San Diego State coach, athletic director leave press conference after questions about gang-rape allegations

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San Diego State University athletic director John David Wicker and head football coach Brady Hoke abruptly left a news conference on Monday after refusing to answer questions from reporters about gang-rape allegations involving former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza and two of his former teammates. 

The press conference began with Hoke and Wicker both giving prepared statements following a lawsuit that alleged that Araiza, Zavier Leonard and Nowlin Ewaliko repeatedly raped a 17-year-old high school student at an off-campus party back in October 2021. 

Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza waves to fans after a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Orchard Park, N.Y., Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022.  (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)

"Foremost, the university’s investigation is active, so there is very little I can share. I can confirm that [Nowlin] Ewaliko and Zavier Leonard are not currently members of the team, but I can not provide more specifics and will not be answering questions related to either of those players or Matt Araiza," Wicker opened by saying.

LAWYER FOR ALLEGED VICTIM IN GANG-RAPE LAWSUIT AGAINST EX-BILLS PUNTER RIPS TEAMS FOLLOWING PLAYERS' RELEASE

"To be absolutely clear: We take allegations of sexual assault seriously, and do not support any actions or behaviors that cause harm to others. As husbands and fathers, Coach Hoke and I fundamentally agree on this: Under no circumstance would we ever support an environment that supports abusive behavior."

Hoke echoed those comments, saying he would not provide further comment, citing an "active" and "ongoing" investigation. 

"What was reported to have happened should