By Jack Carey
Usa Today
November 18, 2011
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2011/11/syracuse-basketball-assistant-bernie-fine-accused-abuse/1
A former ball boy for the Syracuse basketball team has made allegations that he was sexually abused by longtime Orange assistant coach Bernie Fine for a period of more than 12 years, starting in 1983.
 |
Fine was placed on administrative leave by the university Thursday night and is the subject of a Syracuse City police investigation in the matter.
No charges have been filed. Barry Weiss, a spokesman for Onondaga County D.A. office, said, "We're not making any comments until the police turn the case over to us." He said there was no timetable for the police to do so, if they do at all.
The allegations were first reported on ESPN's Outside the Lines where the alleged victim, Bobby Davis, now 39, said Fine molested him beginning in 1983, shortly before Davis entered seventh grade. Davis, the team's ball boy for six years beginning in 1984, said the abuse occurred at Fine's home, at Syracuse basketball facilities and on road trips, including the 1987 Final Four in New Orleans.
In addition, a second man, a relative of Davis -- identified by ESPN as Mike Lang, 45, Davis' stepbrother -- told Outside the Lines he was molested by Fine around the same time as Davis.
Fine is in his 35th season as an assistant to head coach Jim Boeheim.
School chancellor Nancy Cantor sent out a letter Friday in reaction to the allegations. Here is a portion of what she wrote:
"Let me be clear. We know that many question whether or not a university in today's world can shine a harsh light on its athletics programs. We are aware that many wonder if university administrations are willing to turn a blind eye to wrongdoing that may disrupt a successful sports program. I can assure you I am not, and my fellow administrators are not. We hold everyone in our community to high standards and we don't tolerate illegal, abusive or unethical behavior —no matter who you are."
Davis said he never told Boeheim about the alleged abuse.
"We are in the early stages of an investigation," Syracuse Police Sgt. Tom Connellan told the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle on Thursday. "That's really all we can say at this point."
The school said in a statement released Thursday night that allegations were first brought to its attention six years ago, and the school launched an investigation through its legal counsel.
"That nearly four-month long investigation included a number of interviews with people the complainant said would support his claims," the statement said. "All of those identified by the complainant denied any knowledge of wrongful conduct by the associate coach. The associate coach also vehemently denied the allegations.
"We understand that the Syracuse City Police has now reopened the case, and Syracuse University will cooperate fully. We are steadfastly committed to ensuring that SU remains a safe place for every member of our campus community."
Boeheim released a statement late Thursday night, supporting his longtime assistant.
"This matter was fully investigated by the university in 2005, and it was determined that the allegations were unfounded. I have known Bernie Fine for more than 40 years. I have never seen or witnessed anything to suggest that he would have been involved in any of the activities alleged. Had I seen or suspected anything, I would have taken action. Bernie has my full support."
Boeheim later told ESPN: "It is a bunch of a thousand lies that (Davis) has told. You don't think it is a little funny that his (relative) is coming forward? (Davis) supplied four names to the university that would corroborate his story. None of them did. ... There is only one side to this story. He is lying."
The Syracuse (N.Y.) Post-Standard said Davis' allegations were first brought to its attention in 2002, but no story was published because the paper could not find a second source to confirm Davis' account.
Boeheim told the Post-Standard, "This is alleged to have occurred ... what? Twenty years ago? Am I in the right neighborhood? It might be 26 years ago? So, we are supposed to what? Stop the presses 26 years later? For a false allegation? For what I absolutely believe is a false allegation? I know he's lying about me seeing him in his hotel room. That's a lie. If he's going to tell one lie, I'm sure there's a few more of them."
The Associated Press said a reporter was told Fine was not home Thursday.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.