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Russell still hopes to be readmitted to U
Chip Scoggins, Star Tribune
KENT, OHIO - Former Gophers running back Gary Russell attended the team's season opener at Kent State on Thursday night and said he hopes to be readmitted to school for the winter semester.
Russell was dismissed from school because of poor academic performance last winter and then failed to be readmitted this summer. He said he will enroll at Columbus (Ohio) State Community College in his hometown next week and will take 20 credits. He said he hopes to do enough to get readmitted to Minnesota after that.
"Either there or somewhere else," he said outside the stadium before the game.
Russell, who said he also will visit the University of Cincinnati, rushed for 1,130 yards and a school-record 18 touchdowns last season. He made the two-hour drive to Kent with several family members and sat in the stands.
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Chip Scoggins, Star Tribune
KENT, OHIO - Former Gophers running back Gary Russell attended the team's season opener at Kent State on Thursday night and said he hopes to be readmitted to school for the winter semester.
Russell was dismissed from school because of poor academic performance last winter and then failed to be readmitted this summer. He said he will enroll at Columbus (Ohio) State Community College in his hometown next week and will take 20 credits. He said he hopes to do enough to get readmitted to Minnesota after that.
"Either there or somewhere else," he said outside the stadium before the game.
Russell, who said he also will visit the University of Cincinnati, rushed for 1,130 yards and a school-record 18 touchdowns last season. He made the two-hour drive to Kent with several family members and sat in the stands.
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Russell expects to return
BY CHARLEY WALTERS
Pioneer Press
Star running back Gary Russell, who became academically ineligible at the University of Minnesota, has enrolled at Columbus (Ohio) State Community College with plans to re-enroll at Minnesota in January. Russell has two seasons of potential eligibility left with the Gophers.
) Gophers sophomore running back Alex Daniels, who rushed for 155 yards and three touchdowns against Kent State last week, never has been to California, where the Gophers play Saturday at Berkeley.
"I've heard it's really dreamy, nice and sunny, lots of beaches," the 6-foot-3, 255-pounder said.
Daniels, 19, who switched from linebacker this season, has clocked a 4.5-seconds time in the 40-yard dash. His bench press?
"Don't know the number, but I can bench a house," he said. "I'm stronger than most people."
Russell expects to return
BY CHARLEY WALTERS
Pioneer Press
Star running back Gary Russell, who became academically ineligible at the University of Minnesota, has enrolled at Columbus (Ohio) State Community College with plans to re-enroll at Minnesota in January. Russell has two seasons of potential eligibility left with the Gophers.
) Gophers sophomore running back Alex Daniels, who rushed for 155 yards and three touchdowns against Kent State last week, never has been to California, where the Gophers play Saturday at Berkeley.
"I've heard it's really dreamy, nice and sunny, lots of beaches," the 6-foot-3, 255-pounder said.
Daniels, 19, who switched from linebacker this season, has clocked a 4.5-seconds time in the 40-yard dash. His bench press?
"Don't know the number, but I can bench a house," he said. "I'm stronger than most people."
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How far U reached for a falling star
Gary Russell's short stay at the university revealed the lengths to which a school will go to keep a star athlete eligible to play. When Russell was unwilling to go to class last fall, the coaching staff took the unusual measure of having a staff member on occasion escort him to class, according to several school sources.
Chip Scoggins, Star TribuneLast update: October 03, 2006 ? 7:00 AM
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Former U running back Gary Russell
http://www.startribune.com/512/story/711404.html
Gary Russell was the sort of enticing risk that University of Minnesota football recruiters sometimes take. He was an exceptional talent on the field -- good enough to play for most Division I teams -- but such a marginal student that some top programs backed off.
The gamble failed for Minnesota.
Russell flunked out this past winter after just four semesters, depriving the Gophers of a player expected to be one of the best running backs in the Big Ten this season. His attempt to get readmitted this summer was denied.
