NCAA Investigating Alleged Photo of Connor Stalions on Central Michigan's Sideline
Joseph Zucker@@JosephZucker
Featured Columnist IVNovember 6, 2023
The NCAA is now working with Central Michigan to investigate whether former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions gained access to the Chippewas' sideline for their 31-7 loss to Michigan State on Sept. 1.
Central Michigan athletic director Amy Folan confirmed Monday the school is working alongside with the NCAA after having first opened an inquiry into the matter:
Adam Rittenberg @ESPNRittenbergThe NCAA has joined Central Michigan in investigating a man resembling ex-Michigan staff member Connor Stalions, who appeared on the CMU sideline Sept. 1 against Michigan State. The unidentified man wore CMU-issued gear and had a bench area credential.<br><br>Statement below: <a href="https://t.co/e7khtCnEJJ">pic.twitter.com/e7khtCnEJJ</a>
Having been suspended by the school, Stalions resigned from his job with Michigan as he continues to be the center of a sign-stealing scandal.
Among the developments as the story unfolded was that he reportedly purchased tickets to numerous games around the country that featured either a Big Ten school or a program Michigan could theoretically face in the postseason.
Attempting to decode signs through available footage such as television broadcasts is within NCAA rules. Staffers—or third parties whose services they solicit—are prohibited from videoing the sideline explicitly for that purpose.
The Wolverines' sign-stealing operation was apparently an open secret among some of the schools they played.
The situation quickly veered into the absurd as eagle-eyed college football fans identified a person on the CMU sideline purportedly to be Stalions in disguise. That prompted Central Michigan to examine if Stalions had actually found his way to the sideline.
Chris Vannini @ChrisVanniniCentral Michigan is investigating if the person on the right here is Connor Stalions on the CMU sideline at Michigan State earlier this season. <br><br>AD Amy Folan: "We became aware of these photos late yesterday and we are in the process of determining the facts surrounding them." <a href="https://t.co/ncazAghBbS">pic.twitter.com/ncazAghBbS</a>
Chris Vannini @ChrisVanniniNEW: <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a> has obtained more photos of the goatee'd sunglasses person on the Central Michigan sideline at Michigan State. <br><br>CMU is looking into whether this is Connor Stalions. <br><br>Story: <a href="https://t.co/79siEcZ89r">https://t.co/79siEcZ89r</a> <a href="https://t.co/R5AyslTIWF">pic.twitter.com/R5AyslTIWF</a>
Chippewas head coach Jim McElwain addressed the matter on Oct. 31. He confirmed Stalions hadn't at the very least obtained a sideline pass in his own name.
The Athletic's Nicole Auerbach and Chris Vannini reported the NCAA isn't expected to make any final judgments before the end of the current season. The pressure to act is building on Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti, though.
Ross Dellenger and Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports reported on Nov. 2 that Big Ten athletic directors "continued to encourage action from the league" durng a recent meeting with Pettiti. ESPN's Pete Thamel reported coaches from the conference also spoke with Pettiti, and in their meeting "a chorus of voices encouraged Petitti to take action against Michigan."
Thamel added a suspension to Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh is the most likely outcome if the Big Ten decides to issue any discipline.