In another statement, LSU interim president Tom Galligan wrote that the university "takes every report of sexual assault or violence seriously" and noted that the school investigates each and tries to support those affected. The former player, Jade Lewis, 21, of Hilton Head, South Carolina, posted a statement on Twitter on Wednesday night in which she accused LSU women's tennis co-head coach Julia Sell of failing to report her allegations of being physically abused by Tigers wide receiver Drake Davis. Galligan also urged any victims of abuse who either didn't report it or did and believe the complaints weren't handled correctly to contact the university's Title IX office. "A single instance of abuse or sexual violence is one too many.". LSU Tigers wide receiver Drake Davis admitted punching a tennis player. LSU football coach Ed Orgeron read a statement earlier this week that said: "First, I want to say that we need to support and protect victims of violence and sexual abuse of any kind. There's no place in our society nor on this campus or on our football program for any behavior of this type. An attorney for Lewis told The Advocate on Tuesday that the allegations against Lewis had so many holes in them that LSUs Department of Human Resources took no action against her, despite the LSU Title IX office finding that she had violated LSUs sexual misconduct policy by failing to report an allegation of abuse. "First, I want to say that we need to support and protect victims of violence and sexual abuse of any kind," Orgeron said. WR Allen faces concealed weapon charge, USF RB facing charge for felony domestic battery, Deion 'ashamed' after only 1 HBCU player drafted, Spartans QB Thorne, WR Coleman enter portal, Philly Dawgs: Eagles add Ringo to UGA draft haul, Biden salutes Air Force for fall success over rivals, New Big Ten boss Petitti ready to lead 'new era', College football Future Power Rankings: Defenses, Ranking college football's 10 best running backs for 2023. Orgeron was later promoted to full-time head coach, and he led the team to a national championship last season. Lewis father and one of her teammates told USA TODAY that they had informed Sell and her husband, co-coach Mike Sell, about the abuse at least six months before the Sells told police they learned about it. The newspaper reported that at least seven LSU officials "had direct knowledge" that Davis was physically abusing his girlfriend but "sat on the information for months, while Davis continued to assault and strangle her.". Davis enrolled at Southern University in October 2019. "I have not seen the police reports and do not know the identity of the witnesses to whom you refer," Bernhard wrote in an email. Edwards made the remarks in response to a question about the USA TODAY investigation during his weekly COVID-19 press conference. "I felt obligated to defend my coach bc we had team meetings about nearly every incident," Von Rosenberg tweeted. The abuse started in 2017, not too long after they started dating. Former LSU tennis player Jade Lewis refuted a statement made by co-head tennis coach Julia Sell regarding the coach's response to dating violence committed by Tigers football player Drake Davis. dvelopper et amliorer nos produits et services. He also promised to consult STAR, which provides sexual assault support resources in Louisiana. There was a problem saving your notification. The student told USA Today that she received one voicemail from Segar. The woman's father said he also reported it to Mike Sell and spoke to him twice in the summer of 2017 about his daughter's relationship with Davis. The judge placed Davis on two years' probation and ordered him to undergo mandatory counseling. A former LSU women's tennis player says her former coach lied about her knowledge of a Tigers football player physically abusing her between May 2017 and August 2018 and accused the coach of "betraying" her during an investigation. "Notwithstanding what the police reports indicate thesewitnessesmay have said, I did not discourage Jade Lewis from reporting nor threaten retaliation against anyone. The newspaper reported that the two coaches and athletic trainer later told police that they weren't aware of Davis' conduct until a year later. Louisianas governor called on LSU to do a prompt, thorough and transparent investigation following a USA TODAY report that found systemic mishandling of sexual misconduct and dating violence complaints by the school. The witness showed deputies video of the alleged . Davis was among the athletes named:"At least seven LSU officials had direct knowledge that [Davis] was physically abusing his girlfriend, a different LSU women's tennis player, but they sat on the information for months, while Davis continued