The Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education is investigating a Title IX sexual harassment complaint filed by a former Syracuse University women's basketball player against women's coach Quentin Hillsman.
In her complaint, Lynnae Lampkins accuses Hillsman of inappropriate texting and touching and says she left the team because she felt uncomfortable. Lampkins alleges that one text sent during the summer said: ''I love you, I miss you, I can't wait to see you.''
In a statement released by the university, Hillsman called the allegations ''untrue and hurtful to me and my family.'' He said he utilizes text messaging to communicate with players and staff and the text in question was sent to multiple players and ''reflects my sentiments about the team, not a specific player.''
Kevin Quinn, senior vice president for public affairs at Syracuse, said the complaint was made last summer and the school had outside counsel conduct an investigation that concluded ''there was no substance to the allegations.''
USA Today first reported the investigation.
Quinn says Chancellor Nancy Cantor and director of athletics Daryl Gross support Hillsman, who signed a five-year contract in 2008.
