NAKED CHEERLEADERS AT KENTUCKY U

Kentucky cheerleading coaches fired after hazing, nudity probe

By Mollie Walker

New York Post
May 18, 2020

Four coaches of the University of Kentucky’s renowned cheerleading team were fired – while a high-level university attorney resigned – following a three-month internal investigation that found a lack of off-campus oversight as squad members took part in hazing, alcohol use and public nudity, the school announced Monday.

Head coach Jomo Thompson and assistant coaches Ben Head, Spencer Clan and Kelsey LaCroix, were all let go.

University lawyer T. Lynn Wlliamson — who served for four decades as an administrative advisor to the cheerleading team, according to Kentucky.com — opted to retire as a result of the investigation.

“The University of Kentucky has built the nation’s premier collegiate cheerleading program. But regrettably, the integrity of the program has been compromised by inappropriate behavior by some squad members on off-campus trips and by lax oversight by the program’s coaches and advisor,” UK President Eli Capilouto said in a statement to Kentucky.com.

The statement also claimed the coaching staff “knew or reasonably should have known” about the team’s off-the-mat antics and failed to take the necessary steps to address it.

Members of the team spoke out Monday in defense of the program.

“This program has been nothing besides outstanding & produces outstanding people because of the guidance our coaches provided for us. I pray people don’t give in to lies that went too far,” senior Allie Law tweeted Monday.

“This program is the epitome of professionalism,” senior Riley Aguiar tweeted. “It’s not only made me a better athlete, but also a much better person. This greatly affects myself and my teammates who have worked our whole lives to get to this university/team. Please don’t feed into lies that are hurting us.”

According to the school’s internal investigation, team members took part in “basket tosses,” a common gymnastic routine that requires throwing someone into the air, while either topless or bottomless directly in front of coaches at a team retreat.

Students reportedly brought alcohol to the retreat and coaches neglected to confiscate it, while also allowing team alumni to bring boats and alcohol to the same retreat. Some members of the team became so drunk they needed medical attention, the statement said.

At a different cheerleading camp, according to the release, team members were instructed by others to perform “lewd chants and wear outfits that did not include underwear.”

The release said there was no evidence of sexual assault or sexual misconduct.

Additionally, two members of the coaching staff who ran gymnastic-driven businesses reportedly employed members of the cheerleading squad.

According to Kentucky.com, Eric Monday, the university’s executive vice president for finance and administration, said the report indicates the improper behavior began before the last school year.