Following complaints from parents, the University of Illinois will hire an outside law firm to review its own investigation into reports of player mistreatment in the women's basketball program.
UI officials announced today that the Chicago firm of Pugh, Jones & Johnson would review the work done in its internal investigation by the university's Office of Diversity, Equity and Access.
The decision came from Chancellor Phyllis Wise and Athletic Director Mike Thomas, UI spokesperson Robin Kaler told The News-Gazette, and was made "because of the seriousness of the allegations."
The allegations surfaced a week ago when several letters from players' parents were made public, alleging racism, emotional abuse and mistreatment of injuries by head coach Matt Bollant and assistant coach Mike Divilbiss.