Fallout from the Mike Rice Scandal continued Thursday as a Rutgers University lawyer resigned from a leadership position, according to the Associated Press.
John Wolf stepped down from his position after outcry for him to leave his job increased recently. Wolf had been the university's top lawyer and was been holding the position on an interim basis. He will stay with the school as a lawyer serving in a lower capacity.
Many felt Wolf, like former athletic director Tim Pernetti, made the wrong decision in suspending former men’s basketball coach Mike Rice. Instead of being fired in December of 2012 for the physical abuse of his players, Rice was given a three-game suspension and fined $50,000. It was only after the video was made public on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines”, that Rice was fired.
Many New Jersey state lawmakers asked Wolf leave his post because they felt he deceived them.
This latest resignation is a part of a scandal that could go on for some time.
After the video broke on “Outside the Lines” the public outcry became too much for the University to handle. The university was left with little choice but to fire Mike Rice.
After the video aired on “Outside the Lines” Pernetti did an interview on the “Michael Kay Show” on ESPN Radio New York, but then resigned a couple days later.
“I trust that my tenure at Rutgers will not be judged by this one incident," he said. "I am proud of my efforts to lead Rutgers into the Big Ten, and of all of the accomplishments of our student-athletes in the classroom and on the field of play,” he said in his letter of resignation. “I want to thank our great fans, the hardest working staff in collegiate athletics, and every one of our fine student-athletes. It has been my great pleasure to serve my alma mater.”
Many have also called for University President Robert Barchi to step down as well. However, Barchi has received support from New Jersey Governor Chris Chirstie and Ralph Izzo, the chairman of the university’s board of governors. The university is currently launching an independent review of the situation.
Wolf, who has worked for Rutgers since 1984, issued a statement concerning his resignation.
"While I regret the circumstances surrounding my departure from Rutgers, I always will have very fond memories of the challenges and achievements that I have been a part of and the many colleagues and friends," he said.
