Colo. Football Parents Fight Back

Several dozen parents of University of Colorado football players spoke out in support of the program and their children Sunday, saying they were tired of seeing their sons painted with the broad brush of scandal.

The parents also expressed unequivocal support for head coach Gary Barnett, who was placed on administrative leave last week by CU President Elizabeth Hoffman after he had criticized the athletic ability of a female kicker who alleges a fellow player raped her when she was on the team.

"We're proud to have our sons as part of the football program at the University of Colorado," said Ronnie Gordon, mother of an offensive lineman. "Give us back our coach."

In just over a week, a commission appointed by the university's board of regents will hold its first public meeting into allegations that the school used sex to lure football recruits, reports Rick Sallinger of CBS station KCNC.

"I've known this man to be a man of the highest integrity," said Gary Klatt, father of starting quarterback Joel Klatt.

Barnett's suspension was the latest development in a burgeoning scandal that has seen three women file lawsuits alleging they were assaulted by players and high-school recruits during or after an off-campus party in 2001.

The parents, who spoke at a Boulder hotel Sunday, would not discuss any of the allegations but defended their children and the team.

"Pointing fingers laying blame at anybody right now is not going to solve the problem," said Mark Walters, whose son plays for the team.

Brad Littlehales, whose son Tyler is a wide receiver, described the charges against the program as a "general attack against our sons," and said the team was probably more united as a result of the scandal.

The parents said they wanted an investigation into the football program to go forward as quickly as possible.

"As coach Barnett has clearly said, he's going nowhere," said Bob Creighton of Niwot, whose son, Paul, is a tight end.