2 Husker wrestlers dismissed from team
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BY KARL VOGEL / Lincoln Journal Star
Paul Donahoe, a 2007 national champion, and Kenny Jordan were dismissed from the Nebraska wrestling team after the school determined they had violated NCAA rules.
Josh White, NU’s assistant athletic director for compliance, told The Associated Press that Donahoe and Jordan were declared ineligible because they violated an NCAA rule that prohibits athletes from receiving compensation for the use of their images by anyone seeking commercial gain.
In recent weeks, the NU athletic department learned that Donahoe and Jordan, both of whom qualified for the 2008 NCAA Championships, had posed for pictures that were posted on a Web site that features gay pornographic images. The pictures allegedly showed each of the wrestlers naked or partially clothed.
A membership to the Web site costs $24.95 per month.
NCAA athletes are not allowed to knowingly let pictures of themselves be used for commercial purposes. Athletes would be considered ineligible for competition if they accept any compensation or permit the use of their image to advertise, recommend or promote directly any commercial endeavor.
White said both Jordan and Donahoe had violated the rule and said each wrestler would have to apply to the NCAA for reinstatement if they were to choose to wrestle for another school.
Nebraska coach Mark Manning, in a statement released by the athletic department, said this incident was not the sole factor considered before the decision was reached to dismiss the two wrestlers.
“The history of behavior of these men, including the current matter, does not reflect the standard of excellence we aspire to on and off the mat,” Manning said.
“… We will move forward in a positive manner toward our goals. I want to personally apologize for any embarrassment that may have been caused for our athletic department, the university and our fans.”
When contacted by the Journal Star on Tuesday afternoon, Manning said he would have no further comment.
Donahoe, a senior from Davison, Mich., was the 2007 NCAA champion at 125 pounds and finished third in 2008 as a junior after winning the Big 12 Conference title.
In April, Donahoe was arrested and taken to jail by Lincoln police after they were called to investigate a loud party. Police said Donahoe was argumentative and refused to help in breaking up the party. He was convicted in May of maintaining a disorderly house and fined $250.
Jordan, a junior from Frankfort, Ill., was fourth at the Big 12 Championships in March and earned an at-large berth into the NCAA meet, where he lost a first-round match and left the tournament because of an injury default before the start of consolation matches.
Jordan came to NU out of high school, but transferred to Lincoln (Ill.) Community College the next year and won the 2007 National Junior College Athletic Association national championship at 133 pounds before returning to the Husker program last fall.
The Associated Press reported that Jordan has paid fines in Lincoln for possessing or consuming alcohol as a minor, trespassing and assault.
Reach Karl Vogel at 473-7432 or kvogel@journalstar.com.
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