Reggie Lynch Faces Suspension from Minnesota for Sexual Misconduct Violation

Minnesota Golden Gophers senior center Reggie Lynch is reportedly facing a suspension from the school and basketball team that would last until August 2020 due to a violation of the university's sexual misconduct policy.

John Shipley of the Pioneer Press reported the news Thursday, noting Minnesota's Office for Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action recommended the penalty following an investigation regarding an incident from the spring of 2016.

According to Shipley, the punishment will start Jan. 9 if Lynch doesn't appeal it.

This isn't the first time Lynch was investigated.

Shipley noted the center was arrested on suspicion of rape for a separate incident in 2016, although "the EOAA investigation found it more likely than not that Lynch reasonably believed the sex was consensual" and cleared him. He also wasn't formally charged but was suspended from the basketball team until he was officially cleared.

This potential suspension until 2020 stems from the second EOAA investigation for a different incident. He wasn't suspended during the course of the investigation like the first one because the police were not conducting their own investigation.

Lynch started his collegiate career at Illinois State but transferred to Minnesota after two seasons. He was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year last season.