The University of Evansville announced on Friday that men’s basketball coach Walter McCarty has been placed on administrative leave amid an investigation into alleged violations of the school’s Title IX policy.
An official statement from Evansville said there have been recent reports about McCarty’s “off-court behavior,” including an incident that may have violated the school’s Title IX policy.
UE officials tell me no comment can be made at this time because this is an "open investigation" on Walter McCarty. Full statement from the University of Evansville below.
I'll have the latest details on @WEHTWTVWlocal at 4. pic.twitter.com/r0X0UON3zh
— Jessica Wimsatt (@Jessica_Wimsatt) December 27, 2019
Chad Lindskog of the Evansville Courier & Press obtained a copy of an internal letter that was sent to Evansville staff, and it said that the school has received reports of “unwelcome conduct” from McCarty.
“The University has received reports of unwelcome conduct by Coach McCarty since his arrival in March 2018,” Evansville President Chris Pietruszkiewicz wrote. “We have counseled him about his behavior. In the last two weeks, the University received a troubling report about Coach McCarty’s interactions with a member of the campus community. We have placed Coach McCarty on leave while that incident is being investigated.”
Pietruszkiewicz acknowledged that McCarty has become popular at Evansville due to his success with the men’s basketball program and ties to the community, but the school president said “UE will not tolerate any behavior from any university employee or student that jeopardizes the safety and security of others.”
McCarty’s Purple Aces beat then-No. 1 Kentucky at Rupp Arena earlier this season despite entering the game as 25-point underdogs. The coach had to fulfill a promise to his players after they pulled off the stunning upset against his alma mater.
NBA fans may be familiar with McCarty, as he was a fan favorite and key role player during his time with the Boston Celtics from 1997-2005. He also played for the New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers.
