© 2024 WEMU
Serving Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, MI
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
0000017d-4e0c-dda1-a7fd-4fde73920000

University of Michigan Students, Alumni Calling For Dismissal Of Athletic Director

Alex Hartley
Andrew Cluley
/
89.1 WEMU

University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel is calling for a review of the school's in game safety procedures following quarterback Shane Morris continuing to play after suffering a concussion Saturday. In the statement Schlissel expressed extreme disappointment in the events surrounding the handling of the injury.  Students and Michigan fans want bigger changes in the athletic department.

Several hundred University of Michigan students rallied on the Diag and then marched to the president's house calling for the dismissal of Athletic Director Dave Brandon. Over 9,000 students, faculty, and alumni have signed an online petition with the same message.

Junior Nate Deroo from Grand Rapids says the way the injury was handled is the straw that broke the camel's back. "I think it's been a process, there's been a lot of discord with him and the student body over the whole time he's been here and that just kind of brought it to the point where we're finally out here going to do something about it," he says.

Students raised concerns over increases in ticket prices, policy changes around student basketball and football tickets, and a general concern that the athletic department has sold out students and tradition. It's reflected in a sharp decline in student ticket sales, and the university has used a variety of methods to ensure a streak of over 100,000 fans attending every game since 1975 continues.

Fire Dave Brandon Rally
Credit Andrew Cluley / 89.1 WEMU
/
89.1 WEMU

Alumni have joined in calling for the dismissal of Brandon as well. Brian Cook runs MGoBlog, one of the most popular blogs about Michigan sports. He says Brandon isn't responsible for what happened during the game, but should have quickly delivered a message similar to President Schlissel's. "Forthrightly apologized to Shane Morris and his family for the events that happened on Saturday and he promised that Michigan would have clear, forthright, and honest communications from this point forward.  And if Michigan just does this on Sunday we don't see the University's name dragged through the mud on a national level," Cook says.

Schlissel says he will take all the necessary steps to ensure the university is vigilant and disciplined in ensuring student athlete safety.

Like 89.1 WEMU on Facebook and follow us on Twitter— Andrew Cluley is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him acluley@emich.edu.   
 

Like many, I first came to this area when I started school at the University of Michigan, then fell in love with the community and haven’t left. After graduating from U of M in the mid 1990’s I interned at WDET for several years, while also working a variety of jobs in Ann Arbor. Then in 1999 I joined the WEMU news team.
Related Content