UofK cheerleaders nude
UofK cheerleader coaches all fired! Cheerleader advisor also retired after 40 years of service. UofK to hold news conference over reports of hazing and nudity reported by parents.
UK fires cheerleading coaches, advisor after investigation reveals hazing and public nudity
By Eric Crawford
Published Mon May 18, 2020 10:30 AM EDT
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The University of Kentucky on Monday announced the firing of all four of its cheerleading coaches and a longtime advisor after an internal investigation found incidents of alcohol use, hazing and public nudity during off-campus events.
After a three-month investigation, UK has dismissed head Coach Jomo Thompson and assistant coaches Ben Head, Spencer Clan and Kelsey LaCroix from their duties with the program, which has won 24 national championships in the past 35 years and developed hundreds of outstanding students.
The investigation also found lax oversight and poor judgment by T. Lynn Williamson, who served as the cheerleading program's advisor for four decades. Williamson, whose primary university job was principal deputy general counsel, retired days after learning of the investigation and being directed to have no contact with the cheerleading squad.
The investigation began in February after a student's parent contacted the school with concerns.
"A commitment we make and renew every day at the University of Kentucky is that the success of our students is at the center of everything that we do. But for that sentiment to be more than words, we must always act in ways that honor that commitment -- especially when we discover rare instances where those who supervise and guide our students don't meet the standards of integrity we expect of each other. This is one of those times," said UK President Eli Capilouto. "The University of Kentucky has built the nation's premier collegiate cheerleading program. But regrettably, the integrity of the program has been compromised by inappropriate behavior by some squad members on off-campus trips and by lax oversight by the program's coaches and advisor."
The investigation also uncovered potential conflicts of interest for two members of the coaching staff who ran gymnastics businesses that employed members of the cheerleading squad and the advisor, who hired students and coaches to perform work at his home. The Office of Internal Audit is reviewing these and other financial practices of the cheerleading squad.
"The advisor and the coaches failed to stop a culture of hazing, alcohol use and public nudity at off-campus activities where they were present," said Eric N. Monday, UK's executive vice president for finance and administration. "Our students deserve more responsible leadership and the University of Kentucky demands it."
Monday said he has assigned oversight of the cheerleading program to the athletics department to provide more rigorous control and accountability.
Athletics director Mitch Barnhart made the decision to discharge the cheerleading head coach and remove the assistant coaches from any association with the program consistent with the conclusions of multiple reports, including those by the Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity, by the Office of Student Conduct, and a jointly authored report that included input from an expert outside UK with expertise in employment law.
Barnhart has directed Sandy Bell, executive associate athletics director to lead the program, including the hiring of a new coaching staff. A national search will be conducted for a new coach.
"This must be a championship-level program both on and off the court and playing fields," Barnhart said. "And as with all our sports, that will be our goal -- every day."
The three-month process included interviews with more than 60 students, coaches and administrators in the cheerleading program. UK Provost David W. Blackwell said the review found:
Coaches knew or reasonably should have known of inappropriate conduct by cheerleaders and failed to take sufficient steps to address the conduct;
During a team retreat at Lake Cumberland, some cheerleaders performed gymnastics routines that including hurling their teammates from a dock into the water while either topless or bottomless. The routines, known as "basket tosses," were done at the direction of other members of the squad and within the view of at least some of the coaches;
Coaches allowed cheerleading alumni to bring boats and alcohol to the retreat, where some cheerleaders were partially naked and/or drinking while riding on boats;
Coaches did not confiscate alcohol brought to the retreat by some squad members or intervene to stop students from consuming alcohol. Several squad members became so intoxicated they required medical treatment; and
During a cheerleading camp in Tennessee, some cheerleaders were directed by other members of the squad to perform lewd chants and wear outfits that did not include underwear.
The investigation found no evidence of sexual assault or misconduct.
"We place the safety and health of our students above all other priorities as a university," Blackwell said. "We cannot truly have a championship cheerleading program if we do not protect the health, safety and well-being of our students."
As UK Athletics takes control of the program, Bell said inappropriate behavior by the cheerleading squad will not be allowed.
"The annual retreat will be eliminated, and all off-campus trips will be closely supervised," Bell said. "Cheerleading squad members will be held to the same standards as all our student athletes. It's a new day for UK cheerleading."
Athletics officials are meeting today with current members of the current squad to share the news and discuss the timeline for hiring and tryouts.
UK Athletics will immediately begin the national search for a new head coach, who will be part of the selection of assistant coaches and the 2020-21 team members this summer.
Copyright 2020 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
|