Dutcher Resigns, Minnesota Forfeits Game After 3 Arrests

University of Minnesota basketball Coach Jim Dutcher announced his resignation Saturday, one day after the arrests of three players on a count of sexual assault.

University President Kenneth Keller and Athletic Director Paul Giel accepted Dutcher’s resignation reluctantly during an emotion-packed news conference.

Giel said the arrests also prompted the university to forfeit its Big Ten game today against Northwestern at Evanston, Ill.

University officials planned to review the incidents over the next few days, Keller said, and make a decision concerning the future of the basketball program.

Keller said he hoped the season could continue.

Dutcher, 52, said he offered his resignation because “I think the program needs a new direction. I’m not pleased with the way we’re heading.

“Whenever you’re dealing with young people, you have very definite highs and very definite lows,” he said. “I’ve experienced both.”

Sophomore players Mitchell Lee, 20; Kevin Smith, 21, and George Williams, 19, were being held without bail in the Dane County Jail in Madison, Wis., on preliminary charges of second-degree sexual assault, authorities said.

The charges were filed Friday after an 18-year-old Madison woman told authorities she was raped in the Concourse Hotel in Madison, where the team was staying.

The woman, a student at the Madison Area Technical College, was taken to a local hospital for treatment, Madison Police Officer Joe Durkin said.

Dane County assistant district attorney Steven Tinker said a decision will be made by Monday on whether to bring formal charges against the three.

Lee was found innocent of third-degree sexual conduct Jan. 14 in Minneapolis. The Carol City, Fla., native was charged with raping a female student in January 1984 in a dormitory.

Smith, a prep All-American selection in 1983, is from Lansing, Mich. Williams is from Oakland.

The maximum penalty for second-degree sexual assault is 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

“Several of the players in our men’s basketball team have been accused of, have been charged with, second-degree assault, and one of them for the second time,” Keller said.

“Sexual assault--rape--is not only a crime, but in fact it’s an offense against all of us as human beings. It’s not to be excused. It’s not to be explained away.

“In fact, I suspect that in recent years the increase of its occurence in our society and its increase as a problem resulted in part from our tendency in the past to try to explain it, or excuse it or ignore it. None of those things are things that the university can do and feel true to its own values.”

Giel released a statement saying the arrests were “profoundly disturbing.”

“There are not very many options open to us in this situation,” Giel said. “But after as much consideration of the pros and cons as we have been able to do, and after consultation with university President Ken Keller and Vice President (Frank) Wilderson, I have notified the team, the conference and Northwestern University that we are forfeiting Sunday’s game.”

Giel said the university was unable to do business as usual after allegations of such a serious crime.

Keller said Friday that the Wisconsin incident will be investigated before a decision could be made on possible cancellation of the 12 remaining games in the Gopher season.

Dutcher said before announcing his resignation that he vigorously opposes canceling the season.

“Who does that punish?” he said.

Dutcher guided the 1981-82 team to a 23-6 record and its first Big Ten title in more than a decade.

He began the 1985-86 season with a 177-106 career record at Minnesota and a 299-156 combined mark in 16 seasons, including six years at Eastern Michigan. Minnesota is 13-6 overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten this season.

The Gophers defeated Wisconsin, 67-65, Thursday night and were to return to Minnesota Friday in preparation for the game against Northwestern.

Five squad cars met the team Friday morning at the Dane County Regional Airport, and the players boarded their plane, which had been scheduled to fly to the Twin Cities. The flight was canceled due to a snowstorm, and the players then debarked.

Witnesses at the airport in Madison said the young woman attempted to identify some of the players lined up outside the airplane by police.