reassurance that we are not doing that," Hoffman said at a news conference Saturday.

Hoffman urged the Legislature not to take the "extremely unusual" step of establishing its own investigation. She said that would signal a "loss of faith in the university's ability to manage its own affairs."

Gov. Bill Owens has said that if the university fails to correct problems, he would "take whatever steps are necessary to protect the integrity of the university."

Keenan gave the deposition in a civil rights lawsuit filed by one of three women who allege they were raped during or after a 2001 sex party for recruits. The lawsuit accuses the university of fostering an environment in which women routinely suffer sexual harassment.

Keenan investigated the case, but never brought sexual assault charges against any of the football players or recruits who attended the party.

Barnett said that while the depositions leaked to the press contained statements damning the university, there are just as many that rebut those allegations. "I hope these people who have been so quick to accuse are just as quick to apologize," Barnett said.

He said that since he came to Colorado in 1999 he has required his players who host recruits to sign a letter promising not to expose them to improper behavior.

Meanwhile, Barnett confirmed he had cut a player because he had been accused of unlawful sexual conduct in a dormitory room last week. Colt Brennan, a walk-on quarterback, was cut after meeting with Barnett on Friday evening.

Hoffman said Boulder and university police are continuing their investigation into the incident and that Brennan's case has been referred to the student judicial process.

Schnellenberger pact extended through 2009

BOCA RATON — Howard Schnellenberger received a two-year contract extension from Florida Atlantic, two months after leading the Owls to the Division I-AA semifinals.

Schnellenberger is under contract through the 2009 season. The extension includes an option for two more years. The 69-year-old coach came out of retirement in 1998 to build the Florida Atlantic program from scratch.

In the program's third season, the Owls went 11-2 before losing to Colgate in the Division I-AA playoffs. It was the first time in NCAA history a third-year team advanced that far.

The Owls are moving to Division I-A this season and joining the Sun Belt Conference.

"Not only has coach Schnellenberger earned it, but this will give us the stability necessary as we take the football program to the next level," school president Frank Brogan said.

An assistant to Bear Bryant at Alabama for five years before moving to the NFL, Schnellenberger served as an assistant with the Rams, Colts and Dolphins before taking the head coaching job at the University of Miami, where he led the Hurricanes to their first national title in 1983.

Schnellenberger then coached at Louisville for 10 years, and spent one year at Oklahoma before retiring after the 1995 season. In his three seasons at Florida Atlantic, Schnellenberger is 17-18. He is 117-95-3 in 19 collegiate seasons.

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News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2004 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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