Simon Cvijanovic, a former offensive lineman at Illinois, took to Twitter to accuse head coach Tim Beckman and the program of abuse.
Former Illinois football player accuses head coach of abuse, calls for unions
Simon Cvijanovic made a call to unionize college athletes after making allegations that Illinois head coach Tim Beckman abused him and teammates.
Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports
Cvijanovic suffered a season-ending knee injury against Ohio State last November. He alleges that Beckman mistreated him after the injury, and did not allow Cvijanovic to attend the team’s bowl game or end-of-season banquet. (Beckman has since responded, saying in part, “we have continued to support him with medical care, an academic scholarship and academic advising.”)
Cvijanovic, who has finished his eligibility, used his platform to make a call to unionization for college athletes. He also encouraged others to question Beckman. No doubt the head coach will face some extra heat the next time he has to talk to reporters.
Beckman has been under scrutiny throughout his time at Illinois. The Illini went 2-10 during his first season in 2012 after they went 7-6 in the last year under Ron Zook. Illinois has improved steadily since, but a 6-7 record and a bowl game loss last season should keep Beckman’s seat warm heading into 2015.
Beckman allegedly abused players
Teammate @KennyKnight was attacked by @coachbeckman in the fall of 2013 at practice and his interview w about it @TaylorRooks was covered
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 I'm not the only horror story of abuse and misuse of power by @coachbeckman
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 WHEN @coachbeckman is fired you'll hear plenty more stories but right now he's dangling scholarships like a carrot
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 I love football. How do I leave? Since you have the answers... https://t.co/Yiymb0qLm3
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 What else would I say at the time? I hate coach beckman? It's was a lie. That's my response. https://t.co/1CYyEC3fxf
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 The coach has complete control over scholarship. If he doesn't want you he can make any rule for you to break.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 11, 2015 Beckman allegedly pushed players to play through injuries
I stopped playing football because of my physical health. I was asked to push myself past pain until I didn't want to play anymore. #truth
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 I have to see therapy for the rest of my life because I wasn't given an option to have my knee repaired.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 Coaches think they're doctors but haven't even played 10% as much as I have @coachbeckman #47yearscoach lol
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 My knee had a tear in the meniscus. Takes 6 months to heel if repaired. Ask @drose Instead I was told it was no big deal. Back in two weeks
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 8months later I found out my meniscus is almost completely gone. No MRI's no surgery pictures for 8months
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 Beckman’s medical staff was allegedly underqualified
Toby Harkins worked for months as our head trainer and was not a licensed medical professional in the state of Illinois. He was fired.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 To the players understanding DrGurtler was also fired from his position as the head dr but is still listed as such 2 years later on gameday.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 Why don't my medical records match what happened in meetings with doctors?
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 Beckman allegedly kicked Cvijanovic out of his office for asking questions
I met w @coachbeckman this Friday and was kicked out of his office cuz he couldn't answer y I wasn't invited to the senior banquet.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 I didn't want this to get out because I love my school. But they seem to not care @Illinois_Alma @IlliniAthletics @coachbeckman #Illini
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 4 years starting, big ten media day rep, two time game MVP (Cinci'13/Minn'14), and "Simon's a quitter"-@coachbeckman
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 Ask @coachbeckman harder questions and he will crack. I tried and he did.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 Why was I uninvited to the senior banquet after leaving the team? I was seeing their doctors.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 Why was I not allowed to come to the bowl game after starting in 4 wins
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 Players are misrepresented and should unionize, says Cvijanovic
We don't talk about how we're mistreated because we're then "not a team player" or "soft" but no one pays the bill when we're gone.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 I'm not gonna just keep quiet while players suffer
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 Speak up and unionize. There is NO loss for you unless your coach is a violator https://t.co/0YJYnzmSJg
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 The @NCAA doesn't care, the @BigTenNetwork doesn't care, and the @Illinois_Alma doesn't care #followthemoney
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 The @NCAA reps the universities who rep athletics, but athletics are the jocks and the unv is the nerds.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 There is no one to speak on the behalf of the student athlete
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 The @NCAA has created a monster that spits out problem children. I went in happy and healthy. Now I'm just tweeting about it.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 My girlfriends gets the same scholarship I get and only needs a 3.5gpa. I have to deal with all this bullshit? How was my school free? Plz
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 "Sore loser" you say, I say abused. Our edu isn't free. We have to belittle ourselves to the ranks of livestock. Or our "free" edu goes away
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 You want to truth keep reading cuz I don't have reason to lie anymore. I'm protecting the teammate's I love.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 I have plenty of currently players texting me to keep going so I'm not gonna stop.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015 See More:
