Dunleavy
03-21-2005, 05:12 AM
this story should only get alittle national run, but in the game between Illinois and Wis-Mil it's going to be a HUGE sub-plot...
quick background
-Iowa and Illinois are recruiting a Prize HS star in 1989
-he is Deon Thomas, he picks Illinois
-Iowa assistant coach (who had been recruiting Thomas) Bruce Pearl (w/believed backing from Iowa coach) tapes a phone call w/Thomas after he picked Illinois over Iowa.
-in the phone call Pearl presses Thomas that he received $ and car from Illinois, Thomas, not wanting to talk to Pearl kind lets Pearl believe whatever he wants to make him go away.
-Pearl goes to NCAA with his tape as a; whistle blower (my words) "idealist" (his words)
-the NCAA steps in and investigates, they find nothing against Thomas and he is allowed to play college ball, but find other violations against the school in other areas, and hands down stiff punishments against the school
-major set back (by 10 years?) for the Illini program who had made the final four that year (89)
-the Illinois assisant coach who recruited Thomas, name of Collins, loses his place in line to become the HC at Illinois, he now coaches at Ill-chicago, which believe it or not is the same conference Pearl coaches his Wis-Mil team in. when the teams play, Collins refuses to shake hands w/Pearl
-Illinois fans hate Pearl, i mean they H A T E Pearl,
-Illinois plays Wis-Mil in the Sweet 16 on Thursday, in Illinois (chicago). the first time Pearl will meet the Illinois fans on game day
it should be noted the players where 4 or 5 years old at the time and dont care, no Illinois coach remains from 89 (oddly enough Weber is a Wis-Mil alma). this will be strictly between fans and opposing coach, it should be Vvvvery noticeable on game day.
Good link for more on this (http://underscorebleach.net/content/jotsheet/2005/03/bruce_pearl_illinois_iowa_recruiting_scandal)
quick background
-Iowa and Illinois are recruiting a Prize HS star in 1989
-he is Deon Thomas, he picks Illinois
-Iowa assistant coach (who had been recruiting Thomas) Bruce Pearl (w/believed backing from Iowa coach) tapes a phone call w/Thomas after he picked Illinois over Iowa.
-in the phone call Pearl presses Thomas that he received $ and car from Illinois, Thomas, not wanting to talk to Pearl kind lets Pearl believe whatever he wants to make him go away.
-Pearl goes to NCAA with his tape as a; whistle blower (my words) "idealist" (his words)
-the NCAA steps in and investigates, they find nothing against Thomas and he is allowed to play college ball, but find other violations against the school in other areas, and hands down stiff punishments against the school
-major set back (by 10 years?) for the Illini program who had made the final four that year (89)
-the Illinois assisant coach who recruited Thomas, name of Collins, loses his place in line to become the HC at Illinois, he now coaches at Ill-chicago, which believe it or not is the same conference Pearl coaches his Wis-Mil team in. when the teams play, Collins refuses to shake hands w/Pearl
-Illinois fans hate Pearl, i mean they H A T E Pearl,
-Illinois plays Wis-Mil in the Sweet 16 on Thursday, in Illinois (chicago). the first time Pearl will meet the Illinois fans on game day
it should be noted the players where 4 or 5 years old at the time and dont care, no Illinois coach remains from 89 (oddly enough Weber is a Wis-Mil alma). this will be strictly between fans and opposing coach, it should be Vvvvery noticeable on game day.
Good link for more on this (http://underscorebleach.net/content/jotsheet/2005/03/bruce_pearl_illinois_iowa_recruiting_scandal)