San Diego State defends handling of gang-rape allegation inquiry, says school followed guidance from local police

raiza, In their first public comments since a civil lawsuit was filed last week accusing three then-San Diego State football players of gang raping a 17-year-old girl last year, athletic director John David Wicker and football coach Brady Hoke reemphasized the university's position that its response followed guidance from local police.

Speaking during a Monday news conference, Wicker defended the school administration's decision to obey the San Diego Police Department's request to delay a campus-led inquiry into the alleged gang rape until authorities finished their criminal investigation. The alleged assault happened last October at a Halloween party at an off-campus residence.

Both Wicker and Hoke read prepared statements that condemned the allegations — which surfaced in detail last Thursday as part of a lawsuit filed in San Diego County Superior Court — but initially refused to engage with follow-up questions from assembled media.

«This is an active investigation, it's ongoing. I will not be providing specific information about the case or the players,» Hoke said. «I want to reinforce that we have and continue to support the criminal investigation done by the San Diego Police Department and we also support the district attorney's review of the case. What was reported to have happened should never happen — ever.

»That shouldn't happen to anyone. And what has been important to us is that anyone who violates or violated the law or university policies, they be held accountable."

When questioning did not shift to the team's season opener against Arizona that will open SDSU's new Snapdragon Stadium, Wicker and Hoke left the room. Wicker returned alone after several minutes to field questions about the sexual assault case,