University of Colorado leaders expressed disappointment Tuesday in the arrest of a former football player accused of sex assault, especially given sweeping athletic-department reforms following 2001 rape allegations that prompted a Title IX lawsuit.
Former CU linebacker Michael Sipili surrendered to Boulder police Tuesday on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 22-year-old woman at an off-campus apartment in December.
Within hours of the 10:30 a.m. arrest, CU athletic director Mike Bohn and dean of students Deb Coffin held a news conference highlighting the strides CU has made since the 2001 case, which spurred a national scandal and cost several university leaders their jobs.
Campus spokesman Bronson Hilliard said the school has “absorbed and embraced the lessons” from the scandal.
“For us, the issue right now is not worrying about litigation,” he said.
