How will the UO address student-athlete legal troubles?
EUGENE, Ore. -- Head University of Oregon football coach Chip Kelly has said he will make a decision regarding disciplinary action after Jeremiah Masoli and LaMichael James appear in court Friday.
It will be the first time Kelly will publicly reveal how he plans to discipline his star players -- and a possible indication of future policies for student athletes accused of breaking the law.
"Athletics Director Mike Bellotti and Head Coach Chip Kelly ... are working hard ... to address these incidents, " said University President Richard Lariviere in a written statement issued Feb. 22 after police cited linebacker Kiko Alonso for DUII.
But Bellotti, Kelly and Lariviere have remained quiet on how they are addressing the incidents.
"What the public needs to see is that they're taking action," said State Sen. Rick Metsger, D-Welches.
Metsger said that a few years ago he considered legislation to force Oregon State University -- then facing their own issues with student athletes accused of breaking the law -- to take more decisive disciplinary actions.
OSU did it on their own, eliminating the need for legislation. The University of Oregon should follow suit, said Metsger.
"When you have incident after incident, it raises the question in anyone's mind, it raises the question of how seriously are you addressing these issues," he said, "and how much is that getting through to the young people representing to the university, that this is very very important and this will be taking seriously."
KVAL News requested an on camera interview with Lariviere. University spokeswoman Julie Brown said the president would prefer to wait until after Friday's court appearances to comment but would be out of the state.
KVAL News also wanted to speak with Bellotti, but were told he was out of the office on Thursday. Our call to athletic department spokesman Andy McNamara was not returned.
