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Story below: for endorsing a mayoral candidate
Posted on: March 1, 2025 at 11:17:17 CT
Gary P. MU
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On Friday morning, a formal ethics complaint was filed against Mizzou football coach Eli Drinkwitz for endorsing Columbia mayoral candidate Blair Murphy while acting as an official employee of the University of Missouri.
Columbia citizen Anthony Willroth filed the complaint through the Missouri Ethics Commission, citing a violation of Section 330.050 of the University of Missouri's Collected Rules and Regulations.
Every Tuesday night from 7-8 p.m. during the football season, Drinkwitz appears on weekly radio show "Tiger Talk," which is sponsored by Mizzou Sports Properties and Learfield Sports. He hosts the show per contractual obligations under his coaching contract with the university. During the show on Oct. 22, 2024, Drinkwitz spotted Murphy in the crowd and endorsed him on air.
"You know, Blair (Murphy) has announced his candidacy for mayor of the city of Columbia, and I cannot wait for him to be able to press upon this city of what he wants to do as a mayor candidate," Drinkwitz said. "And so I appreciate your support here, Murph, and look forward to seeing what you bring to this city of Columbia. You know, we've got the Mayor's Cup when we play South Carolina, so you know we're going to have to, you know, ... it'll be a little extra special if Murph can get over the hump there."
Drinkwitz was working on a university-sponsored show in the official capacity, so his endorsement was made as an employee of the University of Missouri and not as a private citizen, the complaint states. Section 330.050.A.1.b of the University of Missouri's Collected Rules and Regulations states that political activity "like any other personal, non-official undertaking, must be done on the individual's own time and should not interfere with University duties."
"We’re aware of the complaint. We will review and address it in accordance with University policies," a spokesperson for Mizzou football said. "As this is a personnel matter, we won’t comment further on it."
Willroth's statement made to the Columbia Missourian is as follows:
"It took me a while to have the confidence that it was, in fact, a violation and to find the appropriate venue to move forward with the complaint. I felt it was my job as a citizen because that is how it is laid out in Missouri ethics statutes.
"Multiple people were mulling this over, and none were taking action, so I did. My hope is to deter similar actions in the future, from Drinkwitz or others in similar positions."
Murphy is running against incumbent Barbara Buffaloe, Tanya Heath and Lucio Bitoy. Drinkwitz made a $10,000 donation to the campaign for Murphy.
Columbia citizen Anthony Willroth filed the complaint through the Missouri Ethics Commission, citing a violation of Section 330.050 of the University of Missouri's Collected Rules and Regulations.
Every Tuesday night from 7-8 p.m. during the football season, Drinkwitz appears on weekly radio show "Tiger Talk," which is sponsored by Mizzou Sports Properties and Learfield Sports. He hosts the show per contractual obligations under his coaching contract with the university. During the show on Oct. 22, 2024, Drinkwitz spotted Murphy in the crowd and endorsed him on air.
"You know, Blair (Murphy) has announced his candidacy for mayor of the city of Columbia, and I cannot wait for him to be able to press upon this city of what he wants to do as a mayor candidate," Drinkwitz said. "And so I appreciate your support here, Murph, and look forward to seeing what you bring to this city of Columbia. You know, we've got the Mayor's Cup when we play South Carolina, so you know we're going to have to, you know, ... it'll be a little extra special if Murph can get over the hump there."
Drinkwitz was working on a university-sponsored show in the official capacity, so his endorsement was made as an employee of the University of Missouri and not as a private citizen, the complaint states. Section 330.050.A.1.b of the University of Missouri's Collected Rules and Regulations states that political activity "like any other personal, non-official undertaking, must be done on the individual's own time and should not interfere with University duties."
"We’re aware of the complaint. We will review and address it in accordance with University policies," a spokesperson for Mizzou football said. "As this is a personnel matter, we won’t comment further on it."
Willroth's statement made to the Columbia Missourian is as follows:
"It took me a while to have the confidence that it was, in fact, a violation and to find the appropriate venue to move forward with the complaint. I felt it was my job as a citizen because that is how it is laid out in Missouri ethics statutes.
"Multiple people were mulling this over, and none were taking action, so I did. My hope is to deter similar actions in the future, from Drinkwitz or others in similar positions."
Murphy is running against incumbent Barbara Buffaloe, Tanya Heath and Lucio Bitoy. Drinkwitz made a $10,000 donation to the campaign for Murphy.
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Story below: for endorsing a mayoral candidate - Gary P. MU - 3/1 11:17:17