Rutgers refuses donations to boot Kyle Flood … but people keep giving

Some people really don't like Rutgers head football coach Kyle Flood.

Monday, the Rutgers University Foundation said it won't accept money donated through a GoFundMe page dedicated to raising $1.5 million and buying out Flood's contract. The page's anonymous organizer even acknowledged as much on the site.

And yet donations kept rolling in. By noon Tuesday, the fund was up to more than $8,000, with the latest donation being a $100 gift made three hours earlier. Several donations have been around that size.

"RU Foundation must not realize that it signed up with GoFundMe to become listed as a certified charity," the page's organizaer wrote. "We have not been contacted by anyone with the Foundation. GoFundMe sent a message that everyone will be refunded but at this point not really sure what is happening. #FIREFLOOD"

As a certified charity on GoFundMe, the foundation is eligible to directly receive donations made through the page.

"In the end we love Rutgers, so keep donating to our beloved university. We can only hope the administrations (sic) realizes its errors," the page organizer wrote.

By noon Tuesday, 141 people had donated.

But Laura Stanik, associate vice president for the foundation and alumni communications, told New Jersey 101.5 Monday the GoFundMe page is "wholly unrelated to and not endorsed by the university foundation."

"Will not accept any money donated to the campaign," she said. The foundation has notified GoFundMe of the campaign, and asked that it be taken down. UPDATE: The page remained live through most of Tuesday, but was down by Tuesday afternoon.

The campaign was started by a "Concerned Alumnus," it says on the GoFundMe page. Its administrator did not disclose his or her identity when reached by New Jersey 101.5 via email.

The fundraiser administrator said the page protests both the direction of the football program, and the school's approach to its athletic department: "In summary, you get what you pay for. We have the lowest paid head coach in P5, with arguably the least qualifications to be a head coach of a major football program."

Rutgers has created a fact sheet specifically addressing the campaign, saying it doesn't have Rutgers' consent to use its name or tax ID, and that it won't accept any funds.

The Rutgers Scarlett Knights are 3-6 overall on their season so far, and the Rutgers football program has been plagued by several scandals this year — ones that took key players off the field and Flood off the sidelines.

Several players were charged after an alleged series of violent break-ins and an alleged unprovoked attack. Star player Leonte Carroo missed games while facing charges — later dismissed — related to a hectic brawl outside of a game. And Flood himself was suspended earlier in the season for speaking with a teacher about a player's grades.