April 8, 2019

Page 1

The Chronicle

See Inside Boonchant shines at Augusta National Page 7

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T D A I LY AT D U K E U N I V E R S I T Y

MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019

DUKECHRONICLE.COM

ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEENTH YEAR, ISSUE 51

Duke Athletics says it’s ‘looking into’ University recommends claims Nike paid Zion Williamson’s mother closing Delta Sigma Phi By Ben Leonard

Managing Editor

By Likhitha Butchireddygari Investigations Editor

The University has moved for closure of its Delta Sigma Phi chapter, according to a recent email from Phil Rodriguez, executive director of Delta Sigma Phi’s national organization. Last week, Rodriguez wrote in an email to alumni of the Duke chapter that this decision was due to “risk management incidents,” but did not specify what those incidents were. Rodriguez wrote in the email that DSig plans to appeal this decision at an upcoming hearing. “Reoccurring risk management incidents over the past 12 months led to the University stating they could no longer recommend the chapter in operation,” he wrote. According to the Housing and Residence Life website, the group is not listed as a house for the upcoming academic year. In the email, Rodriguez added that Duke began to work with the Delta Sigma Phi chapter and the national organization on an “advancement plan,” which included better risk management practices and training. However, after an “incident” in the Fall semester and this Spring, “the University felt they had no additional choice but to recommend closure.” When initially asked why the fraternity did not have housing, Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs, declined to answer. When later asked what the “risk management incidents” were and to confirm that Duke was recommending closure, Moneta declined to comment. Junior Brendan Quinlan, president of the chapter, did not respond to requests for comment. Rodriguez added in an email to The Chronicle that the national organization is committed to its chapters. “When incidents occur, our number one priority is ensuring the safety of our brothers and working to mitigate any future issues by partnering with our alumni and university leaders,” he wrote in the email to The Chronicle. “Both our chapter leaders and the national organization are eager to share our vision on how we can work together to move our chapter forward with its nearly 100 year history at Duke.” Ben Leonard contributed reporting.

Michael Avenatti, a prominent lawyer whom federal prosecutors in New York have accused of attempting to extort Nike, alleged in a tweet Friday night that Zion Williamson’s mother was paid for bogus “consulting services” to get Williamson to Duke. Avenatti’s tweet April 5, “About this denial by Coach K the other day relating to payments by Nike...Can you please ask Zion Williamson’s mother - Sharonda Sampson - whether she was paid by @nike for bogus ‘consulting services’ in 2016/17 as part of a Nike bribe to get Zion to go to Duke? Thx.” In a subsequent tweet, Avenatti directed his comments at the official Duke men’s basketball account, asking Duke’s “close friends at [Nike] to check their Nike Vendor Portal for payments to ‘Sharonda Sampson Consulting.’ Just search 2016 to the present. Appreciate it.” Kevin White, Duke’s director of athletics, wrote that the University is investigating the allegation like it would any compliance matter. “We are aware of the allegation and, as we would with any compliance matter, are looking into it. Duke is fully committed to compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations,” White wrote in a statement to The Chronicle. “Every student athlete at Duke is reviewed to ensure their eligibility. With regard to men’s basketball: all recruits and their families are thoroughly vetted by Duke in collaboration with the NCAA

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Henry Haggart | Sports Photography Editor Lawyer Michael Avenatti has accused Nike on Twitter of paying Zion Williamson’s mother so he would go to Duke.

through the Eligibility Center’s amateurism certification process.” The Chronicle has left a voicemail and sent a text message to a number listed for Sampson, and has reached out over Facebook to a profile appearing to be Sampson in a message for comment, but did not receive a response in time for publication. Nike didn’t address specifics in a statement provided to Yahoo! Sports. “Nike firmly believes in ethical and fair play, both in business and sports and won’t be commenting further beyond our statement,” the statement read. Williamson is the presumptive No. 1 overall

pick in this year’s NBA draft after enjoying a monster freshman season for Duke. After averaging nearly 23 points and nine rebounds per game, the 6-foot-7, 285 pound forward was nearly unanimously named the Associated Press Player of the Year Friday. Nike has sponsored Duke Athletics since 1992 and recently signed an extension through 2027. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who has been a “Nike Coach” since the 199394 season, has a building on Nike’s campus named after him. Friday night’s tweet wasn’t the first time Avenatti mentioned Duke in the context of See AVENATTI on Page 12

Why is the Duke Chapel yellow at night? By Carter Forinash Staff Reporter

Red Chapel, blue Chapel, old Chapel, new Chapel. After a recent overhaul of its lighting system, the Duke Chapel can now change colors—and cut energy costs. As part of a campus-wide initiative to refit buildings with up-to-date lighting systems, the Duke Chapel is now outfitted with LED lights. The new lights, installed over the past two months, will improve energy efficiency and can illuminate the Chapel in a range of colors. However, while the new lights can change color if necessary, they were installed only as an energy-saving measure and will remain white for the time being, James Todd, Duke Chapel communications manager, wrote to The Chronicle. Though the new lights are meant to shine colorless light the majority of the time, the new bulbs bring a yellow hue to the Chapel on most nights now. The LED bulbs replaced outdated metal-halide bulbs that have illuminated the

Juan Bermudez | Sports Photography Editor As part of a energy-effient initiative, the lights illuminating the Chapel have been replaced.

Chapel for decades. The LED lights will use around twothirds of the energy of the old Chapel bulbs, Todd wrote. The LED lights also have a life expectancy of 50,000 hours, or nearly six years, more than triple the 15,000-hour life expectancy of the old bulbs.

FDA approves new postpartum depression drug

Zion sweeps national player awards

Duke researchers discuss the stigma associated with the condition and the effects of the new drug. PAGE 3

Zion Williamson handily Naismith Player of the Year.

INSIDE — News 2 | Sports 4 | Crossword 9 | Opinion 10 | Serving the University since 1905 |

wins

According to Todd, the new lights are part of a broader Duke Facilities Management effort to transition to LED lighting in existing buildings across campus. Although new buildings on campus have been built with LED See CHAPEL on Page 12

It’s called ‘pop.’ Change my mind. AP

and PAGE 7

Columnist Luke Sallmen dares you to tell him that the fizzy drink is called soda. PAGE 10

@dukechronicle @dukebasketball |

@thedukechronicle | © 2019 The Chronicle


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
April 8, 2019 by Duke Chronicle - Issuu