Victim hires noted attorney

Clune represents others accusing sports figures.

The family of the woman who was sexually assaulted by former Baylor defensive end Sam Ukwuachu has hired attorney John Clune.

Clune, of Boulder, Colo., also represents the woman who accused Heisman winner Jameis Winston of rape. And he represented a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by three Oregon basketball players.

Prosecutors declined to file charges in the Oregon case. But the woman, after filing a civil suit against Oregon, this month received an outof-court settlement for $800,000 plus the cost of her education. Oregon denied wrongdoing.

In a statement to The Dallas Morning News, Clune said: “We are glad to see that President (Ken) Starr and Baylor have chosen to conduct their own investigation and look forward to learning the outcome of that process. Regardless of what facts these investigations may bare, there is a significant teachable moment here for all in higher education and we are hopeful that Baylor University embraces that great opportunity.”

Also Friday, Baylor announced it’s creating an athletic department position to oversee all student-athlete behavior and report directly to Starr.

“Baylor University is committed to maintaining the highest degree of campus safety to protect the welfare of all our students,” Starr said in a statement. “This is central to Baylor’s mission as a Christian university and at the heart of our commitment to our students, faculty and staff. We must have zero tolerance for sexual violence on our athletic teams and our campus.”

On Aug. 21, Ukwuachu was sentenced to 180 days in county jail and 10 years of probation for assaulting the Baylor student in October 2013. He had transferred to the university from Boise State in May 2013.

Baylor coach Art Briles has not spoken to the media since Aug. 21. The Bears canceled a media availability set for Tuesday. The fourth-ranked Bears open their season Friday at SMU.

Ukwuachu never played for Baylor. As required by NCAA transfer rules, he sat out the 2013 season. He was suspended after the assault allegations but was allowed to stay in school.

The victim transferred. A Baylor dean investigated the case and said she did not find enough evidence to pursue criminal charges. Ukwuachu was indicted for sexual assault in June 2014.

After Ukwuachu’s sentencing, Starr announced that the school would conduct another investigation into how the school handled the case.