Rape Accusation Against Lacrosse Players Roils Duke

The team went on to play two games -- defeating North Carolina, then losing to Cornell -- before news of the alleged assault surfaced last week. Initially, Athletic Director Joe Alleva said that Duke would forfeit the team's next two games. But in the face of mounting pressure, Brodhead announced Tuesday that the university had suspended all future games until there was a resolution of the legal situation involving team members.

"In this painful period of uncertainty, it is clear to me, as it was to the players, that it would be inappropriate to resume the normal schedule of play," Brodhead said. "Sports have their time and place, but when an issue of this gravity is in question, it is not time to be playing games."

Brodhead said he made the decision to suspend the games following a meeting with Alleva and captains of the team.

"I completely agree with President Brodhead's statement and appreciate his leadership throughout this trying situation," Alleva said in a statement released by the university. "As unsettling as this has been for our entire community, dealing with difficult circumstances is part of the educational process."

Brodhead said he hoped that the incident would not interfere with Duke's growing ties with North Carolina Central University, a historically black institution. He also expressed concern that the incident could affect Duke's relations with the surrounding community, noting that the house where the party was held is one of 15 properties the university recently purchased in response to complaints about noise and other disturbances caused by parties in off-campus houses rented by multiple students.

Duke students said the tension between students and the Durham community is real. Durham, with a population of 210,000, is the home of one of the nation's most prestigious universities but also is a working-class, former tobacco town with a large black population. "There is a disconnect between Duke and the community," said Jeff Richmond, a 21-year-old senior from Beaver, W.Va. "Duke students think of Durham as a dark, scary place."

One resident looked at the incident from a different perspective. "Whoever done it needs to step up," said Benny Meriweather, 45, a tire company employee. Meriweather said he had seen Duke students buying cases of beer at local grocery stores and had learned to avoid the Main Street neighborhood near campus where many Duke students live and party.

The lacrosse team continued to practice, even after games against Georgetown and Mount St. Mary's were canceled. Saturday's scheduled game with Ohio State in Columbus has been canceled as well. The Blue Devils had a 6-2 record before the suspensions. According to Art Chase, Duke's sports information director, the games will count as "no contests" rather than forfeits.

Duke had nine starters back from a team that went 17-3 last season and advanced to the NCAA title game, losing to Johns Hopkins, 9-8, last Memorial Day. It was the best season in school history.

Nine of the 47 players on Duke's roster went to high school in the Washington area. Five of them played at Landon, two at Bullis, and one each at Georgetown Prep and the Potomac School.

Phone messages and e-mails to Pressler, several players and parents were not returned.

The incident has rattled the growing but tightknit lacrosse community.

"It's hard to focus on X's and O's right now," said Virginia Coach Dom Starsia, whose No. 1-ranked team is preparing for a weekend contest against No. 3 Maryland in College Park. "I spoke to [Maryland Coach Dave Cottle] and I said no disrespect, but I am having trouble focusing."

Sweezey reported from Washington.