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MACOMB, Ill. (WGEM) -- For all Western Illinois University ex-football coach Don Patterson accomplished during his decade-long tenure at WIU, Patterson says it was swiftly wiped away following a late September meeting with Tim VanAlstine, WIU athletic director, and Garry Johnson, WIU vice-president for student services.
A few hours after that meeting, a press release was issued claiming Patterson, who was diagnosed in September 2008 with tonsillar cancer, had stepped down for health reasons. (See 'Don Patterson steps down as WIU football coach') The release included quotes from Patterson which his agent, Barry Nadler, said was complete fabrication. (See 'Sources: WIU's Patterson did not voluntarily step down')
"When the university President was informed that false information was released to the public, nothing happened," Nadler said. "There was no consequences to the athletic director that we know about, and the fraud upon the public was just continued."
Three months later, Patterson's representatives are not sitting back and waiting for the next move. Monday, they filed an administrative notice with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office in a preemptive move to begin a lawsuit against Western Illinois University.
Patterson's lead attorney, Frank Harty told WGEM Sports they plan to file a motion with Western Illinois University in the coming days in an attempt to reinstate Patterson as head coach.
A few hours after that meeting, a press release was issued claiming Patterson, who was diagnosed in September 2008 with tonsillar cancer, had stepped down for health reasons. (See 'Don Patterson steps down as WIU football coach') The release included quotes from Patterson which his agent, Barry Nadler, said was complete fabrication. (See 'Sources: WIU's Patterson did not voluntarily step down')
"When the university President was informed that false information was released to the public, nothing happened," Nadler said. "There was no consequences to the athletic director that we know about, and the fraud upon the public was just continued."
Three months later, Patterson's representatives are not sitting back and waiting for the next move. Monday, they filed an administrative notice with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office in a preemptive move to begin a lawsuit against Western Illinois University.
Patterson's lead attorney, Frank Harty told WGEM Sports they plan to file a motion with Western Illinois University in the coming days in an attempt to reinstate Patterson as head coach.
Link to the rest of the article... http://www.wgem.com/Global/story.asp?S=11767809
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