Lyons: Illinois has put student-athletes in bad spot

Posted on September 4, 2019
Larry Lyons
Illinois State University Athletic Director Larry Lyons spoke Wednesday with WJBC’s Scott Miller.(Photo courtesy goredbirds.com)

 

By Neil Doyle

NORMAL – Illinois State University Athletic Director Larry Lyons is making sure student-athletes are prepared for new laws in the state that include sports betting and recreational marijuana.

Lyons told WJBC’s Scott Miller he met with all ISU student-athletes before the school year to address both areas. Lyons said he’s concerned about sports gambling and how it could impact college athletics.

“The state has put athletes in a bad spot quite frankly.  They’re now all targets of potential gamblers who want inside information on fellow student-athletes.  That’s just a really bad spot to put an 18 or 20-year old kid.”

Sportsbooks in the state are still not up and running. The Illinois Gaming Board is working on rules and regulations for the expansion.  It recently opened a month-long public comment period seeking input from the sports-wagering industry.

Lyons also spoke to athletes about recreational cannabis.

“One of the things I reminded them is the legality of it.  Weed is still against NCAA rules, and its not legal federally.  ISU receives federal funds, so that means its illegal anywhere on campus, I don’t think a lot of them knew that.”

The recreational marijuana law goes into effect Jan. 1.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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