Earlier this week it was reported that former Vanderbilt University football player and alleged rapist JaBorian “Tip” McKenzie had started playing for his new school, Alcorn State College. But late Thursday night, University President Dr. M. Christopher Brown II released a statement clarifying that, at least for now, McKenzie will no longer be on the team.
According to WJTV, Brown said:
“Alcorn failed to sufficiently examine the allegations against McKenzie before allowing him to participate in our football program. In an effort to provide educational opportunities to a Southwest Mississippi student, Alcorn State University made an error in judgment.”
…
“Participation in Alcorn State University intercollegiate athletics is a privilege and not a right. Intercollegiate athletics is an extracurricular forum for student engagement intended to provide an outlet for maturation, growth, and development. And McKenzie has been notified that the privilege to play has been withdrawn.”
Alcorn is taking this oversight seriously; they’ve reviewing all athletic policies and Brown has apparently asked for a criminal history report for the entire local community.
McKenzie is one of four players accused of raping an unconscious female sudent at a campus dormitory in June during their time at Vanderbilt; a fifth, Chris Boyd, has been charged with being an accessory to the crime. All were all suspended from the college in July.
“Tip” McKenzie Removed From Alcorn Football Team [WJTV] via BuzzFeed
Images via Mark Humphrey/AP and Metropolitan Nashville Police Department