University of Oregon President Michael Gottfredson on Friday announced that Dominic Artis, Damyean Dotson and Brandon Austin will no longer play for the Oregon men’s basketball team Friday. The action follows the Eugene Police Department’s public release of a report that the three players were accused of rape in March.
Gottfredson had announced on April 3 that the university was renewing its commitment to preventing sexual violence. The Coalition to End Sexual Violence led a protest outside of Johnson Hall on Thursday afternoon. Coalition leaders announced plans to march outside the building every day at noon.
Gottfredson said the players’ actions as detailed in the report were “utterly unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
“I understand and sympathize with the outrage that people feel. I’m angry and disappointed over this profoundly disturbing incident,” he said.
Artis, Dotson and Austin were the subject of an EPD rape investigation when the alleged survivor reported an assault on March 14.
The police department asked the UO to abstain from taking action in order to maintain the integrity of the investigation. The Lane County district attorney dismissed the case because of insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Artis and Dotson competed in both the Pac-12 and NCAA tournaments while the investigation was happening. Austin isn’t eligible to play until this December because of his transfer status.
The Oregonian reported on Thursday that Altman knew his players were under investigation before he let them participate in the NCAA Tournament. University officials approved the players’ participation.
University officials received the report on April 24, 10 days after the the district attorney dismissed the case. The players were suspended from the team on May 5.
The alleged assault occurred early in the morning of March 9 at two locations: Twice in a bathroom at Johnathan Loyd’s house and again at an apartment leased to Artis and Dotson.
Austin is also under investigation in Rhode Island for alleged sexual assault he committed while attending Providence College. That incident occurred in November. He transferred to Oregon on Jan. 7. At the time, Altman vouched for his character. Altman has not been available for comment.