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Another University of Colorado Alleged Victim Steps Forward
Aired February 17, 2004 - 15:14 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: More controversy today regarding the University of Colorado. The football team is already under a cloud of controversy amid allegations that paid strippers attended recruiting parties. And there are other charges of sexual misconduct and harassment.
Now CNN's Josie Burke says there's a new bombshell involving that school and the only woman who ever played for the football team.
Josie, what do you know?
JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, the latest allegations surrounding the football team here at the University of Colorado are coming from Katie Hnida. She's the young woman who was a walk-on on the football team here back in 1999. She's a place-kicker.
She alleges in the current issue of "Sports Illustrated" that, during that 1999 season, she was routinely harassed by her teammates. And then she alleges that, in the summer of 2000, she was raped by one of her teammates. At the time, Hnida did not report the crime. She is currently a student at the University of New Mexico, when she played on the Lobos' football team last season. Today, she released a statement explaining why she's sharing her story now.
She said: "The recent allegations into the football program at the University of Colorado have caused me to come forward with the details of my own experiences at C.U. I did this because I hope no one else will have to deal with the horrors I've endured over the past few years. I felt that my information is pertinent to the investigation being conducted. I have been in contact with Boulder County law enforcement authorities, but I do not expect to file any charges at this time."
Just yesterday, the University of Colorado Board of Regents appointed a panel to investigate the previous allegations surrounding the football team that sex and alcohol were used as recruiting tools. To this point today, there's been no formal statement from the university. But we do expect to hear regarding the latest allegations from university President Betsy Hoffman at some point today, also, from football coach Gary Barnett.
He declined to comment through his office, but he did say in that "Sports Illustrated" article -- he was quoted as saying: I don't believe that she was sexually harassed. I don't believe that any of our players would do that -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Josie Burke, it's definitely a story we will continue to follow. Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
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Aired February 17, 2004 - 15:14 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: More controversy today regarding the University of Colorado. The football team is already under a cloud of controversy amid allegations that paid strippers attended recruiting parties. And there are other charges of sexual misconduct and harassment.
Now CNN's Josie Burke says there's a new bombshell involving that school and the only woman who ever played for the football team.
Josie, what do you know?
JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, the latest allegations surrounding the football team here at the University of Colorado are coming from Katie Hnida. She's the young woman who was a walk-on on the football team here back in 1999. She's a place-kicker.
She alleges in the current issue of "Sports Illustrated" that, during that 1999 season, she was routinely harassed by her teammates. And then she alleges that, in the summer of 2000, she was raped by one of her teammates. At the time, Hnida did not report the crime. She is currently a student at the University of New Mexico, when she played on the Lobos' football team last season. Today, she released a statement explaining why she's sharing her story now.
She said: "The recent allegations into the football program at the University of Colorado have caused me to come forward with the details of my own experiences at C.U. I did this because I hope no one else will have to deal with the horrors I've endured over the past few years. I felt that my information is pertinent to the investigation being conducted. I have been in contact with Boulder County law enforcement authorities, but I do not expect to file any charges at this time."
Just yesterday, the University of Colorado Board of Regents appointed a panel to investigate the previous allegations surrounding the football team that sex and alcohol were used as recruiting tools. To this point today, there's been no formal statement from the university. But we do expect to hear regarding the latest allegations from university President Betsy Hoffman at some point today, also, from football coach Gary Barnett.
He declined to comment through his office, but he did say in that "Sports Illustrated" article -- he was quoted as saying: I don't believe that she was sexually harassed. I don't believe that any of our players would do that -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: Josie Burke, it's definitely a story we will continue to follow. Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Forward>
