ACLU Urges OU to Lift Gag Order on Student-Athletes

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has indicated in a letter that Oakland University's policy of preventing student-athletes from speaking to the media about former coach Beckie Francis might be unconstitutional, according to the Oakland Post.

According to the report, the ACLU sent a four-page letter Sept. 12 to Interim President Betty Youngblood and Athletic Director Tracy Huth, and the university has yet to reply.

The ACLU's staff attorney, Brooke Tucker, told the post the organization remains hopeful OU will take action based on the request stated in the letter.

The letter, which is embedded above this story, describes Francis' alleged behavior toward her players was a matter of "intense public concern." 

Jenna Bachrouche, a former OU player who practices Islam, said this year that Francis tried to convert her to Christianity and also ridiculed her over weight gain after an injury.