Duke suspended its men’s lacrosse team from play indefinitely yesterday amidst serious allegations, including sexual assault, during a March 13 party at a house next to Duke’s East Campus.
Duke President Richard H. Brodhead announced at a press conference last night that the team, which had forfeited its past two games because of the situation, would not play again until there was clear resolution of the situation.
While no charges have been filed, a dancer who was hired for a party at the Durham, N.C., house said last week she was pulled into a bathroom and sexually assaulted by three men and beaten, according to court documents and the (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer. The paper also reported neighbors’ accounts that there were racial slurs directed toward the woman by the men involved.
Durham police required 46 of 47 players to submit DNA samples Thursday. The team’s only black player did not have to submit a sample because the victim said only white men were present.
“This afternoon the captains of the Duke lacrosse team notified [Athletic Director Joe] Alleva and me that the team wished to suspend competitive play until the DNA results come back,” Brodhead said.
A search warrant for the house included the details of the incident was released last week and police said they believed a rape did occur.
Blue Devil players have admitted there was underage drinking and they hired private dancers, but a statement from the team’s captains “unequivocally” denied the rape allegations.
Duke’s forfeits to Georgetown Saturday and Mount St. Mary’s yesterday will be treated as “no-contest” games by the NCAA, InsideLacrosse.com reported yesterday, meaning the games will not be credited to Duke’s or their opponents’ records. Duke dropped from No. 2 to No. 9 in this week’s USILA/STX Coach’s Poll.
After learning of the original forfeitures, Terp coach Dave Cottle said Saturday he didn’t know how it would affect the ACC or NCAA landscape.
“I don’t wish what they’re going through on my worst enemy,” Cottle said. “What would the ACC Tournament do? I don’t know.”
The Blue Devils, who are officially 6-2 and 1-1 in the ACC, don’t play another conference game until April 15, when they are scheduled to visit No. 1 Virginia.
The Terps defeated Duke 8-7 March 4 and would clinch the top seed in the ACC tournament with a win over Virginia. Senior Bill McGlone said knowing that’s at stake helps, but added there’s uncertainty. If there is no resolution and Duke does not resume play before April 28, it would leave only three teams for the tournament.
Contact reporter Stephen Whyno at whynodbk@gmail.com.