Russell acknowledged that his academic downfall was his own fault.
Russell's University of Minnesota transcript, which he supplied to the Star Tribune, shows he failed two courses in his first college semester, including one called Alcohol and College Life. (He retook the class and earned a B minus.)
"I know I messed up," he said.
Russell's short stay at the university also revealed the lengths to which a school will go to keep a star athlete eligible to play. When Russell was unwilling to go to class last fall, the coaching staff took the unusual measure of having a staff member on occasion escort him to class, according to several school sources.
Several university officials, including Athletic Director Joel Maturi and head coach Glen Mason, said NCAA rules allowed the school only limited contact with Russell after he was dismissed.
Russell enrolled in a local junior college with the hope of returning to Minnesota. Maturi said school officials believed that Russell was to be treated as a prospective student- athlete, which would have made Russell subject to NCAA recruiting rules that limit contact by university staff and coaches.
But Russell said that after his dismissal, he received a loaner laptop from a former player, regularly received rides to and from the team's football facility from a staff member and had an assistant coach serve as a middle man for money sent to him by family and friends.
"If indeed the allegations are accurate, we will respond accordingly," Maturi said. "I have a responsibility to look into them, and we will."
The NCAA would not comment specifically on Russell's situation, but an official said the organization gives institutions "flexibility" for one academic year in dealing with student-athletes who have either withdrawn or been academically dismissed from school.
Mason declined to be interviewed for this story.
Earlier this summer he said: "I think any time a young man has an opportunity to play college football and it doesn't work out, I think it's a travesty and I think it's a failure. There's a lot of responsibility that goes with failure on both sides."
A failing star
Russell rushed for 2,136 yards and scored 29 touchdowns as a senior at Walnut Ridge High in Columbus, Ohio. But he also struggled academically and said he scored a "17 or 18" on his ACT college entrance test. While not the sole predictor of classroom success, such a low ACT score indicates the need for remedial aid in college, educational experts agree.
A recent Star Tribune analysis revealed that Russell's situation was not unique. Mason's football program brings in more athletes with low standardized national college entrance exam scores than four other programs in the Big Ten, including Wisconsin and defending champion Ohio State.
Still, Russell emerged as a valuable member of the Gophers team in 2005, rushing for more touchdowns than all but three players in Division I-A football, including Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush.
The defining moment of Russell's season came in a 23-20 upset of Michigan on Oct. 8. With the score tied and time winding down, Russell took a handoff, broke right and sprinted 61 yards down the sideline, setting up a game-winning field goal with one second remaining. It was the Gophers' first victory against Michigan since 1986.
Soon after, Russell's academic troubles reached a critical stage when he failed one fall semester class and withdrew from two others. He also began taking two Independent and Distance Learning courses (IDL), which he said were supposed to help him stay on track for credits earned.
Gary Russell's short stay at the university revealed the lengths to which a school will go to keep a star athlete eligible to play. When Russell was unwilling to go to class last fall, the coaching staff took the unusual measure of having a staff member on occasion escort him to class, according to several school sources.
http://www.startribune.com/512/story/711404.html
According to school officials, IDL classes allow students to do their course work on their own schedule and from any location. Jane Hancock, the director of Independent and Distance Learning, said it's not unusual for full-time students to take IDL classes because of pressures to graduate in a timely manner. However, Hancock said IDLs should not be viewed as an easy alternative. "I think it's a real good solution for people who have some ability to keep organized and on track," she said.
Mark Nelson, the university's director of academic counseling for athletics, said he doesn't believe in using IDL classes as a last-ditch effort to keep athletes eligible.
"I've not ever been one to go down that route," he said.
University Vice Provost Craig Swan, sitting in on an interview with Nelson, said that "we're not going to comment on individual cases."
Russell failed at least one class during each of the four semesters that he was enrolled at the university, including the summer of 2005. He earned only 28 credits out of a possible 51 and had a cumulative grade-point average of 1.829. He did receive three A's: in Football Coaching, Weight Training and Beginning Tennis.
