University of Minnesota Athletics Director Mark Coyle has suspended center Reggie Lynch from competition. The decision was made after the University’s EOAA (Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action) office reportedly found he was responsible for alleged sexual misconduct.
Coyle spoke with the media Friday and would not detail the length of the suspension, but said Lynch cannot participate in athletic competition. He noted Lynch is still a member of the team.
“Reggie Lynch will not being playing tomorrow — he is suspended,” Coyle said.
Coyle cited student privacy laws on numerous occasions, expressing confidence in the University’s process regarding assault allegations.
“People should trust the procedures that we have in place,” he said “We have procedures that have been reviewed by outside agencies. That includes providing due process for everyone involved.”
Head coach Richard Pitino said his attention will shift to preparing the team for Saturday afternoon’s game against Indiana. Pitino was unable to comment specifically on Lynch’s situation, but said he is confident in the process.
“We do our best to educate and we’ll continue to do that,” Pitino said.
Lynch, an Illinois State transfer Minnesota added in 2015, is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He was averaging 10.1 points, 8 rebounds and 4.1 blocked shots per game. Pitino said he never noticed any red flags when the team recruited the Edina, Minn. product.
“We do a lot of background and we never saw any red flags leading up to this,” he said.
According to the Pioneer Press, Lynch is facing a suspension and campus ban until August of 2020, following the recommendation from the EOAA. They began investigating Lynch last fall after a woman presented a complaint that Lynch assaulted her in a dorm room. This is the second allegation Lynch has faced in less than a year. Last May, Lynch was arrested on suspicion of rape, but was released and not charged. He eventually cleared the EOAA investigation. The University is now investigating the new incident, which occurred in April 2016, per the report.
Lynch can appeal the decision through the Student Sexual Misconduct Subcommittee (SSMS), per University policy. If Lynch indeed appeals, the policy says the officer who reviews the case will “strive to render a decision within 30 calendar days.”