What we know about the Reggie Lynch case

There were more questions than answers Friday as Reggie Lynch planned to appeal a University of Minnesota decision to suspend him from school until at least 2020. Athletic director Mark Coyle cited privacy laws and referred to general university "policies and procedures." Here's an attempt to clarify:

Q: What's the timeline of Lynch and the sexual assault allegations at the U of M?

A: There have been two allegations of sexual assault against Lynch at the U. The current case is the second to be made public. It involves an incident in Lynch's dorm room at Roy Wilkins Hall on April 28, 2016.

In May 2016, he was arrested in connection with an alleged sexual assault in a campus apartment. A 19-year-old woman alleged Lynch raped her that night, and Lynch was jailed and released two days later. The Gophers suspended Lynch but reinstated him after the Hennepin County attorney's office declined to press charges. The U's Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) office also investigated and cleared Lynch.

This current case, while it occurred first chronologically, came into public view this week when the latest EOAA investigation concluded with a recommendation of a university suspension for Lynch that would last until at least 2020.

Q: What do we know about the current case?

A: The EOAA began its investigation of Lynch for this current case in October, as the alleged victim had come forward about 18 months after the incident. The EOAA investigation concluded this week, and the school's initial finding was to ban Lynch from campus until at least August 2020.

A: Yes, and he plans to, a source told the Star Tribune on Friday. The appeal means Lynch will not be banned from campus while that process plays out.

Q: Can he play during the appeal process?

A: Coyle said Friday he suspended him from competition. Lynch can still practice with the team.

Q: How will the appeal work?

A: Lynch plans to appeal through the school's Student Sexual Misconduct Subcommittee (SSMS). The SSMS appoints a three-member panel with faculty, academic professional and student members to hear the case, usually within one month of the appeal. After the panel makes its ruling, the accuser or accused can appeal that decision to the university provost.

A: This EOAA investigation had no corresponding criminal investigation. "With our process that's in place, any student-athlete — if there's a criminal investigation taking place — that student-athlete does not participate," Coyle said. "Any student-athlete involved in an EOAA process can participate until findings are made against him or her."

Q: Should the Gophers have recruited Lynch in the first place?

A: "We didn't see any red flags," coach Richard Pitino said Friday when asked about Lynch's background while recruiting him as a transfer from Illinois State. Pitino said they did their background work on Lynch.

Q: If there was no police investigation, why is the university suspending him?

A: The university is required to investigate reports of sexual assault — whether or not police conduct an investigation — under federal guidelines that apply to schools that receive federal money.

According to the university's procedure for enforcing the student conduct code, students are entitled to a hearing and have the right of appeal.

Q: Is this the end of Lynch's playing career?

A: Impossible to say. If Lynch wins an appeal, he could be back with the team this season, if Coyle allows it. If Lynch is not successful in his appeal, it's hard to imagine him playing for the Gophers again. He's a senior. He is considered an NBA prospect but was not expected to be drafted. Between the NBA's G League and foreign leagues, there are plenty of places for a high-level college player to land under the NBA level.