University of Colorado Athletic Director Rick George claims the university wasn’t trying to hide domestic violence allegations against former football assistant coach Joe Tumpkin by not suspending him until Jan. 6 — more than two weeks after a judge signed a temporary restraining order against the Buffs’ former assistant football coach.
In his first public statement since a Sports Illustrated article revealed that Tumpkin’s ex-girlfriend had contacted the CU Athletic Department in early December — weeks before the department first acknowledged the domestic violence allegations publicly — George took responsibility for not being aware that the temporary restraining order had been signed by a judge on Dec. 20.
No one from the athletic department saw a copy of the temporary restraining order until Jan. 6, after a Daily Camera reporter contacted the department with questions, according to CU officials.
But Tumpkin’s ex-girlfriend told Sports Illustrated that she called head football coach Mike MacIntyre on Dec. 15 and left a message to let him know that she would be contacting police and seeking a restraining order against Tumpkin in the coming days.
Despite knowing about the domestic violence allegations against Tumpkin and that a restraining order and police report would be forthcoming, MacIntyre chose Tumpkin to call defensive plays in the Buffs’ Dec. 29 bowl appearance.
“I take responsibility for not being aware that a temporary restraining order had been filed prior to the day we received a copy, Jan. 6,” George wrote in a statement released Thursday evening. “Immediately after reviewing the report, we called (Tumpkin) in and suspended him the same day. I understand this may appear to some that we were trying to hide the allegation. We were not.”
George explained that athletic department officers were hesitant to suspend Tumpkin “without any police investigation being brought to us or filings in a court.”
“This does not change the situation, but gives you an idea of our conundrum. In the future, we will do better involving our experts around the campus immediately,” according to George’s statement.
George also admitted that he should have immediately reported the domestic violence allegations to CU’s Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, which investigates claims of discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct, including dating violence and domestic violence.
According to the university’s sexual misconduct policy, all faculty and staff who are considered “responsible employees” are required to promptly report all known details related to possible discrimination, harassment or retaliation incidents to the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance.
A responsible employee is someone with hiring, promotion and disciplinary responsibilities, such as a supervisor.
George also said he felt bad that he did not personally reach out to Tumpkin’s ex-girlfriend. He acknowledged that he could’ve handled the situation better and said that he never wants to compromise the university’s values for the sake of success on the football field.
“People need to know that I am committed to doing things the right way here,” according to George’s statement.
That sentiment was echoed by MacIntyre, who also released on Thursday his first public statement since publication of the Sports Illustrated story.
“I understand the concerns of those who worry about the safety of women—as I do—and those concerned that success on the football field means we will abandon our ethics and morals,” according to MacIntyre’s statement. “That is not who I am as a man, a coach, a teacher and as a member of the CU community.
“I did not come to CU to run a program or to achieve success at any cost. Nor has the CU leadership ever encouraged such behavior.”
After confirming several times that the woman was safe, MacIntyre said he immediately reported the domestic violence allegations to George after he first learned of them. MacIntyre did not mention his obligation to report the allegations to the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance under the university’s sexual misconduct policy.
MacIntyre said Tumpkin was made the defensive play-caller for the bowl game because “at the time of the decision, there was no police report or legal complaint.” MacIntyre said this decision was approved by George and DiStefano.
According to the Sports Illustrated story, Tumpkin’s ex-girlfriend first described instances of domestic violence to MacIntyre on Dec. 9.
She also gave MacIntyre a heads-up on Dec. 15 that she would be contacting the police and seeking a restraining order against Tumpkin.
On Dec. 16, MacIntyre announced that Tumpkin would assume defensive play-calling duties at the Dec. 29 Alamo Bowl. Defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt left for another job two days earlier.
Tumpkin was told to resign on Jan. 27 and he was arrested on Feb. 1.
Tumpkin appeared in court on Thursday to be advised of five felony counts of second-degree assault. According to a police affidavit, Tumpkin’s ex-girlfriend said he assaulted her more than 100 times over a period of 21 months.
Sarah Kuta: 303-473-1106, kutas@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/sarahkuta
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