Ex-Illinois OL accuses Tim Beckman of 'abuse and misuse of power'

Former Illinois lineman Simon Cvijanovic accused head coach Tim Beckman of forcing to play through injuries and other forms of "abuse and misuse of power" in a long series of tweets sent Sunday.

SI Wire | May 10, 2015

Ex-Illinois OL accuses Tim Beckman of 'abuse and misuse of power' /

Former Illinois lineman Simon Cvijanovic accused head coach Tim Beckman of forcing to play through injuries and other forms of "abuse and misuse of power" in a long series of tweets sent Sunday.

Cvijanovic, a three-year starter at offensive tackle, missed the last four games of last season after injuring his knee in the Illini's game against Ohio State on Nov. 1. He has exhausted his NCAA eligibility.

Cvijanovic said he met with Beckman in his office Friday to question why he was not invited to the team's end of year banquet and also was not invited to attend the team's bowl game.

Multiple ex-teammates also responded to Cvijanovic's claims on Twitter.

On Sunday, Illinois coach Tim Beckman released a statement.

"Simon Cvijanovic was a valued member of the University of Illinois football team," the statement reads. "He chose to leave the team during the 2014 regular season and withdrew from the university before the end of the semester.

"Upon his return for the spring semester, we have continued to support him with medical care, an academic scholarship and academic advising. We cannot make any student accept our support.

"We wish him success in completing his degree, and we wish him the best of success in whatever he pursues after he graduates."

On Monday, Illinois AD Mike Thomas said during a conference call that Beckman "always put the welfare" of Cvijanovic "above everything else" during his time at Illinois. Thomas also said he takes the allegations very seriously.

"We will have a follow-up," Thomas said. "We will review, and the timeline and who's to be involved will be determined very soon."

A sampling of Cvijanovic's tweets are below. They can all be read here.

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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 (@SimonCvijanovic) May 10, 2015

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 (@SimonCvijanovic) May 10, 2015

I'm not gonna just keep quiet while players suffer
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 10, 2015

Teammate @KennyKnight was attacked by @coachbeckman in the fall of 2013 at practice and his interview w about it @TaylorRooks was covered
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 10, 2015

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 (@SimonCvijanovic) 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 (@SimonCvijanovic) May 10, 2015

I'm not the only horror story of abuse and misuse of power by @coachbeckman
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 10, 2015

Coaches think they're doctors but haven't even played 10% as much as I have @coachbeckman #47yearscoach lol
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 10, 2015

There is no one to speak on the behalf of the student athlete
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 10, 2015

Why was I uninvited to the senior banquet after leaving the team? I was seeing their doctors.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) 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 (@SimonCvijanovic) May 10, 2015

Why don't my medical records match what happened in meetings with doctors?
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) 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 (@SimonCvijanovic) May 10, 2015

8months later I found out my meniscus is almost completely gone. No MRI's no surgery pictures for 8months
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 10, 2015

I have plenty of currently players texting me to keep going so I'm not gonna stop.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 10, 2015

It's a joke that people try using our "free ride" as an excuse for unprofessional behavior. I'm not a "professional", but @coachbeckman is.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 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 (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015

Or make you hate football. This is @coachbeckman 's coaching strategy, conform or you'll really hate it.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015

I quit football because the pressure to get back on the field was too much from @coachbeckman and his staff. I was too injured to continue.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015

I would have pushed through the pain to play in the bowl even for a few series. But wasn't invited.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015

I'm not a quitter and that tweet won't keep it from happening to you. If you don't play it's not your day. https://t.co/4w6rhLuD70
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015

I'm not seeking attention I'm seeking change. The school should know when a student is having issues and be held liable.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015

Several of Cvijanovic's former teammates responded to his claims.

Simon quit on his brothers when we needed him most. These coaches let him stay on scholarship to finish his degree. #truth
— Teddy Karras (@_teddy_k) May 10, 2015

Everyone has a tough journey/story playing collegiate sports. Stop blaming one person or situation and start taking responsibility
— Coach Osei (@MilesOsei) May 10, 2015

There are always flaws no matter where you are. Put all your energy into your teammates and see where that gets you.
— Coach Osei (@MilesOsei) May 10, 2015

If your vision is strong enough you'll find a way to get where you want. No one person can stop that
— Coach Osei (@MilesOsei) May 10, 2015

I left the team but I should have been able to go to banquet and I could have played in bowl game! I'm a little lost
— Matt DiLauro (@DiLauroMatt) May 10, 2015

On Monday, Cvijanovic tweeted more messages about Beckman and Illinois.

I bet @coachbeckman wishes he didn't kick me out his office last Friday. #unprofessional #doesntcare
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015

Any other "job" in the country and Beckman would already have been asked to leave. #unionize now!
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015

I'm using Twitter like a union rep. There is no other outlet. #unionize
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015

And I'm not wrong so just stop wasting your breathe. The NCAA needs a major overhaul.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015

I repeat THIS IS ALL FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE PLAYERS not for me.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015

I don't mean to offend anyone. Only Beckman and the people who've offended me very wrongly.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015

I'm standing up for the voiceless. I hear you.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015

I was treated wrongfully by @coachbeckman and now I'm speaking out to prevent it from happening again.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015

- Dan Gartland

Published May 10, 2015

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