College Football
Notebook: State attorney general to investigate Colorado

By The Associated Press

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DENVER — Gov. Bill Owens appointed Colorado's attorney general as a special prosecutor who will investigate the recruiting scandal at the University of Colorado, saying yesterday he wanted "no whitewash and no excuses."

Owens said school officials support the involvement of Attorney General Ken Salazar in a case that includes allegations of rape committed by players and accusations that athletic-department officials looked the other way.

"The university's reputation is being harmed by serious allegations against its football program and that program's recruiting practices," Owens said. "The reputations of this program and the university must be restored and this matter resolved quickly."

The school was plunged into scandal a month ago, when details surfaced in federal lawsuits filed against the school by three women who say they were raped by players or recruits at or just after a 2001 off-campus party.

The women say the school has fostered an environment so hostile it contributed to the sexual assaults. In all, seven women have accused Colorado players of sexual assault since 1997, but no charges have been filed.

Owens said Boulder, Colo., police support his decision to get the attorney general involved.

On Thursday, a local television station released video made by a student in 2001 in which players say coaches encouraged them to cultivate relationships with police for special treatment.

Note

 
• Ball State reprimanded two coaches after redshirt-freshman receiver Chris Jackson suffered frostbite during a disciplinary workout in subzero temperatures in Muncie, Ind.

Bubba Cunningham, Ball State athletic director, issued letters of reprimand to coach Brady Hoke and strength coach Aaron Wellman after the 40-minute workout on Jan. 31.

Jackson suffered frostbite to several fingers during the session, when the wind chill was 12 below zero.

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