I wanted to touch base with you regarding my lawsuit and the fallout it has created for the Nevada Athletic Department. Since the media can only tell a small and sometimes distorted version I felt compelled to speak to you directly.  I want you to know that I have done everything possible to handle this in the best interest of the University.  I did not choose to file this lawsuit; rather I was forced to as a result of the actions by the leadership at the University.

As you know, on August 28, 2007 the Athletic Director terminated my employment at UNR shortly after I reported illegal activity in the Nevada Athletic Department.  On October 16, 2007, I met with President Glick to inform him of numerous examples of NCAA violations and unethical conduct in the Athletic Department under his leadership.  I was hoping that his knowledge of these violations would help him to take corrective actions that include, and are not limited to, reinstating me and addressing the violations responsibly to maintain integrity and to protect the reputation of UNR and NSHE. President Glick declined to handle the violations internally so I was obligated to report these allegations to the NCAA.  My future employment in the NCAA is dependent on it.

I have tremendous respect for the support you all provide to Nevada Athletics.  However, I could not ignore what was going on inside the athletic department.  I was a loyal and highly successful employee that built a championship soccer program for the University of Nevada.  I did so with the highest degree of integrity while earning exceptional annual evaluations from my student-athletes, support staff, and administrators.  My miscalculation was expecting the Athletic Director to lead a department with the same morals and values.  It is disturbingly poetic that the most successful, ethical coach in the department was dismissed from the University and banned from the campus while the violators are still on University payroll.

As I endure the University's defense by defamation strategy, along with the subsequent retaliation in banning me from the public campus, I assure you my determination has never been stronger.  I hope we share the same moral compass under which a Division I athletic department should be lead.  The University has publicly stated that I was involved in an "incident" on campus.  However, I have not been involved in nor have I been informed what this phantom incident is.  It is little wonder that the University has numerous retaliation lawsuits levied against it by current and former employees.

Public officials are appointed to serve the public, not exploit their positions to cover-up wrong doing.  President Glick has traded the honor of serving the citizens of the State of Nevada for his interest in supporting the punishment of reporters of illegal activity on the UNR campus.  The President does not have the authority to direct the campus police to arrest people who have not committed crimes on campus.  The threat of police action sounds like UNR is a police state, not an institution of higher learning.

While my recent whistle-blower hearing resulted in an astonishing decision I assure you that I have 100% confidence that the facts and documents are overwhelmingly in my favor.  When the hearing officer interrupted my testimony in mid-sentence to talk about a Nevada men's basketball game I learned that justice is not always objective. When the hearing officer listed false testimony in his written decision I learned that justice is not always honest.  When the hearing officer applied a burden of proof that does not exist in the Nevada Statute I learned that justice is not always educated.  I look forward to an appeal to a higher authority.

I apologize for any damage this lawsuit may cause to the University.  It is not what I want.  However, I have built a career through hard work and integrity and I will not allow it to be stolen from me.  Anyone who attended my hearing witnessed an embarrassing display of shameful perjury from the athletic department leadership.  I hope you share my belief that we should demand higher ethical standards at an institution of higher learning.  Certainly the student-athletes deserve positive and ethical role-models. 

Thank you for respecting and understanding my right to fight for justice. 

tpatraw@gmail.com

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