University of Tennessee at Chattanooga officials are investigating an alleged incident of physical assault by volleyball associate head coach James Onikeku against a player.
UTC vice chancellor Chuck Cantrell said a player filed an incident report of an event that occurred on the team bus during the Lady Mocs’ road trip to Appalachian State and Western Carolina last weekend.
“The investigation is going to continue, and I’m sure that they hope it is wrapped up soon,” Cantrell said. “I’m sure our personnel office, athletics director Rick Hart and perhaps our campus police are involved in the investigation.”
Cantrell said Onikeku took a voluntary leave this past week from volleyball practices and the season finale Saturday night.
“He voluntarily said, ‘I won’t go to the games and I won’t go to practice until this is over,'” Cantrell said. “At this point, it’s not a criminal charge.”