to assault and strangle her.". Once entering the victim's room he strangled her, punched her in the stomach, and grabbed her ear which caused her earring to be pulled from her ear; bleeding from the ear ensued." Two years later, the woman filed a complaint with the LSU Title IX office and investigators probed how Sharon Lewis had handled the 2016 incident. LSU has hired independent law firm Husch Blackwell to review the university's Title IX policies and procedures. Privacy Policy Thats what Im calling upon LSU to do.. You can also contact the reporters directly,narmour@usatoday.comfor Nancy Armour orkjacoby@gatehousemedia.comfor Kenny Jacoby. In August of last year, Davis was arrested for allegedly beating his ex-girlfriend. "Notwithstanding what the police reports indicate these, may have said, I did not discourage Jade Lewis from reporting nor threaten retaliation against anyone. Lastly, I would like to add that during the criminal case regarding the allegations I made, Coach Sell instructed the tennis team to stay away from me. He enrolled at Southern that October. A woman told the LSU Police Department of "four incidents of physical abuse by Davis between May 2017 and June 2018.". Lewis reportedly told police and USA Today that Davis left her bruised or bleeding on at least six occasions during the year in which they dated. The report details assault allegations made against former wide receiver Drake Davis by an LSU tennis player, including the allegation that the victim's tennis coach, Mike Sell, was informed that . All rights reserved. You have permission to edit this article. Police documents refer to Bernhard as a "legal guardian" and "dad" to Davis, although there is no official documentation of adoption. Davis was ordered not to have contact with the victim. Four members of the LSU Tennis Team separately made Coach Sell aware of these events between May 2017 and August 2018. Who won the spring transfer cycle? Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports In a fourth case, LSU deferred the suspension of a man who stalked and sexually. These women would be willing to confirm this information and corroborate my story, as one already has in the USA Today article. I have in the past and will continue to take appropriate action and comply with reporting protocols. The article said the woman told athletic trainer Donavon White that Davis had "punched her in the stomach" during an argument in May 2017. The former player, Jade Lewis, 21, of Hilton Head, South Carolina, posted a statement on Twitter on Wednesday night in which she accused LSU women's tennis co-head coach Julia Sell of failing to report her allegations of being physically abused by Tigers wide receiver Drake Davis. As the victim exited the vehicle Davis attempted to abandon her. The Davis case so far has largely focused on allegations that he physically assaulted former LSU tennis player Jade Lewis between 2017 and 2018; he later pleaded guilty to battery and. USA Today reported that the student later lost her job and said she tried to move on, but that she felt responsible in 2018 when news came out about Davis abusing Jade Lewis. If you have atipor sensitive information you want to share, reach out to USA TODAYSportsatSportsTip@usatoday.com. When accusations are made, we have a legal and moral obligation to report every allegation to the university's Title IX office so due process can be implemented. PERSONALParents are Stephanie Davis and Lester Earl Born Dec. 14, 1996 Majoring in interdisciplinary studies Father, Lester, and uncle, Louis Earl, both played basketball at LSU. One football player said Lewis was warned directly by Bernhard to not come forward, and that she "won't have a case," the report read. Finley called for LSU to release the full files related to the Title IX case to the public, saying that the report from Scott was only a small piece of a much more complicated investigation. I have confidence today that the university is working to address our policies and processes when allegations arise.". The warrant indicated that police obtained the text and photos of bruising. USA Today reported that Lewis told a team athletic trainer, Donavon White, that Davis punched her in the stomach in May 2017 during an argument. "I felt obligated to defend my coach bc we had team meetings about nearly every incident," Von Rosenberg tweeted. A USA Today report on Monday alleges that several LSU officials had knowledge of sexual assault allegations made against former running back Derrius Guice and other former football players and either ignored those complaints or denied the victims' requests for protection. The former LSU wide receiver has a history of domestic violence. College softball rankings: The top 25 teams