At this pace, it could be a long winter for the University of Minnesota.
Earlier this month, the local media in that state uncovered a July 16 email between Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) Director Kimberly Hewitt and former athletic director Norwood Teague, which revealed that there had been several sexual misconduct allegations made against members of the University of Minnesota football team, reportedly over the last 12 months.
At the time, the revelation was categorized by Hewitt as a “concerning pattern of football player conduct.”
Specifically, Hewitt wrote that “the notable number of Title IX-related concerns we have received involving football players, and the fact that three of the complaints involved groups of football players, demonstrates a concerning pattern of football player conduct that we believe requires responsive action.”
Interim Athletic Director Beth Goetz said Hewitt did her job. She “proactively contacted the Athletics Department to initiate discussions on whether reports of sexual assault and harassment constituted a broader pattern. All of these reports were fully investigated to the extent that they could be and the EOAA did not substantiate any sexual assault allegations. The EOAA office substantiated one allegation of sexual harassment.”
ADs Departure over the Summer Was Also Tied to Sexual Harassment
But what was troubling was that the email exchange occurred right around the time that then-AD Teague sexually harassed two female University of Minnesota employees during a senior leadership retreat. Teague repeatedly sent explicit text messages to one woman, where he suggested they engage in sexual acts. The texts continued, according to reports. She also alleged that Teague pinched her waist and buttocks, repeatedly. Another woman also complained of Teague’s behavior. Those incidents led to Teague’s resignation on August 7.
University President Eric Kaler, in a statement, said Teague’s resignation “is the appropriate response. Our senior leaders, in particular, must behave at the highest standards and set a positive example for our students and University community.”
While Teague resigned on his own, Kaler said at a press conference that the school would have investigated the allegations if Teague hadn’t stepped down.
As if things were not bad enough, media reports surfaced in early September that University of Minnesota Associate Athletic Director Mike Ellis was also being investigated for possible sexual harassment and discrimination issues after five anonymous complaints were lodged against him. Teague hired Ellis in 2012.
