LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart says he can't comment on a lawsuit filed by two former swim team members against him, the school and former coach Lars Jorgensen, alleging sexual assaults including rape by Jorgensen and claiming the school “purposefully” disregarded multiple credible reports of inappropriate sexual relationships.
Asked about the lawsuit after Sunday’s news conference at Rupp Arena introducing men’s basketball coach Mark Pope, the longtime AD said he couldn't comment because the matter is under litigation.
“I always say we always want to have safety for our student-athletes, our coaches and our staff," the longtime AD said. "But other than that, I can’t say.”
Former Kentucky swimmer and assistant coach Briggs Alexander and a woman identified only as Jane Doe filed the suit Friday in U.S. District Court. It said Kentucky empowered Jorgensen to “foster a toxic, sexually hostile environment within the swim program and to prey on, sexually harass, and commit horrific sexual assaults.”
The Associated Press typically does not name people who say they were sexually assaulted unless they consent to being identified, as Alexander did.
The lawsuit also alleged that former Kentucky head coach Gary Conelly, who led the program from 1991 until retiring in 2013, did not follow up on being told of previous alleged misconduct by Jorgensen at Toledo. It also alleged that Barnhart did not follow up an email about allegations or investigate them and hired Jorgensen, and it accused him of intentionally concealing the allegations.
AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports
Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barhart, left, introduces new Kentucky mens' basketball head coach Mark Pope, right, during a press conference in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, April 14, 2024. (AP Photo/James Crisp)
Kentucky AD Barnhart: No comment on suit by former swimmers alleging sexual misconduct by ex-coach
Kentucky AD Barnhart: No comment on suit by former swimmers alleging sexual misconduct by ex-coach
FILE - University of Kentucky Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart watches an NCAA college football game between Kentucky and Mississippi State in Lexington, Ky., Oct. 15, 2022. Two former Kentucky swim team members have sued the school, former coach Lars Jorgensen and athletic director Mitch Barnhart, alleging sexual assaults including rape by the former coach and claiming the school “purposefully” disregarded multiple credible reports of inappropriate sexual relationships. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb, file)
BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown and Derrick White each scored 25 points and the Boston Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals, beating the short-handed Miami Heat 118-84 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Boston will face the winner of the Cleveland-Orlando series. The Cavaliers lead 3-2, with Game 6 in Orlando on Friday night.
Brown also had six assists, and White hit five 3-pointers. Sam Hauser added 17 points and Jayson Tatum had 16 points and 12 rebounds, The top-seeded Celtics never trailed and led by 35 points. They also got a measure of revenge a year after the Heat routed them in Game 7 of the conference finals in Boston.
Bam Adebayo scored 23 points and Tyler Herro had 15 for Miami, which made its first exit from the playoffs prior to the conference finals since 2021. The Heat struggled throughout, going 3 of 29 from 3-point range.
Boston played for the first time this postseason without center Kristaps Porzingis after he strained his right calf in the Celtics’ Game 4 victory. His teammates filled in the gaps, as the Celtics’ lead reached 30 points in the first half.
Boston exploited a Heat team that was the most injured it’d been in the series. Jaime Jaquez Jr. sat out after suffering a hip injury in Game 4. He was replaced in the lineup by Delon Wright, marking the 37th starting five the Heat used this season. Jaquez joined Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck), who had both been sidelined since the start of the series.
It made for unique rotations for Miami, which included veteran Patty Mills logging minutes for just the third time in the series.
Boston seized on the vulnerabilities in the Heat’s defense, spreading them out and knocking down eight 3-pointers in the opening period. It helped the Celtics carry an 18-point lead into the second quarter.
The highlight of the opening 12 minutes came courtesy of White, who pulverized Miami from long distance with eight 3s in Game 4. He stayed on the attack early Wednesday, faking a 3-point attempt and then driving in for an uncontested one-handed dunk.
White played to the home crowd afterward, holding his hand in front of his face as he backpedaled up the court. After the Heat called a timeout, a courtside fan near the Celtics’ bench could be seen pantomiming fanning White on the sideline.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) tries to shoot over Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet (40) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, center, drives to the basket against Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) and guard Tyler Herro during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots over Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra watches his players during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) sets to drive against Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) tosses up a shot after driving past Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (30) battles Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin for the ball during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives past Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) grabs a long pass against Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin, left, during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, right, slams a dunk against Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
