Wisconsin Football: Deafening Silence for Fans Around Former Official's Case

Stiff arms are meant for football fields, not investigations concerning state employees. 

But that is exactly what is happening in the peculiar case of now former senior associate athletic director John Chadima. An abrupt resignation after a stint on administrative leave left many who monitor the athletic program scratching their heads. With no details and brisk "no comments" steadily coming out of the school's offices, the collective imaginations of Badger fans are running wild.

Why? 2011 was plagued by scandal and the Wisconsin faithful are praying the school does not become 2012's first ethical casualty.

Penn State changed everything. Today, once-private personnel issues become the subject of major scrutiny. A bigger microscope is placed on executives like Chadima, who has been on staff at the university since Barry Alvarez was hired in 1990. That microscope is then placed under a magnifying glass when that person turns off his cell phone and puts his Madison home up for sale.  

A panel has been set up to review the allegations of "misconduct" by Chadima, but the public is mystified by the secrecy of the entire investigation. Multiple outlets have reported that no criminal charges have been filed in connection with Chadima. 

It's not just the students and ticket holders who have questions. Legislators are jumping into the fray as well. State Assembly Representative Stephen Nass is demanding transparency in the school's dealings with Chadima. A news release from Nass' office states "...it’s starting to appear that the announced inquiry may be more of activity to contain information from the public and to control institutional damage."

Rumors continue to swirl about connections to a Rose Bowl party, but those insinuations remain unsubstantiated. 

The world saw how Happy Valley collapsed into a heap of distrust and disgust. Rumors and whispers became terminations and indictments.

Even if Chadima's alleged misdeeds pale in comparison, the University of Wisconsin is losing the trust of its students, alumni and fans every moment the leadership remains silent.