LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska will allow a recruit accused of sexual abuse to join the football team, but coach Bill Callahan says a "zero tolerance" policy will be in effect for defensive back Major Culbert.
Major Culbert
Culbert was sentenced this month in Eugene, Ore., to five years of probation and 25 days in jail after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of criminal trespassing and harassment in connection with an incident during his January recruiting visit to the University of Oregon.
Culbert, from Harbor City, Calif., and another player on the recruiting visit originally were charged with sexually abusing two women in a dormitory room.
Callahan met Wednesday with Culbert and his family, then announced that Culbert would be among the 105 players who would report for preseason practice next Wednesday.
"The charges against Major in Oregon have been reduced to a misdemeanor, but we take this situation very seriously," Callahan said.
For Culbert to have his scholarship reinstated, Callahan said, he had to agree to a series of requirements and restrictions. Those conditions weren't specified, other than that Culbert would have to perform community service in Lincoln.
"We have granted him a second chance to be a part of our program, and, accordingly, he will operate under a zero-tolerance policy from this point forward," Callahan said. "We believe his willingness to accept these terms reflects positively on his character and commitment to focus on academics and athletics while here at Nebraska."
I already posted this in another thread but here it is again. I found this in the OWH today. Good luck Major! My moto is "surround yourself with good people and you will go to good places" And yes the charges were incredibly over zealous. Oregon is that way. In Oregon there are certain offenses that are pushe too far then even the judge has no choice on the punishment. The victums of this crime said the charges were way too tough and they felt is should be lessened and they also said that they didn't feel this was something that should stop them from having their college careers and their records destroyed for ever. Major would have had to be labeled a sex offender the rest of his life. Yes he screwed up and I am glad the Coach is handling it this way, but, this was blown WAY out of proportion. Everybody has life lessons to learn. Lets hope Major learns and is VERY successful in whatever the future holds for him. After all, he is still a kid.