in the NCAA this week, Quinnipiac stuns Minnesota to win first national title. I have in the past and will continue to take appropriate action and comply with reporting protocols. Fact. I have confidence today that the university is working to address our policies and processes when allegations arise.". DRAKE DAVISS CAREER HIGHSPoints scored: 6, Two times (Last: Syracuse, Sep 23, 2017; First: Chattanooga, Sep 9, 2017)Touchdowns: 1, Two times (Last: Syracuse, Sep 23, 2017; First: Chattanooga, Sep 9, 2017)Receptions: 2 vs. Syracuse, Sep 23, 2017Receiving yards: 98 vs. Syracuse, Sep 23, 2017 (2 receptions)Receiving TDs: 1, Two times (Last: Syracuse, Sep 23, 2017; First: Chattanooga, Sep 9, 2017)Long reception: 87 vs. Syracuse, Sep 23, 2017, DRAKE DAVISS CAREER KICK RETURN HIGHSKick returns: 1 vs. Jacksonville St., Sep 10, 2016Kick return yards: 4 vs. Jacksonville St., Sep 10, 2016Long kick return: 4 vs. Jacksonville St., Sep 10, 2017, LSU Athletics, Louisiana State University, 2023. The newspaper reported that at least seven LSU officials "had direct knowledge" that Davis was physically abusing his girlfriend but "sat on the information for months, while Davis continued to assault and strangle her.". In a video posted to Facebook, Stephanie says her son and girlfriend were horse-playing around.. Davis then drove back and the victim reentered the vehicle. Gov. "As details of the sexual misconduct within LSU continue to come to light, my hope is that LSU Athletics changes course and decides to be transparent and remorseful rather than continuing to create cover-ups and false narratives. Lewis said LSU women's tennis co-head. Published Monday, it found that officials in Louisiana State University'sathletic department and broader administration repeatedly ignored complaints against abusers, denied victims requests for protections and subjected them to further harm by known perpetrators. The investigation is expected to be completed in early spring and made available to the public, the school said. Nous, Yahoo, faisons partie de la famille de marques Yahoo. mesurer votre utilisation de nos sites et applications. He entered using a key the victim had given him. of abuse and sexual assault cases at the University. Two years ago, the NCAA, SEC and LSUs president and top legal counsel were all warned that LSUs athletics department had potentially run afo. Madeline Coleman Nov 19, 2020 Jade Lewis, a former LSU women's tennis player, came forward publicly for the first time and spoke about how the school handled multiple reports of her being. USA Today reported that it found no evidence that White, Mike Sell or Julia Sell informed anyone of Davis' alleged abuse, including the university's Title IX coordinator, which is required under federal law and LSU policy. USA Today reports that at least nine football players, including Guice and Davis, have been reported to police for sexual misconduct and dating violence since Ed Orgeron was promoted to interim head coach in 2016. According to WBRZ, Davis was arrested at about 3:30 a.m. after a witness claimed an argument between Davis and his girlfriend turned physical. USA Today reported that was a frequent, but problematic approach within the LSU Athletic Department former Athletic Director Joe Alleva routinely instructed employees to report sexual harassment and Title IX violations in-house to Segar, rather than to LSU's Title IX office. ESPN reported in August 2018 that the woman reported to LSU police four violent incidents involving Davis during the previous 18 months. It has now surfaced. College softball expert roundtable: Who has the most to prove and who can stop Oklahoma? Report: 2 women say Guice raped them at LSU, Orgeron disputes portrayal of talk with ex-player. She was scrutinized in a 2018 Title IX report regarding a students 2016 allegations about violence from Drake Davis that also included interviews with executive deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry, according to USA Today. The Davis case so far has largely focused on allegations that he physically assaulted former LSU tennis player Jade Lewis between 2017 and 2018; he later pleaded guilty to battery and violating a protective order in her case. LSU indefinitely suspended him from the team, and a judge ordered him to have no contact with the woman. The others I don't know all the details, but what I do know is my coach would do the right thing. The article also details how "at least seven LSU officials" knew that football player Drake Davis was physically abusing his girlfriend at the time, an LSU tennis player. But what that article can do is excite you and make sure you do the investigation. The tennis player, Jade Lewis, publicly came forward last year and addressed how the