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Iowa‘s athletics department will pay the entire settlement of more than $4 million to a group of Black former football players who sued the university for alleged racial discrimination.

University president Barbara Wilson on Thursday said the athletic department will reimburse $2 million to the state’s general fund for the settlement. Iowa’s state appeals board on Monday voted 2-1 to approve $2 million of state money to cover about half of the settlement. The university’s athletic department had already been set to cover the other half.

“I appreciate the work and due diligence of the Iowa Attorney General and State Appeal Board,” Wilson’s statement read. “After listening to the concerns of Iowans, and in consultation with Board of Regents leadership, I have determined that the University of Iowa Department of Athletics will reimburse the state general fund for the $2 million due to the recent settlement. I am deeply committed to our students’ success and well-being on and off the field of play.”

State auditor Rob Sand, part of the three-member appeals board, voted against using state money for the settlement. Sand also called for the firing of longtime Iowa athletics director Gary Barta, citing several discrimination lawsuits during his tenure that led to large settlement payouts.

The previous settlements were paid entirely by Iowa athletic department funds. They included a $6.5 million payout in 2017 to settle a lawsuit over the firing of former field hockey coach Tracey Griesbaum.

Wilson did not mention Barta or his job status in her statement Thursday. Barta has led Iowa’s athletic department since 2006.

“It reminds me of that scene in ‘Zoolander’ when Will Ferrell says, ‘I feel like I’m taking crazy pills here,'” Sand told ESPN on Monday after the vote. “I don’t know why taxpayers are paying $2 million for this. Can you imagine someone in the private sector still having their job after four settlements?

“… This doesn’t mean that Gary Barta hasn’t worked hard at his job. At the end of the day, when you’ve had four settlements related to discrimination, you have to say enough is enough.”

Iowa’s athletic department on Monday released a statement saying it remains committed to establishing “an inclusive and welcoming environment” for all athletes and staff members.

Longtime football coach Kirk Ferentz expressed great disappointment in the decision to settle the lawsuit, saying negotiations occurred between the players’ attorney, Damario Solomon-Simmons, and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. Ferentz also cited a motion for summary judgment that had been filed outlining why the case should be dismissed.

“These discussions took place entirely without the knowledge or consent of the coaches who were named in the lawsuit,” Ferentz said in a statement. “In fact, the parties originally named disagree with the decision to settle, fully believing that the case would have been dismissed with prejudice before trial. … We have been told the reason for the settlement is financial. As part of the settlement, the coaches named were dismissed from the lawsuit and there is no admission of any wrongdoing.

“For more than two years, our program has been unfairly and negatively impacted by these allegations.”

Barta; Ferentz; his son and offensive coordinator, Brian Ferentz; and former strength coach Chris Doyle were dismissed from the lawsuit last week.

According to the proposed settlement, some $2.85 million would be divided among 12 players and $1.9 million would go to Solomon Simmons Law for fees and expenses. One player was not included in the settlement for reasons not immediately known.

In addition, the university would direct $90,000 to support graduate or professional school tuition for the plaintiffs, with no individual receiving more than $20,000, and provide mental health counseling for the plaintiffs through March 15, 2024. The athletic department also is required to hire University of Texas Black studies professor Leonard Moore to oversee a five-year diversity, equity and inclusion plan.

The lawsuit filed in November 2020 involved 13 Black former players, including former star running back Akrum Wadley and career receptions leader Kevonte Martin-Manley. They alleged they were demeaned with racial slurs, forced to abandon Black hairstyles, fashion and culture to fit the “Iowa Way” promoted by Ferentz, and retaliated against for speaking out.

The players initially sought $20 million in damages plus the firings of Barta and the Ferentzes.

Doyle agreed to leave Iowa five months before the lawsuit was filed after widespread accusations that he used his position as strength coach to bully and disparage former players, particularly those who are Black. Iowa agreed to pay Doyle $1.1 million in a resignation agreement.

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MLB: Iassogna crew chief, plate umpire for ASG

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MLB: Iassogna crew chief, plate umpire for ASG

NEW YORK — Dan Iassogna will be the umpire crew chief and work the plate during Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Atlanta’s Truist Park.

His crew will include Marvin Hudson at first, Chris Segal at second, Jansen Visconti at third, Jeremie Rehak in left and Erich Bacchus in right, Major League Baseball said Thursday.

Iassogna, 56, will work his second All-Star Game. He was at third base for the 2011 game at Arizona.

He worked his first big league game in 1999, was hired to the major league staff in 2004 and appointed a crew chief ahead of the 2020 season. Iassogna umpired the World Series in 2012, ’17 and ’22 along with eight League Championship Series and seven Division Series.

Segal, Visconti, Rehak and Bacchus will work their first All-Star Games and Hudson his second after being in left field in 2004 at Houston.

Tony Randazzo will be the replay umpire in New York.

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A’s Rooker joins list of HR Derby participants

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A's Rooker joins list of HR Derby participants

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Athletics slugger Brent Rooker is adding his name to the list of Home Run Derby participants.

Rooker announced Thursday that he’s participating in the event, which takes place Monday in Atlanta. He will become the first Athletics player in the Home Run Derby since Matt Olson in 2021.

“Competing in the Home Run Derby has always been a dream of mine,” Rooker said in an Instagram post. “Can’t wait to make it happen next week in Atlanta! See ya there!”

Rooker, 30, entered Thursday with a .270 batting average, 19 homers and 50 RBIs, putting him on pace for a third straight season of at least 30 homers. He went deep 30 times in 2023 and had 39 homers in 2024.

His 58 homers since the start of the 2024 season rank him third among all American League players.

The only A’s to win the Derby were Mark McGwire in 1992 and Yoenis Céspedes in 2013 and 2014.

Other announced participants include Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr., Minnesota’s Byron Buxton, Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero, Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and Washington’s James Wood.

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Mets recall Acuna from Triple-A, DFA Jankowski

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Mets recall Acuna from Triple-A, DFA Jankowski

BALTIMORE — The New York Mets recalled 23-year-old utility man Luisangel Acuna from Triple-A Syracuse before Thursday’s split doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles.

The brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr., Luisangel Acuña went 13-for-45 (.286) for Syracuse after the Mets optioned him in late June.

Capable of playing second base, shortstop or the outfield, Acuna had batted .241 in 65 games before going to the minors.

“He was a big part of this team the first couple of months,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters. “We got to a point where we felt like, ‘Hey, let’s get him some everyday playing time. ‘And now it’s time for him to be back up here, continuing to help us win baseball games.”

In a corresponding move, the Mets designated outfielder Travis Jankowski for assignment.

Acuna was on the bench for New York’s first game of the doubleheader.

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