The University of Minnesota is launching an investigation into claims of sexual abuse against a former men’s hockey assistant coach that allegedly took place more than 30 years ago.
Gophers athletic director Mark Coyle sent letters to members of the 1984-85 hockey team in the wake of a story published in The Athletic detailing allegations against Thomas “Chico” Adrahtas, who left the program after just one year.
According to the Associated Press, Adrahtas’ departure came in the wake of several people reporting sexual abuse allegations to the school’s then-athletic director. The Athletic’s report relies on multiple players, none of whom were identified in the story, who said that Adrahtas would make offers to the players to find a woman to perform oral sex on them. The players said they later came to believe it was Adrahtas himself engaging in the sex act.
In a statement, the University said that it had retained the Seattle-based law firm Perkins Coie to conduct its investigation. Perkins Coie led the investigation into former Ohio State University team doctor Richard Strauss, who was found to have sexually abused at least 177 male students during his tenure.
The AP reports that Adrahtas had been an amateur coach in the Chicago area, and coached in the North American Hockey League and also for the Illinois-based Robert Morris University.
Adrahtas is currently suspended from coaching any USA Hockey-sanctioned team, as he became the subject of a SafeSport investigation in fall of 2018. SafeSport investigates reports of sexual abuse and misconduct within the national sport governing bodies under the USOC. The investigation was opened after one of Adrahtas’ former junior hockey players sent a letter detailing sexual abuse exploitation that took place over the course of 20 months.
Several members of the 1984-85 hockey team have reportedly participated in that investigation, which remains ongoing.
Adrahtas’ lawyer told The Athletic that “Mr. Adrahtas categorically and unequivocally denies the allegations that have been presented.”
