Norwood Teague is out as athletics director at the University of Minnesota.
The university confirmed the departure in a tweet and U of M President Eric Kaler further confirmed the news during an afternoon news conference.
Pres. Kaler has accepted the resignation of Gopher AD Norwood Teague, effective immediately. More info to follow this afternoon.
— University of Minnesota (@UMNews) August 7, 2015
Gopher Hole obtained a copy of an email from Kaler, which says Teague’s resignation is related to a pair of sexual harassment incidents involving University employees.
It reads in part:
“Norwood’s resignation follows the report of two recent incidents of sexual harassment of two non-student University employees. …
To be clear, sexual harassment will not be tolerated at the University of Minnesota and I sincerely regret that our employees experienced this behavior. The University has an explicit policy and a strong code of conduct that articulates our standards.”
Teague
Just spoke with @GoldenGopherAD Norwood Teague: "I had too much to drink and sent inappropriate texts.." pic.twitter.com/scKHJiqkud
— janashortal (@janashortal) August 7, 2015
” target=”_blank”>confirmed the news to KARE 11’s Jana Shortal, and said he had “too much to drink” and sent “inappropriate texts.”
‘Lewd and disgusting’ texts
Kaler declined to provide details about Teague’s text messages or any information relating to the night the incidents occurred, but documents released by the U of M revealed graphic messages reportedly sent by Teague.
Victim says Teague’s texts were “lewd and disgusting.” Victim feared Teague would follow her home so asked friend to accompany her.
— Aj Mansour (@AjKFAN) August 7, 2015
Just was given a hard copy of the texts sent by Norwood Teague. Absolutely horrific.
— janashortal (@janashortal) August 7, 2015
U of Minn distributed copies of Teague's harassing texts. Direct, sexual and graphic. Too ugly to repeat in public forum.
— Patrick Borzi (@BorzMN) August 7, 2015
One of the tamer pages of Teague's text back and forth with one of the women (Teague on the left): pic.twitter.com/3jRUJ0xUEV
— RandBall (@RandBall) August 7, 2015
KFAN’s A.J. Mansour reports the documents show Teague messaged a victim asking her if she wanted to be “scandalous” and cheat on her husband. Mansour adds that both victims “sought out others to accompany them on their way home fearing that Teague would follow them home.”
National search for new AD
Kaler’s letter also says Beth Goetz, deputy athletics director and senior woman administrator, has agreed to step in as interim athletics director. The university will conduct a national search for its next AD.
Teague was hired by the U of M in May of 2012. Prior to that he served the same position at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was instrumental in bringing the VCU men’s basketball team to national prominence.
The Star Tribune notes his track record is filled with fundraising successes. The U of M is currently fundraising to build a new athletics complex, and recent word from football coach Jerry Kill is that they’re hoping to break ground this fall.
