Those in Cyclone Country have upset stomachs these days. It isn’t because the wrestling, gymnastics and women’s basketball teams all have losing records. And it isn’t because the men’s basketball team, just two years separated from back-to-back conference championships, is in for a dogfight to make the NCAA tournament.

As was reported in Wednesday’s Daily, ISU assistant men’s basketball coach Randy Brown is on a leave of absence from the team for “personal reasons.”

This statement, which I was able to get from athletic director Bruce Van De Velde after Saturday night’s basketball game, is a journalist’s nightmare.

I already knew he was missing from the team — when he’s not on the bench, it’s a pretty good clue — and personal reasons could mean anything.

Now, I’m not suggesting either, but those on the message boards — forums for fans to post every rumor under the sun — are.

The facts the Daily has uncovered reveal that a search warrant has been issued to Brown.

Anyone can determine that, simply by logging on to a Web site that stores court records for the State of Iowa.

In other words, we’ve got nothing that Joe Blow with an Internet connection couldn’t find. And after several attempts, with several different people, no one will confirm any specifics about the situation.

After realizing it was going to be very hard to get anyone from Iowa State to go on the record about the matter, I wondered why that is. What is the reason everything is hush-hush?

Tom Kroeschell, director of media relations, didn’t have an answer for me Monday and again stated that Brown is on a leave of absence and has been since Jan. 29. He said Brown is currently still on the ISU basketball staff.

With no one laying down any facts — any at all — speculation within the ISU athletics community runs rampant. Message boards allow anyone to make up any rumor, and there are no repercussions.

So while Iowa State has attempted to keep a lid on the situation, Brown’s reputation — although never previously producing negative news at this university — has taken a major hit.

If you don’t believe me, look at the message boards for yourself.

In fact, it might even be more damaging to Brown for the truth not to be in the public record.

Who knows, but the rumors sure aren’t friendly.

While it’s extremely hard for me to put myself in Brown’s shoes without knowing the truth about the situation, I’m sure he isn’t proud of what’s been written about him. That’s if he’s even logged on to check it out, which I doubt he has.

Some forums have been moderated, not allowing any rumors about Brown’s leave of absence to be posted until the real truth comes out.

Some have said news will probably break this week, while ISU officials say they have no idea when more information will be available.

These types of situations pose a dilemma journalists are faced with every day.

As journalists, we want the truth, so the public can be informed and make their own educated decisions. At the same time, we’re not out to jeopardize any investigations — which might just happen if the news comes out at the wrong time.

The problem lies with the people that aren’t willing to wait for the official word. As is often said, people will talk.

In this case, people have talked. And none of the things I’ve heard are good.

I won’t bring myself to put those rumors in print, because that’s all they are at this time.

And until the official word comes — which unfortunately is in the hands of police officials and a few of Iowa State’s top administrators — no one will know the truth.

It’s a question of impact: Will the truth cause irreparable harm to an investigation?

My hunch is that it will, because the warrant is sealed — meaning authorities can’t disclose the specific details behind the search warrant.

We will wait at the Daily — maybe not patiently — but we will wait for the truth. Please do the same.

Jeff Raasch is a senior in journalism and mass communication from Odebolt. He is the assignment sports editor and senior sports reporter for the Daily.