University of Illinois reaches $250,000 settlement agreement with Simon Cvijanovic

The University of Illinois has reached a $250,000 settlement with Simon Cvijanovic.

The former Fighting Illini offensive lineman accused the coaching staff of mistreatment in a 2015 Twitter rant, and investigations ultimately played a role in the dismissals of head coach Tim Beckman and athletic director Mike Thomas.

Cvijanovic tweeted out a screenshot of the following press release on Monday night, and it detailed the settlement in greater length. In addition to a statement from Chancellor Robert Jones, the document outlined that the funds were paid from the university’s self-insurance plan.

The University of Illinois and former Fighting Illini football player, Simon Cvijanovic, have reached an agreement to resolve all potential claims arising from Cvijanovic’s participation in the Illinois football program. Negotiated through University Counsel and Cvijanovic’s attorneys, Dan Kotin and Bob Geimer of the Chicago law firm Tomasik Kotin Kasserman, the agreement provides financial support to allow Cvijanovic to address his current and any future health issues. Cvijanovic received a one-time payment of $250,000 to compenstate for the injuries and medical expenses he sustained during his time as a football player at Illinois. The negotiated agreement is final and did not require Board of Trustees approval. The settlement was paid with funds from the University’s self-insurance plan.

With new leadership in place for the athletic program and the football team, the University has demonstrated a commitment to the health and well-being of all Fighting Illini student-athletes. “The health and welfare of our student-athletes is a priority for us — both while they are on campus and in the years after they graduate,” said Chancellor Robert J. Jones. “We want to ensure that they have outstanding educational experiences at Illinois and that they leave here prepared to lead lives and careers of impact. We sincerely hope this agreement helps Mr. Cvijanovic resolve any continuing health concerns and lets him focus on his future goals and aspirations.”

“As a proud alumnus of the University of Illinois, I am pleased to see necessary administrative changes have been made in efforts of prioritizing player safety.” said Cvijanovic, a 2015 graduate, and four-time varsity letter winner. “I am hopeful that these actions and outcomes will nurture a wholesome, positive educational experience for all students on all campuses in our future.”

Cvijanovic originally claimed that Illinois coaches were abusing players during practice, withholding medical information, and seeking opinions from unlicensed medical professionals.

As the press release referenced, the Fighting Illini have installed new athletic department leadership since these issues came to light, and they’ve already gone to great lengths to ensure protections for student-athletes.