Syracuse Police Investigating Assistant Syracuse Basketball Coach Bernie Fine For Molestation

The alleged victim, Bobby Davis, now 39, told Outside the Lines that Fine molested him beginning in 1983 shortly before Davis entered the seventh grade. Davis, the team’s ball boy for six years beginning in 1984, said the abuse occurred at Fine’s home, at the Syracuse basketball facilities, and on road trips, including the 1987 Final Four.

The university was told the allegations in 2005, but the investigation went nowhere.

“On hearing of the allegations in 2005, the University immediately launched its own comprehensive investigation through its legal counsel. That nearly four-month long investigation included a number of interviews with people the complainant said would support his claims. All of those identified by the complainant denied any knowledge of wrongful conduct by the associate coach. The associate coach also vehemently denied the allegations.

At this point, these are just allegations, but if true…

In recent days, a second man contacted Outside the Lines with information alleging that Fine had also molested him. That man said he was inspired to finally talk after seeing news coverage of the Sandusky case.

You have to wonder how many more stories like this we are going to see over the coming months as more kids realize that they are not alone.

Update: Here is Syracuse’s full statement.

[ESPN]