iowa hawkeyes... schon wieder?

[Schwester]

U of I Police interview Hawkeye football players in reported sexual assault
By TOM WITOSKY and RANDY PETERSON • REGISTER STAFF WRITERS • November 14, 2007

A criminal investigation into allegations of sexual assault involving members of the Iowa Hawkeye football team is underway, University of Iowa officials said today.

School officials released a statement this afternoon that the probe is being conducted by the University of Iowa Police in cooperation with the Iowa City police department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Officials said the investigation was prompted by a report filed with U of I police on Nov. 7 in which a woman said that she was attacked in the early morning hours of Oct. 15 in a room in the Hillcrest Residence Hall.

The statement also said that three members of the football team are being questioned in connection with the incident by U of I police, but that no arrests have been made. No players were named in the statement.

"The safety of all members of our campus and community is of paramount importance, so I am deeply disturbed to learn of allegations of a sexual assault," said Iowa president Sally Mason in a statement. "The university will do all that it can to insure that the investigation is thorough and that due process is followed so that a just resolution can be achieved."

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and athletic director Gary Barta also released statements expressing concern for the woman's well-being. They also said they were concerned that football players are subjects in the investigation.

Both said they cannot comment further because it is an open investigation.

Jim Saunders, a spokesman for the DCI, confirmed that UI Police have requested assistance. He stated that agents and criminalists have been sent to the UI campus to assist with the investigation.

The investigation comes at a critical time for Iowa’s football team as it attempts to solidify itself as a bowl team in its last game of the season Saturday against Western Michigan.

This has been a troubling season for Iowa football away from the field. Not only are players currently being investigated for sexual assault, but two have been removed from the team permanently, and others have been suspended.

Dana Brown, a special teams player, was dismissed from the team after being accused of domestic abuse Oct. 16.

Clint Huntrods, a long snapper, was booted after being charged with interference with official acts, public intoxication and urination in public on Sept. 6.

Five others are either suspended or have been suspended:

Receivers Dominique Douglas and Anthony Bowman remain suspended indefinitely
after Aug. 18 arrests for suspicion of unauthorized use of credit cards.

Defensive backs Bradley Fletcher and Lance Tillison, and receiver Ben Evans, have returned from suspensions stemming from drunken driving charges.

At least four other players have had run-ins with the law:

Defensive lineman Ryan Bain transferred to Akron after being charged with disorderly conduct and drunk driving April 14.

Backup quarterback Ricky Stanzi, 20, is still with the team after being charged on May 5 for possession of alcohol.

Backup quarterback Arvell Nelson is still on the team after being charged with driving with a suspended license on July 2.

Backup tight end Tyler Gerstandt is on the team after being charged with possession of alcohol on May 18. He is 21 now, but was 20 at the time of the charge.