school handled multiple reports of her being abused by Davis. Davis was arrested in August 2018 due to his abuse of Lewis. Alexandra Reyes thought she had an airtight case of sexual misconduct for LSU to investigate. All victims must be heard and supported, and we pledge to stand with them to help end all forms of sexual and domestic abuse.". College baseball roundtable: Takeaways, most impressive teams, players and what to expect going forward, College baseball rankings: 2023 Top 25 poll, Ohio halts betting on Alabama baseball games, College baseball player hit by stray bullet at game, 2023 NCAA gymnastics championships: Oklahoma repeats and Trinity Thomas ties record. One victim says she. "However, we are not perfect, and we can, and will, do better," he wrote. Four members of the LSU Tennis Team separately made Coach Sell aware of these events between May 2017 and August 2018. But those officials sat on the information for months while Davis continued to assault and strangle her. Want to share an anonymous news tip? In an earlier statement posted on Twitter on Wednesday, Sell denied that she or her husband, co-head coach Michael Sell, had knowledge of Davis' alleged abuse. She was unsure whether Segar took further action. "After that, we knew (our daughter) would be beaten up, and we knew LSU would cover it up. I have in the past and will continue to take appropriate action and comply with reporting protocols. The warrant indicated that police obtained the text and photos of bruising. Additionally, my parents called during that time span to express their concern, and my coaches brushed them off. You have permission to edit this article. "First, I want to say that we need to support and protect victims of violence and sexual abuse of any kind," Orgeron said. According to a redacted LSU Police Department arrest report obtained by ESPN, a woman reported four incidents of physical abuse by Davis between May 2017 and June 2018. The student told Title IX investigators that when she dated Davis in 2016, he pushed her and nearly hit her at JL's in Tigerland before a few teammates stopped him, according to the Title IX report that USA Today received. According to the father, Mike Sell responded, "Couldn't be possible, wouldn't be possible.". USA Today reported Monday that Davis began dating Lewis, who was unnamed in the article, in January 2017. Police arrested Davis in August 2018 on felony charges of second-degree battery against a former girlfriend. Fact. John Bel Edwards said Thursday that he was not prepared to recommend anyone lose his or her job. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Kenny Jacoby, Nancy Armour and Jessica Luther. USA TODAY also found three cases in which, rather than expelling or suspending male students found responsible for sexual assault, LSU allowed them to stay on campus. The others I don't know all the details, but what I do know is my coach would do the right thing. When an LSU football player admitted to hitting his girlfriend in a text he sent to executive deputy director of athletics Verge Ausberry, both university and federal policies required that Ausberry act on that information and report it to others.But after Ausberry called him, the wide receiver retracted his confession, and Ausberry didn't pursue the matter further. I have in the past and will continue to take appropriate action and comply with reporting protocols. "The statement is a blatant lie. The father said Mike Sell responded that the allegation "couldn't be possible, wouldn't be possible.". Report: LSU ignored sexual assault complaints, College football reporters' NFL draft takeaways, What's going on at Colorado? Finley said Lewis reached out to the student in 2016 after hearing that the student threw a drink onto Davis while they were in Tigerland. USA Today reported that LSU women's tennis coach Mike Sell was informed that Davis punched one of . On July 28 at around 3:33 a.m., a deputy with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office responded to a call about a domestic disturbance. But he said he was deeply troubled by the USA TODAY investigation. Arrest reports say a witness showed the deputy of a video of Davis, 22, and a woman arguing. Davis faces a second-degree battery charge that stems from an . Davis pleaded guilty in March 2019 to criminal charges stemming from multiple assaults of Lewis. The report also cites three cases in which football players were found responsible for sexual assault and were allowed to stay on campus, receiving deferred suspensions, which amounts to probation. The Advocate has requested the records from LSU, but has not received them. Reading from a prepared statement at the beginning of his weekly news conference on Monday afternoon, Orgeron said that he wanted to address the USA Today article. We ranked college football's top 37 spring transfers: Who tops the list? Furthermore, we would never dismiss or doubt any such allegations. 