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U. of Minnesota’s Athletics Director Resigns After Sending ‘Inappropriate Texts’

Norwood Teague, who has been the athletics director at the University of Minnesota since 2012, abruptly resigned this week after reports of sexual harassment involving “non-student University employees”.

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The University of Minnesota announced Friday, August 7, 2015, that Teague submit…

Teague says he had too much to drink at a recent university event and “behaved badly towards nice people”.

“I believe his resignation is the appropriate response”, he said in the statement, noting that Teague will seek alcohol counseling and other assistance. I’m embarrassed and I apologize.

Assistant Athletic Director Beth Goetz is filling in as interim A.D. until a permanent successor is chosen.

Rayno writes that it got to the point where she had to stop talking to Teague unless absolutely necessary, making her job hard as a reporter who needs access to the school’s athletic director.

During his three-year tenure, Teague made several high-profile moves, including the hiring of men’s basketball coach Richard Pitino and women’s basketball coach Marlene Stollings. And when the Teague news broke, she could immediately empathize with the women on the receiving end of unwanted advances.

“The fact that weve pursued this aggressively and weve parted ways reflects a vigorous and firm statement about what the values of this university are and that his drinking doesnt align with those, ” Kaler said.

Teague said he planned to “reassess my career and life options”.

“Suddenly”, Rayno wrote, “in a public and crowded bar, Teague tried to throw his arm around me”.

Teague said he offers to view advice as a result of his dui look his universe.

U of M President Eric Kaler said the university received the two complaints from the employees on the same night following a recent university event. I have great confidence in President Kaler and his team with what they’re going to do in replacing Norwood. Volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon was hired by Maturi, but he arrived on campus at the same time as Teague. This is a terrific place and we’ve accomplished great things together. His signature project – a $190 million athletic facilities village – is $50 million short of a fundraising target to receive approval from the Board of Regents next month.

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When requested concerning the influence Teague’s leaving may need on the plan to improve the athletics amenities, which may be a think about retaining Kill if floor shouldn’t be damaged this fall as promised by Teague, Kaler stated: “The college momentum behind that is excessive”.

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