Sports

UM's Sudden Expulsion Of Brendan Gibbons For 2009 Incident Raises Serious Questions

Reported Tuesday, the permanent separation of kicker Brendan Gibbons from the University of Michigan raises a troubling question: Since Gibbons' alleged sexual misconduct occurred in 2009, why was he allowed to continue as a student and member of the storied Wolverines football program for the next three seasons?

According to the Michigan Daily, a document pertaining to Gibbons, dated Nov. 20, 2013, and signed by Stacy Vander Velde, associate director of the Office of Student Conflict Resolution, stated that the university's review of a sexual assault allegation yielded a significant amount of evidence of Gibbons' guilt. The findings prompted the University to conclude "the Respondent engaged in unwanted or unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, committed without valid consent, and that conduct was so severe as to create a hostile, offensive, or abusive environment."

Gibbons played for the Wolverines days later, on Saturday, Nov. 23, against Iowa. He made all three of his field goal attempts. Gibbons did not play in the season finale against Ohio State - dealing with an injury, it was announced - or in the bowl game, ostensibly due to a family matter.

Though Michigan has now reportedly cut ties with Gibbons - now that he has completed his career as a football player and is fourth on the all-time list for field goals made - Michigan associate athletic director Dave Ablauf would not comment on the report.