Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) issued a statement calling on Syracuse University to discipline head men’s coach Jim Boeheim the day after his longtime assistant Bernie Fine was fired as a result of allegations that he molested young boys.
In the early days of an investigation into the allegations, Boeheim called into question Bobby Davis, a former ball boys who accused Fine of molesting him. The Hall of Fame coach called the accuser a “liar” and suggested that he was pursuing money.
SNAP defended Fine’s accusers and criticized Boeheim’s comments.
In the written statement sent out Monday, the organization demanded that Boeheim be disciplined, but fell short of calling for his ouster:
We're glad that Bernie Fine has been fired but it's crucial that Syracuse University officials discipline Jim Boeheim for his extraordinarily hurtful recent comments attacking abuse victims. Boeheim's apology will do little or nothing to 'undo' the harm he's caused. Nor will it deter others from making similarly callous comments in the future. If the university really wants to move forward, and create a safe climate for abuse victims, it must take decisive action against Boeheim.
