Report: Michigan staffer bought tickets at 11 Big Ten schools
Connor Stalions, the suspended football staffer identified as a “person of interest” in the NCAA’s investigation into sign-stealing at Michigan, bought tickets to more than 30 games at 11 Big Ten schools in the past three years, according to a report Monday by ESPN.com.
Stalions, an analyst with the Wolverines football team, reportedly bought the tickets under his own name and forwarded some to other people in different parts of the country. Stalions was suspended with pay on Thursday after it came to light that he might have been involved in an elaborate scheme to steal future Michigan opponents’ signals by watching games in-person.
According to the ESPN report, Stalions bought tickets on both sides of the stadium across from each team’s bench for last Saturday’s Ohio State-Penn State game in Columbus, though the tickets went unused. Michigan plays at Penn State on Nov. 11 and at home vs. Ohio State on Nov. 25.
One source cited by ESPN said a person in a seat purchased by Stalions at one game in the last three years held up a smart phone and appeared to record video of one team’s bench the entire game, an allegation apparently caught on in-stadium surveillance footage. Recording or attempting to record any opposing player, coach or team staff signals during a game is illegal under NCAA rules.
Stalions reportedly made $55,000 per year for his job on Michigan’s staff. The tickets he purchased the last three years would cost many thousands of dollars, so it’s unclear if he had an additional source of funding.
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has denied any knowledge of anyone in his program stealing opponents’ signals. Harbaugh served a three-game suspension earlier this year for unrelated NCAA violations.
“I want to make it clear that I, and my staff, will fully cooperate with the investigation into this matter,” Harbaugh said. “I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signals, nor have I directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment. I have no awareness of anyone on our staff having done that or having directed that action. I do not condone or tolerate anyone doing anything illegal or against NCAA rules.
“No matter what program or organization that I have led throughout my career, my instructions and awareness of how we scout opponents have always been firmly within the rules. Pursuant to NCAA rules, I will not be able to comment further while this investigation takes place.”
Michigan is 7-0 and ranked No. 2 in the country headed into an open date this week. The Wolverines next play Nov. 4 at home vs. Maryland.