Russell was dismissed from school in January, and several weeks later he and several family members flew to Minneapolis to meet with school officials and to appeal the decision. On Feb. 1 Maturi met with Provost Tom Sullivan to discuss the situation.
Russell's final appeal was denied two days later, and the school issued a press release stating that he was no longer enrolled at the school.
"After high school, I thought I was done with school," Russell said this past summer, looking back at his university stay.
Keeping in contact
Russell quickly enrolled at Inver Hills Community College and also continued his IDL course work at the university, although he was not considered an official student. His goal was to improve his grades at the junior college, get readmitted to Minnesota and play for the Gophers this season.
In the statement announcing Russell's departure last winter, Mason said the school would help him "in any way allowable." Mason became adamant when asked about Russell's situation during an interview in early June.
"I have no control over it," he said. "He's out of our system. I'm prohibited from even contacting him."
Russell claimed, however, that assistant head coach Mitch Browning, who recruited Russell, and Dan Sapanaro, a graduate assistant, kept close tabs on him until the two sides had a falling out. Russell also said former Gophers football player Jack Brewer loaned him his laptop so that he could do his IDL class work. NCAA rules prohibit former players and boosters from helping in the recruiting process.
Browning declined a request for an interview, and Sapanaro could not be reached for comment.
Brewer acknowledged that he loaned Russell a laptop to write papers. Said Brewer: "I definitely tried to mentor him. I talked to him about the importance of getting his education."
No longer on scholarship, Russell said family and friends sent him money to live on, with Browning acting as the middle man. Russell's grandmother, Joyce Russell, said she sent a $300 check for one month's rent to Browning, who then gave it to Russell.
A former athletic trainer at Russell's high school said he also sent money for Russell through Browning. Jim Somerville said he asked Browning if he could send money through him to make sure "it would be used for the right things."
Somerville said he sent a check made out to Russell to Browning's office. Russell picked it up and said he used the money to buy books at Inver Hills.
"Even if football didn't work out, I wanted him to have a degree," Somerville said.
Russell, who lived in an off-campus house with several former Gophers teammates, said Sapanaro frequently gave him rides to and from the football facility to meet with staff members. Russell said staff members visited him at home "a lot."I used to get mad because they would come over so much," he said.
Russell failed to enroll in the first summer session at Minnesota, making his return highly doubtful. But in an 11th-hour attempt to return to Minnesota, Russell and four family members drove to Minneapolis in mid-July to meet with Browning and academic counselors.
Russell packed all of his clothes as he prepared for the 766-mile trip, believing he was going to be readmitted.
Instead, Russell and his family were told that he was too far behind academically and would not be allowed back. That ignited a heated argument between members of Russell's party and Browning at the football facility, according to the Russell family. The Russells drove back to Columbus the next day, angry and unsure of the next move.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Russell could try to get readmitted to college, or he could wait until next spring and declare for the NFL draft.
In one final twist, Russell said Browning contacted his family recently and kept open the possibility of him returning to Minnesota. Russell even attended the team's season opener at Kent State University. Looking noticeably heavier, Russell chatted with fans in the stands, and a few of his former teammates and coaches acknowledged him before the game.
Earlier that evening, Russell said he planned on enrolling at another junior college in his hometown and hoped to take a heavy class load. And then what?
"We'll see," he said. "Maybe come back to Minnesota."
How far U reached for a falling star
Gary Russell's short stay at the university revealed the lengths to which a school will go to keep a star athlete eligible to play. When Russell was unwilling to go to class last fall, the coaching staff took the unusual measure of having a staff member on occasion escort him to class, according to several school sources.
