Minnesota Star Reggie Lynch Faces Suspension, Ban From Campus After Sexual Assault Allegation
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 24: The Minnesota Golden Gophers mascot reacts in the second half against the Florida Gators during the third round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at The Frank Erwin Center on March 24, 2013 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Minnesota star and reigning Big Ten defensive player of the year Reggie Lynch faces suspension and a two-year ban from the school.
Reggie Lynch has been under investigation since the fall after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her in his dorm room back in 2016.
He can appeal the suspension, but if it goes forward, it will effectively end his college basketball career. Lynch is in his final year of eligibility after spending his first two seasons at Illinois State.
From the Star Tribune:
University of Minnesota men’s basketball star Reggie Lynch faces suspension and a complete ban from campus until at least 2020 after a school investigation found him responsible in a sexual misconduct incident.
The school’s Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) office began investigating Lynch last fall after a woman filed a complaint saying that he assaulted her in his dorm room in Roy Wilkins Hall on April 28, 2016. The U told both Lynch and his accuser that Lynch’s suspension will begin Tuesday unless he appeals, according to records obtained by the Star Tribune.
This isn't the first allegation of sexual assault against Lynch, either. He was accused, and cleared, of assault stemming from an alleged incident just weeks after the one that he now faces suspension for.
In May 2016, Lynch was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman at a campus apartment. The Hennepin County attorney declined to press charges, citing insufficient evidence. He was suspended from the team at that time.
The university also investigated the May 2016 incident and cleared him in that case.
Abby Honold, a Minnesota alumna and local advocate for sexual assault victims, says that she personally made the university aware of the multiple accusations surrounding Lynch long before this new suspension.
Minnesota is set to play again on Saturday, when it hosts Indiana.
