Demand Resignation of Baylor Coach Art Briles, Dean Bethany McCraw Re: Sexual Assault Cover-up

  • by: Kristi De Marie
  • recipient: Baylor University, Big 12 Conference, NCAA, Ken Starr

As a graduate of Baylor University, I am deeply ashamed of Baylor's appalling abdication of responsibility to student safety in the case of sexual assault perpetrated by football player Sam Ukwuachu. (Sam Ukwuachu was convicted of felony sexual assault as of August 20, 2015). Baylor's woefully inadequate internal investigation into Ukwuachu's actions, the university's decision to turn a blind eye, the resulting lack of appropriate disciplinary action, and Ukwuachu's continued presence on campus (nearly a year after being indicted for sexual assault and two years following the assault) all point to an administrative attitude that values football success over student safety. To add to this, Sam Ukwuachu transferred to Baylor after being dismissed from Boise State's football team for disciplinary reasons including incidents of violence. It is hard to understand why a private university whose mission statement includes "Christian commitment within a caring community" would unquestioningly welcome a football player who was kicked off another university's football team for inappropriate and violent behavior. The victim of this sexual assault was victimized not only by her attacker, but by Baylor's administrative failure to prioritize student safety. Associate Dean/Judicial Officer Bethany McCraw failed in her duty to thoroughly investigate and fully gather evidence in this case. McCraw determined "that there was not enough evidence to move forward" regarding internal disciplinary action although she later admitted that she never reviewed the nurse's medical report/rape kit (including evidence of vaginal injuries) or Ukwuachu's prior disciplinary records from Boise State. The response from Coach Art Briles and the Athletic Department has been one of casual indifference at best and complacence at worst. As recent as June 3, 2015, public statements were made by Baylor coaching staff that they expected Ukwuachu to join the team for the upcoming season when they knew he was facing trial for sexual assault in the coming months. I find the comment ( August 6, 2015) by Coach Art Briles regarding this case --“I like the way we’ve handled it as a university, an athletic department, and a football program.” -- absolutely morally repugnant. In the Alumni updates I receive from Baylor, there are many references to Baylor's deep Christian values and education in the context of a caring Christian community. If Baylor intends to live up to these values, the dismissal/ resignation of Art Briles, Bethany McCraw, and others directly responsible is the minimum act of restitution acceptable to restore a sense of dignity and safety to Baylor's campus.

Please join me in calling for the resignation of Art Briles, Football Coach, Bethany J. McCraw, Associate Dean for Student Conduct, and others directly responsible.......... --From a Deeply Disappointed Member of the Baylor Alumni

(Facts stated here may be verified by multiple reputable news outlets)

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