By CHRIS HOBBS

HobbsDailyReport.com

HICKORY – An independent investigation into allegations of racism in the Lenoir-Rhyne University women’s basketball program found the allegations false, the school said Friday in a press release.

In a release provided by Cory Butzin, a marketing and communications specialist at LRU, the school said a two-month investigation by Charlotte-based Parker Poe determined:

SMITH

— There is no evidence the current women’s basketball coaching staff promotes or facilitates a culture of racial insensitivity.

— LRU head coach Grahm Smith’s communications and decisions relating to non-returning women’s basketball players were motivated by legitimate reasons unrelated to race or social justice.

— Smith’s decision to dismiss Laney Fox from the women’s basketball team was based on a loss of trust and what he perceived to be her lack of commitment and buy-in to the women’s basketball program.

Fox, who lives in Florida, was not immediately available for comment on Friday. In earlier interviews with HobbsDailyReport.com, she indicated she plans to transfer to another to be determined women’s basketball program.

The release indicated a full investigation report won’t be released, based on strict confidentially requirements of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

The lead investigators for Parker Roe were Stacy Wood and Shalanna Pirtle. They worked hundreds of hours on the investigation, the press release said, and did 25 interviews with current and former women’s basketball players, men’s and women’s basketball coaches at LRU, and trainers and administrators.

The investigation included a comprehensive review of all public statements and available documentation.

Fox, who said she was dropped from the women’s basketball team after bringing her concerns about racial matters to the coaching staff and administrators, declined to be interviewed, the press release said.

Some other non-returning women’s basketball players also declined to be interviewed, the press release said.

Investigators reviewed extensive evidence, the press release said. That included transcripts from tape-recorded conversations, social media posts, text messages, videos, letters, e-mails and other available information.

LRU has hired Avery Staley to fill a new position, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and, the press release said, President Fred Whitt is committed to working together and diligently to ensure LRU is a place that students, faculty and staff feel welcome and accepted.

LRU’S COMPLETE PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: July 2, 2021
CONTACT:
Cory Butzin, Marketing & Communications Specialist
828.328.7500, cory.butzin@lr.edu
Doug Minor, Associate Vice President for Digital Strategy
828.328.7109, doug.minor@lr.edu

PRESS KIT: Photo, Findings Letter from Investigators (PDF)

Findings Released from Investigation of Lenoir-Rhyne University Women’s Basketball Program

HICKORY, N.C. – Independent investigators from Parker Poe law firm in Charlotte specializing in complex investigations released their findings this week after a two-month-long investigation into allegations of racism in the Lenoir-Rhyne women’s basketball program.

Led by partners Stacy Wood and Shalanna Pirtle of Parker Poe, the thorough investigation included hundreds of hours of work, 25 interviews with current and former women’s basketball players, members of the men’s and women’s basketball coaching staff, trainers and administrators, as well as a comprehensive review of all public statements and available documentation related to the matter.

The investigators’ full report is bound by the strict confidentiality requirements of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and cannot be released. The attached letter from Parker Poe summarizes the independent investigators’ findings. The summary of the findings concluded:

Based on the interviews conducted and materials reviewed during the investigation, Parker Poe concluded there is no evidence that the current women’s basketball coaching staff promotes or facilitates a culture of racial insensitivity;
Coach Grahm Smith’s communications and decisions relating to non-returning women’s basketball players were motivated by legitimate reasons unrelated to race or social justice issues; and
Coach Grahm Smith’s decision to dismiss Laney Fox from the women’s basketball team was based on a loss of trust and what he perceived to be her lack of commitment and buy-in to the women’s basketball program.

While Ms. Fox and some non-returning women’s basketball players declined multiple opportunities to be interviewed, the investigators carefully reviewed extensive evidence including transcripts from tape-recorded conversations, social media posts, text messages, videos, letters, emails and other available information relating to the concerns of the claimants.

Lenoir-Rhyne continues to implement initiatives to prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion on the campus. Most recently, the university announced the creation of a new elevated role of Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the hiring of Avery Staley to fill this important role. President Whitt has indicated the university is committed to working together and diligently to ensure Lenoir-Rhyne is a place that our students, faculty and staff feel welcome and accepted.

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About Lenoir-Rhyne University:
Founded in 1891, Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private liberal arts institution with more than 50 undergraduate degree programs and nearly 30 graduate degree programs. LR enrolls nearly 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students. LR’s main campus is in Hickory, North Carolina, where both undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered. The university also offers graduate degree programs on its campuses in Asheville, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina. The Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary is also in Columbia. LR is affiliated with the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and welcomes students from all religious backgrounds. The website is www.lr.edu.