Baylor president wants review of athletic dept.

Following the school’s internal review of the events surrounding Sam Ukwuachu’s arrival on campus and sexual assault case, Baylor president Ken Starr is calling for an independent review of the school’s athletic department.

“We must guarantee there is no room at Baylor University for those who would perpetrate sexual violence on our campus,” Starr said in an official statement. “I want to thank Jeremy Counseller, Professor of Law and Faculty Athletics Representative, for his judgment and guidance. After reviewing the results of his internal inquiry, I am recommending that our Board of Regents retain the services of outside counsel to investigate thoroughly these matters and recommend continued improvements. The Board plans to announce its selection of outside counsel early next week.”

Ukwuachu transferred from Boise State to Baylor in 2013. Last week, he was found guilty of second-degree sexual assault of a former women’s soccer player and sentenced to 10 years of felony probation and placed in the county jail for 180 days. He will also have to serve 400 hours of community service.

The defensive end has not played in a game for the Bears, but his presence on campus at Baylor was questioned because his dismissal from Boise State’s football program occurred among accusations of being abusive to his girlfriend. Officially, Ukwuachu was dismissed for an unspecified violation of team rules.

Starr also announced the creation of a new position in the athletic department “that has the authority and oversight of all student-athlete behavior.” This new position will report directly to the university president and will be responsible for making sure athletes “maintain the high level of personal ethics and integrity that Baylor Nation demands.”

Baylor DE Sam Ukwuachu was found guilty of sexual assault. (USATSI)

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