Men’s Lacrosse
The Duke athletic department canceled last Saturday’s game against Georgetown because of allegations of inappropriate conduct by team members at a March 13 party.
The then-No. 2 Blue Devils forfeited the win to the No. 5 Georgetown team after the Hoyas had already traveled to Durham, N.C.
Duke University Director of Athletics Joe Alleva announced the forfeit in a press release.
“I am dismayed by the party on March 13 held by members of the men’s lacrosse team at an off-campus residence,” he said. “The Durham Police’s investigation of the matter continues and we await its results.”
The criminal allegations alluded to by Alleva were first reported on Mar. 24 by The Raleigh News & Observer. According to its report, police believe that at least three members of the Duke team may have been responsible for the sexual assault, beating, robbery and near strangulation of two women hired to dance at a team party in an off-campus home owned by three of the four team captains. The paper also reported that 46 members of the Duke lacrosse team were DNA tested in connection with the allegations.
Alleva clarified in the press release that the players deny any criminal wrongdoing, and that no one has been charged, but made it very clear that the university and its athletic department were keeping a very close eye on the investigation.
According to the release, the team did admit to hiring the dancers and permitting underage drinking, giving the AD reason enough to forgo the next two contests.
“The judgment of the team members to host and participate in this event is inconsistent with the values of Duke Athletics and Duke University and is unacceptable,” Alleva said. “Accordingly I have notified [Head] Coach [Mike] Pressler that I have decided that we will forfeit today’s game [against Georgetown] and next Tuesday’s game.”
The Hoyas moved to 5-1 with the forfeit victory and will return to the field today against Mount St. Mary’s.
– Bailey Heaps