Not Good! Coach suspended!

[DrewDog]

From UNI Athletics: "University of Northern Iowa offensive line coach Ben Barkema has been suspended indefinitely from all team-related activities following an arrest last night on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. UNI officials will have no further comment at this time."

[panther-state]

Re: Not Good! Coach suspended!

Yikes! Not smart on Barkema's part.

[vbfan19]

Re: Not Good! Coach suspended!

Rick Nelson's high school team's season is over. maybe he can return as a substitute coach.

[BCPanther]

Re: Not Good! Coach suspended!

He should be unemployed in very short order.

[in_the_stands]

Re: Not Good! Coach suspended!

Don't know how it is working for a state instituion, but I believe private businesses have to offer an employee assistance program before they terminate for an alcohol offense

[vbfan19]

Re: Not Good! Coach suspended!

Don't know how it is working for a state instituion, but I believe private businesses have to offer an employee assistance program before they terminate for an alcohol offense

I think that is dumb.
I do think it is great for businesses to give someone a second chance if the person is willing to make an effort at rehabilitating, but I don't think the business should be forced to.

does that rule apply to other substance abuse or does alcohol get special treatment?

[BCPanther]

Re: Not Good! Coach suspended!

I don't think DUI falls under those rules. There are several companies where its an auto-termination.

[in_the_stands]

Re: Not Good! Coach suspended!

I think that is dumb.
I do think it is great for businesses to give someone a second chance if the person is willing to make an effort at rehabilitating, but I don't think the business should be forced to.

does that rule apply to other substance abuse or does alcohol get special treatment?

After a quick bit of research, it appears employee assistance programs are not mandatory in either the public or private sector. Proponents believe they enhance worker productivity in participating organizations. They cover drug/alcohol abuse, emotional/psychiatric issues, healthcare etc.

It does appear termination is a possibility for the coach, though not automatic. From the UNI Policies and Procedures page:

"Employees
All employees are expected and required to report to work in an appropriate condition to carry out their responsibilities. In particular:

While performing work for the University, operating any University vehicle, or conducting University business, faculty and staff are prohibited from using, being under the influence of, possessing, buying, selling, manufacturing or dispensing an illegal drug (to include possession of drug paraphernalia). Any illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia found on University property will be turned over to University Police and may result in criminal prosecution.
Employees are prohibited from being impaired or under the influence of legal drugs and/or alcohol, including prescription medication, if such impairment or influence adversely affects the employee's work performance, the safety of the employee or others, or creates an unnecessary risk for the University. If taking necessary medication could compromise workplace safety or affect work performance, the employee is responsible for communicating with his/her supervisor to evaluate temporary job modification/re-assignment during the course of the treatment.

Employees who violate this policy may be referred for an educational/treatment program and may be subject to disciplinary action including a formal reprimand, being placed on enforced leave status, suspension, termination and/or referral for prosecution. Employee policy violations shall be addressed by the supervisor, in conjunction with the Director of Human Resource Services and/or the Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs. See also employee handbooks: Merit, P&S, and the Faculty Resource Guide."

http://www.uni.edu/policies/413

[Blue42]

Re: Not Good! Coach suspended!

Hold on fellas. It's a first offense OWI.

There's two kids on the hoops roster who've had the same issue in the last 12 months. ISU just had an RB with the same issue. Iowa's had their share as well.

By all accounts Barkema's been a good add to staff. Not sure they're gonna toss him aside for one mistake.

Now if it happened a 2nd time...then yeah you're done. But let's see how this unfolds after Dannen has a chance to learn all the facts.

I'm guessing he's suspended this week and next week if we win.

[Kyle]

Re: Not Good! Coach suspended!

Holding a middle aged adult receiving a paycheck from UNI to the same standards we expect of our 19-20 year old college kids isn't a good idea IMO.

And don't even get me started about comparing our standard of conduct to the athletes and coaches down the Iowa City or Ames. The last hawkeye basketball player charged with an OWI didn't even miss a single game. And this summer the cyclones held on to a kid charged with a felony before he finally left the team on his own accord. Let's not stoop to that level.

[catsize]

Re: Not Good! Coach suspended!

Holding a middle aged adult receiving a paycheck from UNI to the same standards we expect of our 19-20 year old college kids isn't a good idea IMO.

And don't even get me started about comparing our standard of conduct to the athletes and coaches down the Iowa City or Ames. The last hawkeye basketball player charged with an OWI didn't even miss a single game. And this summer the cyclones held on to a kid charged with a felony before he finally left the team on his own accord. Let's not stoop to that level.

Terry Allen was picked up within a day or two of being hired as the head coach at UNI.

[Big Cats]

Re: Not Good! Coach suspended!

Terry Allen was picked up within a day or two of being hired as the head coach at UNI.

Yeah, but that was a different era. No social media and no cell phone cameras everywhere. It was easier to sweep that stuff under the rug with a comment like "boys will be boys" than it is nowdays. Not that TA was a boy when that happened but...