1 NFL draft picks were like as college football recruits: Only how many five-stars?! You have come to the ESPN Africa edition, for other ESPN editions, click above. USA Today reported that Lewis told a team athletic trainer, Donavon White, that Davis punched her in the stomach in May 2017 during an argument. Her father also spoke with Mike Sell, the co-tennis head coach with wife Julia. Advocate file photo -- LSU's Tiger Stadium. One of the most athletic players perhaps to ever wear an LSU football uniform Could have gone to college on football, basketball or soccer scholarship Poised for a breakout season in 2018 What should we know about LSU's handling of sexual misconduct cases? "There is sufficient evidence to prove that Respondent Sharon Lewis violated LSU's [Title IX policy prohibiting sexual misconduct] in that as a Responsible Person she failed to report a potential violation of LSU's Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Policy," reads the report from LSU's Title IX investigator Jeffrey Scott. When accusations are made, we have a legal and moral obligation to report every allegation to the university's Title IX office so due process can be implemented. In several reports regarding Davis' abuse of Lewis, who spoke out publicly for the first time over social media on Wednesday, witnesses mentioned being intimidated by Bernhard because of his personal relationship with Davis and his standing in Louisiana politics, the Advocate reported. "Putting an end to sexual assault is an institutional priority, and we are constantly working to achieve that goal.". The former LSU wide receiver has a history of domestic violence. Upon her reentry into the vehicle Davis strangled the victim.". Current LSU punter Zach Von Rosenberg took to Twitter to defend his coach earlier in the day in a tweet that has since been deleted. Quite frankly, theres no way you can get to the bottom of that by reading that article, he continued. In the first incident, the woman went to Davis' house to retrieve personal items and he allegedly punched her in the stomach. 110 percent she knew. The university disciplined two of them, and one former wide receiver Drake Davis was not expelled until four months after he was convicted of physically abusing his former girlfriend. When accusations are made, we have a legal and moral obligation to report every allegation to the university's Title IX office so due process can be implemented. / We are also consulting with the Baton Rouge Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR) Center as we work to do better in the future.. / According to a redacted LSU Police Department arrest report obtained by ESPN, a woman reported four incidents of physical abuse by Davis between May 2017 and June 2018. USA Today reportedthere are no records to indicate White or the Sells took the allegations to appropriate officials at LSU. LSU sophomore wide receiver Drake Davis (14) runs to position during the Tigers' 45-21 lead against Texas A&M on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, in Tiger Stadium. LSU has hired independent law firm Husch Blackwell to review the university's Title IX policies and procedures. The report states that LSU "sat on the information for months, while Davis continued to assault and strangle her.". Sell made the claim earlier in the day in a private social media post obtained by USA TODAY. He declined to answer questions about the article. LSU punter Zach Von Rosenberg took to Twitter to defend his coach earlier in the day in a tweet that has since been deleted. There's no place in our society nor on this campus or on our football program for any behavior of this type. All victims must be heard and supported, and we pledge to stand with them to help end all forms of sexual and domestic abuse.". As LSU faces continuing deeper scrutiny into how the university has handled complaints of sexual harassment and violence on campus, multiple current employees have been implicated in the controversies over failures to report sexual harassment and dating violence when they learned of it. In the third undated incident, according to the report, "Davis was upset with the victim for waving at a friend. When is too early to draft a starting pitcher? / Finley said that Scotts report did not lead to consequences for Sharon Lewis because LSUs HR department did not find it credible. She provided police with a photograph of the bruise, according to the report. Another former LSU tennis player told USA Today that she personally reported Davis' abuse to Julia Sell "six to seven