[NU Sports] OSU game highlighted Randy Walker's shortcomings

[cherron604 at aol.com]

>From the Associated Press (via the Northwest Herald Online Edition, Aug 16, 2005)
 
"By DON BABWIN
The Associated Press 
CHICAGO ? A Cook County judge approved a $16 million settlement of a lawsuit on Monday that calls for Northwestern University to pay the family of a football player who collapsed and died during practice four years ago."
 
Note that it says 'calls for Northwestern University to pay the family'.
 
A little further down:
 
"Cubbage said the school is "reviewing its options in regard to the portion of the lawsuit between Northwestern and the supplement manufacturers." 
Insurance will cover Northwestern's portion of the settlement, said Cubbage, who wouldn't elaborate." 
 
So strictly speaking, an insurance company (and potentially some supplement manufacturers) will write checks.  But insurance companies don't just swallow hard and sign - a $16 million dollar settlement will hit the University in higher premiums and added costs elsewhere.
 
A basic reading of the Associated Press story, however, states that Northwestern will pay the family.  That they choose to do it by way of insurance and claims against supplement makers does not change the essential nature of that first line - that Northwestern is paying.
 
As a graduate and contributor, I would prefer to see the University's money going to educational purposes - not to insurance companies (through higher premiums, or added cost to self-insure), or additional litigation against manufacturers of supplements.
 
Chuck Herron   Tech '85
 
  
-----Original Message-----
From: NUMBalum78
To: nwu-sports at tssi.com
Sent: Wed, 16 Nov 2005 6:40:24 PM Eastern Standard Time
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] OSU game highlighted Randy Walker's shortcomings


Chuck, 
 
I don't believe your statement below is factually accurate.   In all the press reports I read, it was Northwestern's INSURANCE companies who were prepared to write the $16 million settlement check -- not NU itself.  It's not as if the university had a $16 million pot of money that could be spent however NU wished.  
 
In addition, I have seen no evidence that a $16 million check was written back in August when the settlement offer was made.  The settlement is being challenged in court by Linda Will and to the best of my knowledge has not been finalized -- hence no check.  
 
Based on the facts as I understand them, your statement is inaccurate and misleading. 
 
Lee
 
 
In a message dated 11/16/2005 4:06:30 PM Eastern Standard Time, cherron604 at aol.com writes:
And don't forget that, in August, the University wrote a check for $16 MILLION to settle the wrongful death claim of a football player - money that could have paid the full $29,940 2004-2005 NU tuition for 534 students.