Syracuse coach John Desko addressed the media via Zoom on Wednesday during his weekly press conference, during which he offered a brief statement on the unfolding situation concerning Chase Scanlan.
The situation took a turn earlier Wednesday when Syracuse.com reported that Scanlan was “involved in what police labeled a domestic incident a day before he was suspended by the team, according to law enforcement sources and people familiar with the case.” The report indicates that Scanlan was not charged with a crime.
Here is the full statement, which Desko read at the start of the press conference:
“I want to address reports that have occurred in the media about Chase Scanlan. As you are all aware, federal law prohibits the university from discussing specific issues relating to a student’s experience or record at the university. What we can tell you is limited to information related to a student-athlete’s game status. Chase was suspended from the team 10 days ago for violating team rules and expectations. On Monday, April 26, I reinstated him. He will not be traveling with the team this weekend. I can’t and won’t offer any further comment.”
Desko said that although Scanlan will not travel to South Bend ahead of the matchup with Notre Dame, he is practicing with the team — a comment that was later clarified by Syracuse Sports Information Director Tyler Cady, who said that Scanlan practiced "independently with a member of the coaching staff."
Desko offered no further comment on a variety of questions concerning what unfolded with Scanlan and how the suspension and reinstatement transpired, citing the same federal laws on student privacy.
Initial reports from John Johnson II of Spectrum News CNY on Tuesday indicated this his teammates would walk out of practice if Scanlan were there.
PREVIOUS UPDATE
April 28, 1:11 p.m. Eastern
Syracuse.com reports that Chase Scanlan was “involved in what police labeled a domestic incident a day before he was suspended by the team, according to law enforcement sources and people familiar with the case.”
The report indicates that Scanlan was not charged with a crime.
On April 17 at 11:34 p.m., the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety crime logs an incident on Syracuse’s South Campus that involved Scanlan. He was suspended from the team shortly thereafter but reinstated one week later. The domestic case is still listed as open, Syracuse.com reports.
Yesterday, John Johnson II of Spectrum News CNY reported that players planned a walk-out of practice if Scanlan returned to the field. (See below for more from that update.)
It is unclear what the next steps will be, but Syracuse head coach John Desko is scheduled for a virtual press conference with media at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday.
PREVIOUS UPDATE
April 27, 4:30 p.m. Eastern
There has been another update to the Chase Scanlan situation at Syracuse, one that gets murkier by the day.
Steve Infanti, sports director at News Channel 9 covering Central New York, tweets that while Scanlan was reinstated on Monday after serving an indefinite suspension ultimately spanning one game, he did not practice on Tuesday. Even more, sources told Infanti that Syracuse players are asking for a meeting with Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack to discuss the situation.
John Johnson II of Spectrum News CNY was first to report that Syracuse players had plans to walk out of practice if Scanlan arrived.
“News Channel 9 had a crew at practice, which was held outside of the Ensley Center, but was politely asked to leave because practices are closed to the media,” News Channel 9’s story says.
US Lacrosse Magazine will continue to update this developing story.