William Studwell doesn’t have the money that Donald Trump has, but the NIU Athletic Department isn’t going to get it anyway.

Studwell’s $100 probably won’t be missed by a department that collects more than $200,000 in donations each year. But the 20-year NIU veteran said he just can’t put up with Athletic Director Gerald O’Dell any longer.

“I just feel the athletic director has made decisions not in the best interests of NIU,” Studwell said.

An avid-fan of NIU’s athletics, Studwell emphasized his devotion to the players. “I’m not trying to hurt the kids.”

However, O’Dell has “embarrassed the university” long enough.

Studwell points to O’Dell’s controversial 1989 firing of Jim Rosborough. Studwell didn’t particularly like Rosborough’s coaching style, but the coach “wasn’t given a fair shake.”

Studwell knows the athletic department’s purse won’t collapse without his check. But he also knows that lip service doesn’t do a lot of good either.

“It is my way of bringing out the fact that the administration of the department is not doing their jobs properly,” Studwell said.

O’Dell should either be fired or the administration should get a tighter grip on his reigns, he said.

Joann Bergren, assistant manager of NIU’s insurance office, said she will not contribute this year for similar reasons. Bergren and her husband Frank were listed as Century Members of the NIU Athletic Fund who gave between $100 and $249.

“The elimination of men’s gymnastics and getting rid of Leo Hensley were the final straws,” Bergren said. Hensley, who was in charge of fundraising for the Athletic Department, was dismissed by O’Dell earlier this semester.

“I’m no longer involved in the program,” Bergren said.

Jack Felver, whose wife Jan is a Huskie representative who contacts potential contributers, said a number of people told his wife they would not contribute to athletics this year.

But Felver said he and his wife will continue to contribute money this year.

Jan Felver declined to comment on reasons why past contributers would not contribute this year.

Daniel Klein, associate professor for physical education, said he fully supports Studwell and others who declined to contribute this year.

“I think people would have legitimate reason if they are withholding their contributions,” Klein said.

“I think people need to look a these things realistically and figure out what is really going on,” he said.

Klein said he does not make contributions to the athletic department.

O’Dell was not available for comment.