Chip Scoggins, Star TribuneLast update: October 03, 2006 ? 7:00 AM
http://del.icio.us/post
Former U running back Gary Russellhttp://www.startribune.com/512/story/711404.html
Gary Russell was the sort of enticing risk that University of Minnesota football recruiters sometimes take. He was an exceptional talent on the field -- good enough to play for most Division I teams -- but such a marginal student that some top programs backed off.
The gamble failed for Minnesota.
Russell flunked out this past winter after just four semesters, depriving the Gophers of a player expected to be one of the best running backs in the Big Ten this season. His attempt to get readmitted this summer was denied.
Russell acknowledged that his academic downfall was his own fault.
Russell's University of Minnesota transcript, which he supplied to the Star Tribune, shows he failed two courses in his first college semester, including one called Alcohol and College Life. (He retook the class and earned a B minus.)
"I know I messed up," he said.
Russell's short stay at the university also revealed the lengths to which a school will go to keep a star athlete eligible to play. When Russell was unwilling to go to class last fall, the coaching staff took the unusual measure of having a staff member on occasion escort him to class, according to several school sources.
Several university officials, including Athletic Director Joel Maturi and head coach Glen Mason, said NCAA rules allowed the school only limited contact with Russell after he was dismissed.
Russell enrolled in a local junior college with the hope of returning to Minnesota. Maturi said school officials believed that Russell was to be treated as a prospective student- athlete, which would have made Russell subject to NCAA recruiting rules that limit contact by university staff and coaches.
But Russell said that after his dismissal, he received a loaner laptop from a former player, regularly received rides to and from the team's football facility from a staff member and had an assistant coach serve as a middle man for money sent to him by family and friends.
"If indeed the allegations are accurate, we will respond accordingly," Maturi said. "I have a responsibility to look into them, and we will."
The NCAA would not comment specifically on Russell's situation, but an official said the organization gives institutions "flexibility" for one academic year in dealing with student-athletes who have either withdrawn or been academically dismissed from school.
Mason declined to be interviewed for this story.
Earlier this summer he said: "I think any time a young man has an opportunity to play college football and it doesn't work out, I think it's a travesty and I think it's a failure. There's a lot of responsibility that goes with failure on both sides."
A failing star
Russell rushed for 2,136 yards and scored 29 touchdowns as a senior at Walnut Ridge High in Columbus, Ohio. But he also struggled academically and said he scored a "17 or 18" on his ACT college entrance test. While not the sole predictor of classroom success, such a low ACT score indicates the need for remedial aid in college, educational experts agree.
A recent Star Tribune analysis revealed that Russell's situation was not unique. Mason's football program brings in more athletes with low standardized national college entrance exam scores than four other programs in the Big Ten, including Wisconsin and defending champion Ohio State.
Still, Russell emerged as a valuable member of the Gophers team in 2005, rushing for more touchdowns than all but three players in Division I-A football, including Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush.
The defining moment of Russell's season came in a 23-20 upset of Michigan on Oct. 8. With the score tied and time winding down, Russell took a handoff, broke right and sprinted 61 yards down the sideline, setting up a game-winning field goal with one second remaining. It was the Gophers' first victory against Michigan since 1986.
Soon after, Russell's academic troubles reached a critical stage when he failed one fall semester class and withdrew from two others. He also began taking two Independent and Distance Learning courses (IDL), which he said were supposed to help him stay on track for credits earned.
Gary Russell's short stay at the university revealed the lengths to which a school will go to keep a star athlete eligible to play. When Russell was unwilling to go to class last fall, the coaching staff took the unusual measure of having a staff member on occasion escort him to class, according to several school sources.
http://www.startribune.com/512/story/711404.html
According to school officials, IDL classes allow students to do their course work on their own schedule and from any location. Jane Hancock, the director of Independent and Distance Learning, said it's not unusual for full-time students to take IDL classes because of pressures to graduate in a timely manner. However, Hancock said IDLs should not be viewed as an easy alternative. "I think it's a real good solution for people who have some ability to keep organized and on track," she said.
