Kentucky fires cheerleading staff after investigation into nudity, alcohol abuse

A lake party involving public nudity and excessive alcohol use prompted an investigation into the nation's most successful cheerleading team. Photo / Getty Images

The University of Kentucky has fired its cheerleading coaches after an internal investigation determined they failed to oversee off-campus events that included hazing, alcohol use and public nudity by the championship squad.

The school announced Tuesday (NZST) head coach Jomo Thompson and assistants Ben Head, Spencer Clan and Kelsey LaCroix were fired from the program, which has won 24 national titles in the past 35 years, including four straight from 2016-19.

The three-month investigation also found "lax oversight and poor judgment" by longtime primary adviser T. Lynn Williamson, Kentucky's principal deputy general counsel.

Williamson retired days after learning of the investigation and being told to have no contact with the squad.

The review, which involved interviews with more than 60 squad members, coaches and administrators, found that the activities occurred last summer during a retreat at a Kentucky lake and a cheerleading camp in Tennessee.

It stated that some cheerleaders at the retreat performed gymnastics routines that included hurling teammates into the water, known as "basket tosses", while either topless or bottomless within view of some of the coaches.

Coaches also didn't confiscate alcohol brought to the retreat by some team members, the report added, with some members requiring medical treatment for intoxication.

Some cheerleaders at the camp were directed to perform lewd chants and wear outfits that did not include underwear.

The report found no sexual assault or sexual misconduct during the trips.

Today, we are announcing actions to protect our students and ensure the integrity of the nation’s premier collegiate cheerleading program.

“Our students deserve more responsible leadership and the University of Kentucky demands it.”https://t.co/urqWSsStZn

— #MaskUpCats (@universityofky) May 18, 2020

Kentucky President Eli Capilouto said in a teleconference that the coaches knew or should have known about the inappropriate behaviour.

"They failed to take sufficient steps to address the conduct," he said. "They did not act in ways that would protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our students who were entrusted to their care.

"This is not who we are at the University of Kentucky. This is not what we do," he said.

Kentucky's investigation also uncovered potential conflicts of interest by two coaches who ran gymnastics businesses and employed squad members.

The athletic department will take control of the cheerleading program and be led by associate director Sandy Bell, who will begin a national search for a new coach.

- AP