The Triangle

Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: Sports

Mike Pressler, the former head coach of the Duke lacrosse team, spoke to Drexel students in Leadership in Sports and Society classes on Oct. 23.

Exactly 19 months and 10 days from the scandal that changed his life forever, current Bryant University Head Lacrosse Coach and ex-Duke Head Lacrosse Coach Mike Pressler came to speak to students in Professor Mike Kelly's Leadership in Sports and Society classes Oct. 23.

Pressler's former Duke lacrosse team made headlines in March 2006 when a stripper named Crystal Mangum accused three white members on Pressler's team of raping her at a party held in the house where three of the team's captains lived.

On Apr. 11, 2007, more than a year after the saga began, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper dropped the charges and the three players were declared innocent. This came after the previous Attorney General Mike Nifong had withdrawn from the case due to ethics charges that were filled against him.

Despite his players being eventually found innocent, Pressler was forced to resign as Duke's Head Lacrosse Coach just one month after the allegations had first been heard.

At Duke, Pressler compiled a record of 153-82, leading his team to three ACC championships and 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.

His team posted a 100 percent graduation rate during his tenure, however, due to a situation that was beyond his control, he was forced to resign from his coaching post due to immense pressure from the University.

Pressler was forced to spend a year of his life trying to defend his players, his program and his integrity all while receiving threats from various people.

At one time, the writing seemed all but on the wall; however, Pressler never gave up hope throughout the whole ordeal because he believed his players. He had since day one when they first told him that they were innocent.

"The only crime the students committed was stupid college behavior," Pressler said.

Pressler felt like people could take a lot from his experience.

"There's a lot of positive things [that came out from my experience]," Pressler said. "When you say you believe in someone you stand by them."

Pressler also touched on issues of leadership, credibility and ultimately vindication.

Continued...

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