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U of U to investigate allegations against swim program

Posted at 5:29 PM, Mar 25, 2013
and last updated 2013-03-25 19:38:28-04

SALT LAKE CITY - University of Utah President David Pershing announced Monday that the school will examine allegations made against the swimming and diving program.

The investigation comes after allegations against head swimming coach Greg Winslow came to light late last month.

According to reports, Winslow allegedly abused a swimmer he coached at the Arizona State aquatics club over a period of at least two years, starting when the victim was 15 years old.

Several former swimmers came forward, accusing Winslow of abuse, including Lauren Hewson, who says she and her mother reported the alleged abuse to university officials back in 2008, but nothing was done.

The members of the team reviewing Winslow and the program will report their findings directly to a subcommittee of the University's Board of Trustees headed by vice-chair Michele Mattsson.

The trustees have retained John T. Nielsen, a former prosecutor and Utah Commissioner of Public Safety, as an additional third-party expert to augment the independent review.

"The president met with the swim team to reassure them and tell them that the university is obviously taking these allegations very seriously and has retained outside counsel to take a look at the issue," said Keith Sterling with the University of Utah.

After the review, the board of trustees will make their findings public.

Meanwhile, Winslow is on paid administrative leave pending a separate investigation. His contract as the Utah swim coach has not been renewed.

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