Kaitlin McKinley Becker

Brandeis University Athletic Director on Leave Following Firing of Men's Basketball Coach

There is more fallout at Brandeis University following the firing of the men's basketball coach.

The university's athletic director, Lynne Dempsey, has been placed on paid administrative leave while an investigation is conducted, Brandeis President Ronald Liebowitz announced Friday. 

Assistant Athletic Director Jim Zotz, the former longtime swimming and diving coach, will serve as acting athletic director.

Liebowitz said the school will retain two independent counsels to investigate.

"I want to apologize on behalf of the university to the students who brought the complaints forward, to any other students who may have been harmed and didn't come forward, and to our entire community," he wrote. "We have a responsibility to provide everyone with a safe environment. We must and will do better. These issues strike at the heart and soul of what Brandeis represents, and we will work with integrity and great intentionality to make things right."

The moves come after men's basketball coach Brian Meehan was fired Thursday following allegations of discrimination and harassment, according to Liebowitz.

In a statement to the Brandeis community Liebowitz wrote that last year, several students filed serious discrimination complaints about Meehan. The complaints included, "preferential and discriminatory treatment, unprofessional behavior, and racially biased harassment."

Those allegations sparked an investigation, Liebowitz wrote. He went on to explain that the administration investigated Meehan and took appropriate disciplinary action.
However, another complaint arose this past week, and at that point the university decided to place Meehan on administrative leave. After reviewing the recent development in the context of Meehan's past, the university decided to fire him.
"I want to be absolutely clear: At Brandeis, there is zero tolerance for discriminating against any student, staff member, faculty member, or visitor because of their race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or any other aspect of their identity," Liebowitz wrote

Those allegations sparked an investigation, Liebowitz wrote. He went on to explain that the administration investigated Meehan and took appropriate disciplinary action.

However, another complaint arose this past week, and at that point, the university decided to place Meehan on administrative leave. After reviewing the recent development in the context of Meehan's past, the university decided to fire him.

"I want to be absolutely clear: At Brandeis, there is zero tolerance for discriminating against any student, staff member, faculty member, or visitor because of their race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or any other aspect of their identity," Liebowitz wrote.

Meehan joined Brandeis as the head coach in 2003 and is the winningest coach in school history.

The school's investigation will be led by former assistant United States attorney for the District of Massachusetts Walter Prince, partner in the Boston law firm Prince Lobel. He will be assisted by the Hon. R. Malcolm Graham, a retired associate justice on the Massachusetts Appeals Court, currently a neutral at JAMS.

Meanwhile, Liebowitz announced they will hold a community-wide town meeting in order to "provide a forum in which we can discuss what we can, and talk about our path forward," stating there is a clear need for the community to begin the process of open and honest conversation.

The meeting will be held Monday, April 9 at 4 p.m. in the university's Levin Ballroom.

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