Durham, N.C. – A Duke University committee recommended Monday the school’s lacrosse team resume play next season, but said the team needed strict monitoring because of a history of problems tied to alcohol.
“Although the pattern of misconduct in recent years by the lacrosse team is alarming, the evidence reviewed … does not warrant suspension of the sport,” a committee of seven faculty members wrote in a report.
Duke canceled the highly ranked lacrosse team from play last month, following allegations that a black woman was raped and beaten by three white men at a team party where she had been hired to strip.
A grand jury has indicted two players on charges of rape, kidnapping and sexual assault, and District Attorney Mike Nifong has said he hopes to charge a third person.
The report released Monday night did not consider the rape allegations, but instead focused on the behavior of the team during the past five years. It found that while the team performed well academically and athletically, “a large number of the members of the team have been socially irresponsible when under the influence of alcohol.”
“We looked closely but found no compelling evidence to support claims that these players are racist or have a record of sexual violence,” said Duke law professor James E. Coleman Jr., who led the committee.
The rape allegations led Duke to accept the resignation of coach Mike Pressler and begin several internal investigations.
The players charged – sophomores Reade Seligmann and Collin Finnerty – are scheduled to appear in court May 15.
