Allegations surface of drug abuse by University of Minnesota wrestlers

May 25, 2016 at 2:36PM
Gophers wrestling coach J Robinson.
The actions of longtime University of Minnesota wrestling coach J Robinson are being investigated as part of the allegations, according to the Ch. 9 news report. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Allegations arose Tuesday of a police investigation into drug abuse by University of Minnesota wrestling team members, but U officials declined to comment on the specifics.

Four athletes are under investigation for dealing the prescription drug, Xanax, and 10 others are suspected of using the anti-anxiety medication recreationally, according to a Fox 9 report.

The actions of longtime wrestling coach, J Robinson, are also under the microscope for how he dealt with players who, according to Fox 9, admitted to using narcotics this spring. Robinson remains an active employee of the university, said spokesman Evan Lapiska. Robinson could not be reached Tuesday evening.

Any information on student discipline would be private data, Lapiska said.

"The University takes allegations of this nature seriously, and upon receiving information the University provided it to UMPD," Lapiska wrote in a statement. "In consultation with UMPD, the University is allowing for the legal investigation to conclude before conducting its own internal investigation. As it remains part of an active investigation, we do not have anything additional to share at this time."

Incoming athletic director Mark Coyle has been made aware of the situation.

Liz Sawyer • 612-673-4648

about the writer

about the writer

Liz Sawyer

Reporter

Liz Sawyer  covers Minneapolis crime and policing at the Star Tribune. Since joining the newspaper in 2014, she has reported extensively on Minnesota law enforcement, state prisons and the youth justice system. 

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