Lorenzo Romar UW basketball coach
The University of Washington's basketball coach says the rape allegation against one of his players has been keeping him up at night. (AP Photo)

Romar says rape claim is causing sleepless nights

January 18, 2011 @ 5:27 pm (Updated: 1:30 pm - 3/28/11 )

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By ALEX SILVERMAN
KIRO Radio

The University of Washington's basketball coach says the rape allegation against one of his players has been keeping him up at night.

At a regular team press conference Tuesday afternoon, Coach Lorenzo Romar said he still will not comment on the investigation. However, when asked if the specter of a rape claim is eating at him personally, Romar said he's been concerned with all aspects of his program.

"There are many nights that my wife says, you're awake again, and I say, yeah I'm awake," he said.

When asked if there is a policy that dictates the point at which team action might be taken, Romar declined to answer.

"I won't run from it when it's that time," Romar said. "But at this time, there's no need to address it."

A 16-year-old alleges she and the player corresponded on Facebook, and when they met in person, he raped her in an apartment near Garfield High School in Seattle's Central District.

In an interview last week, the alleged victim's father told KIRO-FM he's angry that the player his daughter says raped her is still on the court for the Huskies.

"I know that Coach Romar has, I think, 3 daughters. If it were his daughters, I don't think [the player] would be traveling to northern California with the team," the father said.

Asked to respond to that, Romar declined. "I'll stick to that pretty good, that statement," he said. "Try again?"

After hearing Romar's remarks, the accuser's father said he's not going to stop pressing the coach.

"I wrote a letter to Coach Romar," he said. "I'm waiting for a response. Tomorrow will be day 10. If I don't hear a response, I want to distribute the letter to pastors of different churches, to see if they might put some pressure on the coach and the school to answer my questions in the letter."

Seattle police say the investigation is ongoing. KIRO-FM is not naming the player in question since he has not been formally charged with a crime.

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Comments (21)


  • Add A Comment

  • Whidbeyboy wrote...
    Poor Guy
    January 18, 2011 6:38 pm
    I can't believe he is whining about not sleeping when she was raped. I wonder how she is sleeping? He is the victim?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • wonderfullone wrote...
    Bet the scum-bag basketball star
    January 18, 2011 6:47 pm
    is sleeping like a baby.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • C"mon Man wrote...
    May I remind you
    January 18, 2011 7:59 pm
    Innocent,until proven guilty, I know you forgot. I'm not taking sides, I have two daughters.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Amorget wrote...
    Whidbeyboy
    January 18, 2011 9:11 pm
    I fail to see what Romar did that was illegal. Do you not think he has the utmost sympathy for the girl?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Charlie's Dad wrote...
    I'll go with Romar's call
    January 18, 2011 9:24 pm
    Romar is a father and good judge of character as well as talent. I trust him to do the right thing even if it hurts the teams chances of winning. The player if he did what he is accused of will be dealt with appropriately if and when it is proven he did something wrong. Until then it is only speculation and I have no doubt that if Romar thought any differently he would let us know by his actions. Enough said.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpitantso wrote...
    Romar
    January 19, 2011 12:16 am
    Life has a lot of lessons, he'll be a stronger man,husband friend and Coach, it's good he's having a hard time with this all the facts must not be clear even if the actions were.Our prayers are with those that are in need.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • bigmurr wrote...
    There is still an investagation I think, or not ?????
    January 19, 2011 3:31 am
    Go ahead and try to tell me if it was my daughter, or if I had one. Im waiting for the charges first. Not accusations. Just like the people that try to climb on the athlete's stardom. How about look within your self first.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Steve Dallas wrote...
    It's simple, really...
    January 19, 2011 7:17 am
    The girl was 16. The "suspect" we all believe is the one that did this is almost certainly over 21. They have done a rape kit, so they will know if he had sexual contact with her. Then, regardless of whether or not he raped her, he can SUSPEND him based on his poor judgement (and breaking team rules, I hope) in both drinking and having sex with an underage 16 year old. Then, let the chips fall where they may with the rape charge. Please don't tell me Romar has his hands tied though, because he doesn't. If he continues to play this guy, he's just contributing to the problem.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ptjones wrote...
    UW is doing a good job of making this go away...
    January 19, 2011 7:20 am
    Till after the season is over. Everyone has their ideas of who it was...some more justified then others. But in my mind I feel that the process being drawn out. Reggie Moore is suspended while the process is drawn out...this player should be suspended during the process also.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • artimus wrote...
    Romar
    January 19, 2011 8:12 am
    My impression of Romar is that he'll do the right thing if/when the information is in. It does seem to be taking a long time for the story to come out.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }