Authorities say a basketball player was accused of rape and a football player of attempted rape. A third athlete, a basketball player, was identified as being an accessory to the attack.
Basketball players Steve Thomas and Tony Cole and football player Brandon Williams were suspended indefinitely Wednesday.
``We're still working on it, and we expect to complete it'' Friday, said Asa Boynton, the school's director of public safety. ``We want to get it to him by the first of next week.''
Although the school has updated District Attorney Ken Mauldin periodically about the investigation, he has not heard any facts.
``We haven't really talked about the specifics of the case,'' said Mauldin, district attorney for the Western Judicial Circuit of Georgia. ``They have just been letting us know that it's ongoing.''
Boynton said the alleged rape occurred in a room at McWhorter Hall between 9:30 and 10 p.m. Monday. The dormitory houses many of the school's football and basketball players.
Authorities have not identified the athletes involved.
Thomas, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, was averaging 8.2 points and 6.5 rebounds. Cole, a 5-11 junior, was averaging 5.6 points and 2.3 assists. They missed the Bulldogs' 77-72 loss to Alabama on Wednesday night, and did not travel with the team to Florida for Saturday's game.
Basketball coach Jim Harrick and football coach Mark Richt made the decision to suspend the players, even though no charges have been filed. Athletic director Vince Dooley said any player charged with a felony would be kicked off his team.
The players also must be cleared by a Summary Judiciary Committee, which includes two students and one faculty member.
``From my standpoint, there is a sense of urgency,'' Harrick said. ``I don't know if there is for anyone else. There is a lot at stake for a lot of people - 250,000 alumni, 10,000 people at every game and their teammates.''
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/1/199941