Stoops might not have say in Tubman's return to Kentucky football team

Whether Lloyd Tubman is allowed to return to play football for Kentucky after the rape charge against him was dismissed might not be up to the athletics department or head coach Mark Stoops.

Under UK's student conduct rules, a case of sexual assault that goes to the police is automatically heard in an Office of Student Conduct hearing that must be held within 60 days of the incident.

Those hearings operate under a lower burden of proof than the criminal justice system, which did not indict Tubman on Wednesday.

UK officials declined to provide documents sought in a Herald-Leader open-records request about any disciplinary action against Tubman, citing federal student privacy laws.

The former standout from Seneca High School in Louis ville has gone through at least part of the process with the disciplinary board, but it's unclear what his future at Kentucky might be.

"As it relates to UK, I don't have any discussion to give other than how disappointed I am with the entire disciplinary board or whatever they may call themselves," Tubman's mother, Warnetta Smith Cooper, said in a series of Facebook messages.

"My son loves UK and wanted to be a part as a family of UK, but sincerely, they never proved me wrong of thoughts on how they treat their athletes."

Cooper went on to say that UK's coaches were "decent and genuine," but added that the disciplinary board "can never be trusted.

"So sad how many athletes could fall victim of (the board's) handling of cases."

When asked directly if Tubman had been suspended or expelled by the disciplinary board, Cooper said: "I can't comment. I said what was on my mind."

A Fayette County grand jury chose Wednesday not to indict the defensive end on a first-degree rape charge.

According to court documents, Tubman, 20, was charged in October after a woman with whom he had a previous relationship accused him of raping her in her dorm room on the morning of Oct. 2.

On Thursday, when asked about Tubman's potential return to the team, athletics spokesman Tony Neely said: "He is not enrolled in school. We do not have any additional comment at this time."

University spokesman Jay Blanton noted that under federal student privacy provisions, UK cannot discuss specific student records.

"However, in general, if the university became aware of an alleged sexual assault involving students, the university would typically initiate and complete a student code of conduct proceeding within 60 days," he said.

The university's Student Code of Conduct outlines several possible sanctions, which could include suspension and expulsion.

When asked about student expulsion protocol, Blanton said the decision ultimately rested with the dean of students.

Tubman's mother seemed confident that her son was facing a bright future no matter what.

"What God has in store for you no one can take it away," Cooper said. "As for my son Lloyd, there is so much ahead of him, UK or not! ... Lloyd has always been blessed, watch and see."

This story was originally published February 12, 2015 at 11:54 AM with the headline "Stoops might not have say in Tubman's return to Kentucky football team."