On Thursday, Husch Blackwell released his findings from his investigation of the Iowa Hawkeyes soccer program around racial bias and allegations of bullying. One of the featured players he has spoken to repeatedly is former star running back Akrum Wadley.
One of the most alarming allegations Wadley made was that Iowa denied him access to food during his career in Iowa. This is what he said earlier this month.
“I was threatened by (the Iowa head coach) Kirk Ferentz my food card would be taken away and I will not be able to eat or sit with my teammates during meal sessions, “Wadley said.” He carried out his threat. I went to use my food card and it was declined. “
“I had to call my mother from New Jersey at 10 or 11 at night because I was hungry to order Dominos Pizza for me. Or he would have to go to a fanatic’s house earlier in the evening to eat because there was no way he could survive the next day by vomiting, being weak, and could pass school and practice that day. “
On Thursday, Ferentz gave his first comments on specific allegations since the allegations came to light on June 5.
“Some of the things just weren’t true,” Ferentz said of Wadley’s allegations. “We have never withheld a [meal] card. I am not a great record. Ben Hensen is meticulous. It never happened. I think it was said that I said derogatory things at a press conference about an individual. Those are a matter of record, and some of you may have searched for them. I will back up what I said at those press conferences. As recently as May 26, his mother and I were having good conversations. It didn’t make sense that it was that bad, frankly. “
“I’ll take care of that too. And during the course of … we came back from California, conversations with his mother about trying to get him into the XFL, a job his agent probably should have been doing, but trying to help and knew some people in the XFL. I think he went to Atlanta as a result of that conversation, so yes, I was surprised. “
Wadley played for Iowa from 2013 to 2017. During his junior and senior seasons, Wadley became one of four runners in school history to run for more than 1.00 yards in consecutive seasons. He ended his career with 536 carries for 2,872 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns, adding 71 sacks for 761 receiving yards and seven scores.
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