months before that, at least. "However, we are not perfect, and we can, and will, do better," Galligan wrote. Segar told Title IX that they "played phone tag.". As the victim exited the vehicle Davis attempted to abandon her. Additionally, my parents called during that time span to express their concern, and my coaches brushed them off. In 2018, Davis was arrested on second-degree battery charges and was indefinitely suspended by the team. He pleaded guilty in district. Sarah Phipps-USA TODAY Sports. We have in the past and will continue to take appropriate action and comply with all reporting protocols. LSU indefinitely suspended him from the team, and a judge ordered him to have no contact with the woman. At least seven LSU officials had direct knowledge Davis was abusing his girlfriend, an LSU women's tennis player, USA TODAY found. ", After that, we knew (our daughter) would be beaten up, and we knew LSU would cover it up. A judge sentenced him to 18 months of prison and credited him for time served and suspended most of the remaining jail time. "A single instance of abuse or sexual violence is one too many.". The victim provided pictures of bruising around her neck from the strangulation, according to police. She told police that a "medical officer at LSU" evaluated her injury. Furthermore, we would never dismiss or doubt any such allegations. As a new report shines light on LSU's failures to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct and Title IX violations, The Advocate | Times-P. According to . These women would be willing to confirm this information and corroborate my story, as one already has in the USA Today article. She also said that Lewis has not yet been made part of the investigation from Husch Blackwell, the law firm that LSU has engaged to investigate previous missteps in Title IX cases. A judge sentenced him to 18 months of prison and credited him for time served and suspended most of the remaining jail time. We have to take this very seriously, Edwards said. He admitted in court to punching the woman in the stomach and later pushing her onto a couch, which bruised and cut her leg. "A recent story by USA Today suggests that Mike and I failed to report allegations of dating violence disclosed to us by a parent and former player," Julia Sell wrote. The Memorial Tower sits on Dalrymple Drive on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017. Copyright 2019 WAFB. LSU officials investigated in 2018 whether employees of the Athletic Department had properly handled a student's earlier complaint that a football player had physically abused her, and the investigation found serious failures to report, according to a new report from USA Today. Davis drove the victim to an area on Perkins road and threw her phone out the window. "A recent story by USA Today suggests that Mike and I failed to report allegations of dating violence disclosed to us by a parent and former player," Julia Sell wrote. Alleva did not return messages Tuesday. USA Today previously reported on allegations made against Guice, who was accused of rape by two former LSU students. FRESHMAN SEASON (2016)Played in six games with no starts Caught one pass for 19 yards Reception came in home-opener against Jacksonville State Returned a kickoff for four yards against Jacksonville State Other action came against Missouri, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Texas A&M and in the Citrus Bowl vs. Louisville. Les Miles and LSU sexual harassment allegations: 5 things to know about settlement, lawsuit, Drake Davis avoids jail time again as judge terminates probation despite second abuse case, LSU Athletic Department official alleges retaliation after Les Miles complaints: report. In August of last year, Davis was arrested for allegedly beating his ex-girlfriend. She knew. Davis admitted to grabbing the victim by the arms and pushing her. In August, Parrish announced that he had transferred to Memphis. Finley also said that Sharon Lewis followed the protocol Alleva established by reporting the students drink-throwing allegations to Segar. The report details assault allegations made against former wide receiver Drake Davis by an LSU tennis player, including the allegation that the victim's tennis coach, Mike Sell, was informed that Davis had punched the woman in the stomach but did not report the assault to the school or the Title IX coordinator. Lewis shared a statement Thursday on Twitter saying Sell had knowledge of the allegations levied by her players: "I was betrayed by Coach Sell, and I will not stand by and allow her to deny knowledge of what I went through, when in reality she knew the full truth and simply chose to stand by," Lewis wrote.
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