Minnesota Under Prescription Pill Probe
Minnesota Under Prescription Pill Probe
The Minnesota Gopher wrestling program is under fire for allegedly failing to report prescription drug abuse to authorities.FOX 9 in Minneapolis first repor
The Minnesota Gopher wrestling program is under fire for allegedly failing to report prescription drug abuse to authorities.
FOX 9 in Minneapolis first reported on Tuesday that four Gophers were under investigation for dealing Xanax, a prescription medication for anxiety.
Yesterday, the Star Tribune cited sources indicating that Gopher wrestlers were in possession of 2,500 Xanax pills, which they sold from dormitories.
Long-time head coach, J Robinson, is also taking heat. Statements made by an anonymous Gopher wrestler and text messages obtained by the Star Tribune suggest that, instead of going to law enforcement or contacting university officials, Robinson attempted to deal with the matter in-house.
According to the wrestler, Robinson said, "‘It’s Easter weekend. I’ll be in my office Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you’re involved, come and tell me. If you have any pills, bring them to my office and I’ll dispose of them, and I’ll give you amnesty.’ ”
The texts purportedly show that Robinson instructed the wrestlers involved to write an essay on their indiscretions. “Remember that paper is due on my desk by tomorrow evening. #1 What emotion you’re feeling by getting caught, by letting yourself, your teammates, your parents down, how did it feel and do you want to feel that way again? #2 what did you learn from this? 3 what are you going to do different. Your plan so does not happen again.”
Robinson, a three-time National Coach of the Year, led the Gophers to all three of their NCAA team titles since accepting the role as head coach in 1986.
The story has since been picked up by ESPN, The Washington Post, Deadspin, and Bar Stool Sports, among others.
We'll have more updates on this story as they become available.
FOX 9 in Minneapolis first reported on Tuesday that four Gophers were under investigation for dealing Xanax, a prescription medication for anxiety.
Yesterday, the Star Tribune cited sources indicating that Gopher wrestlers were in possession of 2,500 Xanax pills, which they sold from dormitories.
Long-time head coach, J Robinson, is also taking heat. Statements made by an anonymous Gopher wrestler and text messages obtained by the Star Tribune suggest that, instead of going to law enforcement or contacting university officials, Robinson attempted to deal with the matter in-house.
According to the wrestler, Robinson said, "‘It’s Easter weekend. I’ll be in my office Friday, Saturday and Sunday. If you’re involved, come and tell me. If you have any pills, bring them to my office and I’ll dispose of them, and I’ll give you amnesty.’ ”
The texts purportedly show that Robinson instructed the wrestlers involved to write an essay on their indiscretions. “Remember that paper is due on my desk by tomorrow evening. #1 What emotion you’re feeling by getting caught, by letting yourself, your teammates, your parents down, how did it feel and do you want to feel that way again? #2 what did you learn from this? 3 what are you going to do different. Your plan so does not happen again.”
Robinson, a three-time National Coach of the Year, led the Gophers to all three of their NCAA team titles since accepting the role as head coach in 1986.
The story has since been picked up by ESPN, The Washington Post, Deadspin, and Bar Stool Sports, among others.
We'll have more updates on this story as they become available.
Related Content
- 78 kg Cons 8 #2 - James Ivaldi, Mad Cow Wrestling Club vs Kadyr Keneshov, Colorado
Apr 26, 2024
- 70 kg Cons 8 #2 - Stefan Bittmann, Nevada vs Marc Wolfgang, Massachusetts
Apr 26, 2024
- 100 kg Cons 8 #2 - Jesse Campos, Las Vegas Wrestling Club vs Dave Hart, Colorado
Apr 26, 2024
- 70 kg Round 3 - Steve Ferguson, Wrestling With Character vs Bruce Moe, Bison Wrestling Club
Apr 26, 2024
- 68 kg Cons 8 #1 - Henrik Sperlazza, MN Elite Wrestling Club vs Brady Ritter, Bolingbrook Junior Raiders Wrestling Club
Apr 26, 2024
- 75 kg Cons 8 #1 - Nolan McCarthy, Grindhouse Wrestling Club vs Layth Qouchbane, Oregon Wrestling National Team
Apr 26, 2024
- 58 kg Round 3 - Kevin Grant, Maui Style Wrestling vs Daniel Cota, Mad Cow Wrestling Club
Apr 26, 2024
- 62 kg Round 3 - Matthew Robertson, Fitness Quest Wrestling Club vs Roger Papotto, Florida
Apr 26, 2024
- 68 kg Cons 8 #1 - Mateo Centeno, Rough House Wrestling vs Cruz Hezel, Roundtree Wrestling Academy
Apr 26, 2024