As of 2 p.m. Monday, there was nearly $7,000 sitting in a GoFundMe account that purports to be dedicated to buying out Rutgers University's Head Football coach at $1.5 million.

It's obviously a pie-in-the-sky protest effort — the $7,000 amounts to a tiny fraction of the hypothetically needed money. But more than that: The campaign, started by an anonymous individual, states the money goes "straight to the Rutgers University Foundation," which tells New Jersey 101.5 it has no interest in and no connection to the effort.

The GoFundMe page does list the foundation as a "certified charity" — meaning GoFundMe recognizes it as legitimate, and that donations should go directly to it.

But Laura Stanik, associate vice president for the foundation and alumni communications, said 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. As of 2 p.m. Monday, it remained up.

Stanik said she's not sure if anyone associated with the campaign has been contacted by an organizer or through GoFundMe's process for turning over control of an account to its beneficiary. She said she's check on that, and on whether foundation representatives have been in touch with any law enforcement.

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 "we felt it would be appropriate to start a fundraising effort allowing the smaller donors a chance to band together and give us all a voice that can be heard. We are no different or less important than those who donate significantly more and have direct access to the administration."

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."

"Furthermore, we are also deeply disappointed that by the university response at this time. The monies raised through gofundme were directly designated to the Rutgers University Foundation, regardless of outcome. Not one cent would go to anyone outside of Rutgers aside from gofundme's processing fee."

The fundraiser administrator said he or she wasn't sure what would happen ifthe foundation rejected the processing fee, so "I assume gofundme would process refunds to everyone who donated."

Some of the donations are as large as $100.

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 campaign itself originally lead in in with only a simple message to supporters, telling them "#FIREFLOOD. We deserve better. The players deserve better.  It is time to get serious about competing in the Big 10. Show (University President) Barchi we care about R Football."

An update Monday afternoon told would-be supporters: There is word that the university does not want our charitable donations. I'm not really sure why a charity organization would refuse money. Only at Rutgers."

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.

For his part, Flood says he's not going anywhere.

"I hope they have a good charity to give it to,’’ APP.com reports Flood said about the fundraising effort. "If they need any advice on a charity to give it to I would be more than happy to point out a few that I am affiliated with because I plan on being here.’’

 

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