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Statement from Joe Alleva Regarding Men's Lacrosse Case

Over the last month the Duke University community has been torn by allegations arising from the incident of March 13. The outrage, anger and concern voiced by our residents and neighbors continue to be expressed.

Today's indictment of two members of the men's lacrosse team does not mean we can expect that the anger and concern will go away, but at last we can envision a point where a jury will hear the case, and a verdict will be rendered. For those of us in the Department of Athletics, the coaches, the more than 600 student-athletes and for me especially, it has been a particularly hard period, which is to be expected when two of your own face such serious charges.

Let us not forget at this difficult time that under our system of laws, those charged with crimes are presumed innocent until judged by a jury of their peers. President Brodhead is right; we must allow our system of laws to run its course. Let there be no doubt that we in the Department of Athletics take these issues seriously and are cooperating fully with the reviews established by President Brodhead.

Over the years, Duke Athletics has stood for and embodied core values with which this university has become synonymous -- a commitment to academic excellence reflected in high graduation rates, participation at the highest levels of intercollegiate competition and, above all, preparing our students for productive lives of leadership beyond the playing fields.

Throughout the history of our department, Duke Athletics has recognized our place within the larger educational process, always seeking to embody and reflect higher Blue Devil values. Going forward, we will strive to build upon those values because in the end, we know that our goal must be to continue our proud heritage of athletic and academic excellence.