‘Not who we are.’ UK President Eli Capilouto’s campus email on cheerleading probe

Dear Campus Community,

A commitment we make and renew every day at the University of Kentucky is that the success of our students is at the center of everything that we do.

But for that sentiment to be more than words, we must always act in ways that honor that commitment — especially when we discover rare instances where those who supervise and guide our students don’t meet the standards of integrity we expect of each other.

This is one of those times.

The University of Kentucky has built the nation’s premier collegiate cheerleading program, winning 24 national championships and developing hundreds of outstanding students over the past 35 years.

But regrettably, the integrity of the program has been compromised by inappropriate behavior by some squad members on off-campus trips and by lax oversight by the program’s coaches and advisor.

An extensive investigation found hazing activities, alcohol use and public nudity by some members of the cheerleading squad during annual retreats and other out-of-town trips. Some of this poor behavior may have been practiced and tolerated for some years.

Most significantly, the coaches and the advisor who are responsible for these students and who attended these events — knew or reasonably should have known about inappropriate behavior.

They failed to take sufficient steps to address the conduct. They did not act in ways that would protect the health, safety and well-being of the students who were entrusted to their care.

This is not who we are at the University of Kentucky. This is not what we do.

Here are the actions we are announcing today:

• The entire coaching staff has been dismissed from its duties with the program.
• The program’s advisor announced his retirement earlier this year, after being interviewed during the investigation’s earliest stage.
• We will fully transfer administration of the program to the Athletics Department to ensure the culture, compliance and structure provided for 22 other teams.
• A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
• Three reports that provide additional details will be posted on this site — https://www.uky.edu/prmarketing/reports-and-other-materials — later today.
• We are conducting an extensive program and financial audit to help athletics as it moves forward in creating a new administration and culture of compliance for cheerleading.

We place the safety and health of our students above all other priorities as a university.

We cannot truly have a championship cheerleading program if we do not protect the health, safety and well-being of our students.

That is who we are. That is what we do at the University of Kentucky.

Eli Capilouto

This story was originally published May 18, 2020 at 3:38 PM.