Mark Nelson, the university's director of academic counseling for athletics, said he doesn't believe in using IDL classes as a last-ditch effort to keep athletes eligible.
"I've not ever been one to go down that route," he said.
University Vice Provost Craig Swan, sitting in on an interview with Nelson, said that "we're not going to comment on individual cases."
Russell failed at least one class during each of the four semesters that he was enrolled at the university, including the summer of 2005. He earned only 28 credits out of a possible 51 and had a cumulative grade-point average of 1.829. He did receive three A's: in Football Coaching, Weight Training and Beginning Tennis.
Russell was dismissed from school in January, and several weeks later he and several family members flew to Minneapolis to meet with school officials and to appeal the decision. On Feb. 1 Maturi met with Provost Tom Sullivan to discuss the situation.
Russell's final appeal was denied two days later, and the school issued a press release stating that he was no longer enrolled at the school.
"After high school, I thought I was done with school," Russell said this past summer, looking back at his university stay.
Keeping in contact
Russell quickly enrolled at Inver Hills Community College and also continued his IDL course work at the university, although he was not considered an official student. His goal was to improve his grades at the junior college, get readmitted to Minnesota and play for the Gophers this season.
In the statement announcing Russell's departure last winter, Mason said the school would help him "in any way allowable." Mason became adamant when asked about Russell's situation during an interview in early June.
"I have no control over it," he said. "He's out of our system. I'm prohibited from even contacting him."
Russell claimed, however, that assistant head coach Mitch Browning, who recruited Russell, and Dan Sapanaro, a graduate assistant, kept close tabs on him until the two sides had a falling out. Russell also said former Gophers football player Jack Brewer loaned him his laptop so that he could do his IDL class work. NCAA rules prohibit former players and boosters from helping in the recruiting process.
Browning declined a request for an interview, and Sapanaro could not be reached for comment.
Brewer acknowledged that he loaned Russell a laptop to write papers. Said Brewer: "I definitely tried to mentor him. I talked to him about the importance of getting his education."
No longer on scholarship, Russell said family and friends sent him money to live on, with Browning acting as the middle man. Russell's grandmother, Joyce Russell, said she sent a $300 check for one month's rent to Browning, who then gave it to Russell.
A former athletic trainer at Russell's high school said he also sent money for Russell through Browning. Jim Somerville said he asked Browning if he could send money through him to make sure "it would be used for the right things."
Somerville said he sent a check made out to Russell to Browning's office. Russell picked it up and said he used the money to buy books at Inver Hills.
"Even if football didn't work out, I wanted him to have a degree," Somerville said.
Russell, who lived in an off-campus house with several former Gophers teammates, said Sapanaro frequently gave him rides to and from the football facility to meet with staff members. Russell said staff members visited him at home "a lot."I used to get mad because they would come over so much," he said.
Russell failed to enroll in the first summer session at Minnesota, making his return highly doubtful. But in an 11th-hour attempt to return to Minnesota, Russell and four family members drove to Minneapolis in mid-July to meet with Browning and academic counselors.
Russell packed all of his clothes as he prepared for the 766-mile trip, believing he was going to be readmitted.
Instead, Russell and his family were told that he was too far behind academically and would not be allowed back. That ignited a heated argument between members of Russell's party and Browning at the football facility, according to the Russell family. The Russells drove back to Columbus the next day, angry and unsure of the next move.
With two years of eligibility remaining, Russell could try to get readmitted to college, or he could wait until next spring and declare for the NFL draft.
In one final twist, Russell said Browning contacted his family recently and kept open the possibility of him returning to Minnesota. Russell even attended the team's season opener at Kent State University. Looking noticeably heavier, Russell chatted with fans in the stands, and a few of his former teammates and coaches acknowledged him before the game.
Earlier that evening, Russell said he planned on enrolling at another junior college in his hometown and hoped to take a heavy class load. And then what?
"We'll see," he said. "Maybe come back to Minnesota."
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