Badger Bits: The curious case of John Chadima

John Chadima was a senior athletic administrator in the Wisconsin athletic department, overseeing capital projects and serving as administrator for men's and women's golf, wrestling, and football. He arrived at UW in 1990 as director of operations for football, a capacity he served until 1997, and from 2000-2003. When Barry Alvarez took over as athletic director, Chadima joined his senior staff, where he most notably oversaw the $109 million renovation of Camp Randall Stadium.

Last Saturday John Chadima found himself out of a job--placed on administrative leave before resigning--over alleged "misconduct" at the Rose Bowl. It didn't wind up on the LA or Dane County police blotters, but Chadima's reaction was to shut off cell phone service and put his house in Madison on the market. It was bad enough to bring Alvarez back from his vacation in Florida, as well as launch an independent review featuring a former United States attorney and judge, a former assistant chief of police with the UWPD, and two former longtime associate deans of students.

What exactly happened is anyone's guess, though judging by the swift reaction by everyone surrounding the situation the allegations appear to be serious. The Andy Baggot story saw fit to mention that Chadima was known for throwing a party for "unsung members of the UW football entourage" at bowl trips, but that's about it in terms of possible wink-wink-nudge-nudge fodder from the media. Comb internet forums and you will find the heartier accusations you're probably looking for, though all of it is unsubstantiated at this point.

The biggest concern from a fatalist fan's perspective is that Wisconsin finds itself on the long list of scandal-stricken programs from this past season. To that end, the athletic department seems to be doing everything it can to diffuse the situation, taking action while delaying any public announcements of substance. We will see whether any of this becomes relevant at an "ESPN News Break" level. Perhaps this is the last we hear of John Chadima. Maybe this all gets swept under the rug and maybe in the long run that's a good thing. We'll see.

At the very least, it has been fascinating to see Monroe Street apparently lose its mind over a man most had never heard of until this week.

Thursday's Links

Phil Mitten doesn't give us much to feel warm and fuzzy about today against Purdue.

Jeff Potrykus on slowing down 10th-year senior Robbie Hummel.

Jim Polzin laments the loss of Jon Leuer, Keaton Nankivil and Tim Jarmusz.

J.J. Watt gets the New York Times treatment.

UW unable to move the tip-off time for the Nebraska game, which will run up against the Packers on Sunday.

Tom Lea checks in with redshirt freshman guard George Marshall, who has added close to 10 pounds of muscle to his frame already.

Russell Wilson will spurn the Rockies and enter the NFL Draft, where experts don't like him because he is too short and because ... well I guess that's it really.

A lot of mock drafts out there, this one is pretty nice: Peter Konz at No. 21 to the Bengals and Kevin Zeitler at No. 30 to the 49ers.

Al Toon downplayed the severity of his son's foot injury suffered during training sessions in Los Angeles.

Don't expect the spread option any time soon.

Kyle Prater has a hunch.

Potential coaching boondoggle casuality: J.J. Denman, who was selected to play at Big 33 this year.

Final BlogPoll of the season: Wisconsin slates in at No. 9, one spot ahead of Michigan State and two ahead of Michigan.

The hockey team will look to end its road winless streak at Minnesota State-Mankato this weekend.

Hockey also picked up a big-time goal scorer out of Minnesota for the class of 2014: Meet Grant Besse.

Bomani Jones on the the announcement of a potential playoff system, and why it is just a mask for much bigger problems.

Wrapping up: I hate that Craig James voted Wisconsin higher than any other AP voter.