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Abuse claims hit Syracuse University basketball coach | Abuse claims hit Syracuse University basketball coach |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A veteran assistant coach for Syracuse University's basketball team has been put on administrative leave amid accusations he molested young boys. | |
Bobby Davis, now 39, told sport network ESPN that Bernie Fine molested him repeatedly for 10 years from 1984. | Bobby Davis, now 39, told sport network ESPN that Bernie Fine molested him repeatedly for 10 years from 1984. |
The university said it investigated and dismissed the allegations in 2005. | The university said it investigated and dismissed the allegations in 2005. |
The allegations come after a former Penn State coach, Jerry Sandusky was arrested on charges of sexually abusing young boys - accusations he denies. | The allegations come after a former Penn State coach, Jerry Sandusky was arrested on charges of sexually abusing young boys - accusations he denies. |
'High standards' | 'High standards' |
Bernie Fine - who has been the assistant basketball coach at Syracuse for 35 years - was accused of abuse by two men, Bobby Davis and his step-brother Mike Lang. | Bernie Fine - who has been the assistant basketball coach at Syracuse for 35 years - was accused of abuse by two men, Bobby Davis and his step-brother Mike Lang. |
Both men said Mr Fine molested them for multiple years, often reaching into their shorts and rubbing their genitals. | Both men said Mr Fine molested them for multiple years, often reaching into their shorts and rubbing their genitals. |
The incidents allegedly occurred both at Mr Fine's home as well as on the road, including at the 1987 Final Four, the US college basketball tournament. | The incidents allegedly occurred both at Mr Fine's home as well as on the road, including at the 1987 Final Four, the US college basketball tournament. |
The university placed Mr Fine on leave when the allegations surfaced on Thursday. | The university placed Mr Fine on leave when the allegations surfaced on Thursday. |
In an email to students on Friday morning, Syracuse Chancellor Nancy Cantor said the allegations would be taken seriously. | In an email to students on Friday morning, Syracuse Chancellor Nancy Cantor said the allegations would be taken seriously. |
"We hold everyone in our community to high standards and we don't tolerate illegal, abusive or unethical behaviour - no matter who you are," she wrote. | "We hold everyone in our community to high standards and we don't tolerate illegal, abusive or unethical behaviour - no matter who you are," she wrote. |
Head coach defiant | Head coach defiant |
However, head basketball coach Jim Boeheim defended Mr Fine, telling ESPN the university had investigated the same allegations in 2005, and concluded they were unfounded. | However, head basketball coach Jim Boeheim defended Mr Fine, telling ESPN the university had investigated the same allegations in 2005, and concluded they were unfounded. |
"I've known Bernie Fine for 45 years, and there's absolutely no way that I believe any of this could possibly have happened," Mr Boeheim said, saying he believed the men were motivated by financial incentives. | "I've known Bernie Fine for 45 years, and there's absolutely no way that I believe any of this could possibly have happened," Mr Boeheim said, saying he believed the men were motivated by financial incentives. |
Mr Davis said he never told the head coach about the alleged abuse, but that Mr Boeheim saw him in Mr Fine's hotel room on road trips. | Mr Davis said he never told the head coach about the alleged abuse, but that Mr Boeheim saw him in Mr Fine's hotel room on road trips. |
In a statement, Syracuse University officials said they investigated the allegations for four months in 2005, after "an adult male" came to them. | In a statement, Syracuse University officials said they investigated the allegations for four months in 2005, after "an adult male" came to them. |
Mr Fine "vehemently denied the allegations" they said, and that "all of those identified by the complainant denied any wrongful conduct". | Mr Fine "vehemently denied the allegations" they said, and that "all of those identified by the complainant denied any wrongful conduct". |
Syracuse police have opened an investigation into the allegations, saying they will interview both Mr Davis and Mr Lang. | Syracuse police have opened an investigation into the allegations, saying they will interview both Mr Davis and Mr Lang. |