College Football

Report: Columbia gridders allege coach downplayed concussions

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:15 p.m. ET

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If an 0-10 season and current 21-game losing streak weren't enough for Columbia University to deal with, the Lions' players have added to the Ivy League school football program's growing list of issues.

According to the Columbia Spectator, 25 players combined to write a letter addressed to University President Lee Bollinger and board of trustees members laying out a series of allegations against third-year coach Pete Mangurian. Among the grievances: Mangurian pressured players to play through head injuries.

"Pete Mangurian has consistently denied the diagnoses of concussions," the Spectator reported the letter as stating. "There are several players who will speak to the fact that Mangurian told them to return to practice, that they are faking their concussions, and that they are being soft if they sit out for their concussion injury."

Other allegations have been levied against Mangurian in the letter, which the Spectator says has since been withdrawn.

In addition to blaming the coach for "creating age-based rifts within the team and mishandling concussions," the Spectator reports the letter accuses Mangurian of "being physically abusive, alienating injured players and imposing drastic and unrealistic weight regimens."

"You are terrible [expletive] people," Mangurian allegedly told his players after a 42-7 loss to Albany on Sept. 27. "The world would be a better place without you."

In response to a request for comment from Mangurian, a Columbia University spokesperson said, “The University routinely reviews complaints and concerns raised by students, but we generally do not comment on specific cases or individuals.” 

Athletic Director M. Dianne Murphy acknowledged the existence of the letter, but had no further comment.

"I'm aware of the letter," she told the Spectator. "That's all I can say about it."

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