Duke denies reports
Men's lacrosse still suspended
Published: Sat, Jun. 03, 2006 12:00AM
Modified Sat, Jun. 03, 2006 03:10AM
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closeWith Duke men's lacrosse players and their families still waiting to hear whether the team will play next season, the university denied reports Friday that it has decided to resume the suspended program.
The one-sentence statement released by John Burness, Duke senior vice president for public affairs and government relations, contradicted reports that the university planned to announce the reinstatement of the lacrosse program next week.
"Media reports to the contrary, President [Richard] Brodhead has not yet made a decision on the future of men's lacrosse at Duke," Burness said in the statement.
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James E. Coleman Jr., the Duke law school professor who served as chairman of a university committee that investigated the past behavior of Blue Devils lacrosse players, was out of town and could not be reached for comment. Coleman's committee recommended continuing the men's lacrosse program with stronger university oversight.
The Long Island, N.Y., newspaper Newsday, citing an unnamed source, reported Friday that Duke would name assistant coach Kevin Cassese as the interim head coach during the university's national search for a permanent replacement.
Former head coach Mike Pressler, who could not be reached for comment Friday, resigned on April 5. That same day, Duke announced the cancellation of the men's lacrosse season as a criminal investigation continued into the alleged rape of an exotic dancer hired to perform at a team party at an off-campus house.
Three members of this year's team have been charged in the investigation.
Cassese, 25, a former Duke All-America who plays professionally for Major League Lacrosse's Rochester Rattlers, could not be reached for comment. Craig Rybczynski, the Rattlers' director of communications, said that Cassese was scheduled to play the remainder of the Rattlers' schedule.
The fathers of rising junior defenseman Jay Jennison and rising sophomore goalie Devon Sherwood said they had not heard anything either way from Duke on the future of the program.
Staff writer Lorenzo Perez can be reached at 829-4643 or lperez@newsobserver.com.
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