The Kentucky Wildcats, who won 24 national cheerleading titles in the last three decades, revealed it was firing its entire coaching staff on Monday following hazing and nudity probe. The move comes after the students on the team were found to be involved in hazing rituals and public nudity.

A three-month investigation into the university's program revealed te coaches failed to oversee the squad members' off-campus events. The squad's head coach, Jomo Thompson, as well as assistants Ben HEad, Spencer Clan, and Kelsey LaCroix were let go.

The university's deputy general counsel T. Lynn Williamson was also named in the report, citing he had poor judgement and lax oversight. He resigned after learning of the probe. Williamson is banned from contacting any member of the squad.

The internal investigation focused on the squad's 2019 retreat at Lake Cumberland and a cheerleading camp in Tennessee. The camp's activities reportedly included several cheerleaders performing gymnastics routines while topless or bottomless. The members hurled other teammates into the lake within the view of the coaches.

Some members also required medical treatment for inebriation. The coaches allegedly allowed the alumni to bring alcoholic beverages to the camp. Several members were encouraged to perform lewd chants and wear their outfits without underwear.

The investigation found no cases of sexual assault or sexual misconduct during the trip despite allegations that some team members were touched without their consent. The university also could not corroborate reports that the male team members compared the sizes of their genitalia, and that members engaged in oral sex against their will.

The review was prompted by a parent's complaint in early February and included interviews with over 60 members of the cheerleading squad.

According to the University of Kentucky's Provost David W. Blackwell, the review found:

  • The coaches knew the cheerleaders' inappropriate conduct but failed to address the issues;

  • During a team retreat, the cheerleaders performed routines that included hurling their teammates into the water while topless or bottomless. The act, specifically the "basket tosses," was reportedly done in full view of other squad members and some of the coaches;

  • The coaches failed to stop the alumni from bringing boats and alcoholic drinks to the retreat. Some cheerleaders were partially naked, while others drank and rode on the boats;

  • No alcoholic beverage was confiscated. The coaches also did not stop the students from consuming alcohol, leading some to require medical attention after becoming intoxicated;

  • At a Tennessee cheerleading camp, members instructed other cheerleaders to perform inappropriate chants and wear outfits without underwear.

Members of the university's cheerleading team defended the program, claiming the news tarnished the image of the squad. Riley Aguilar, a Wildcats cheerleader, said the team was "the epitome of professionalism" and the report "greatly affected her and her teammates."

Allie Law, a fellow cheerleader, said the hazing allegations were "completely false" and claimed the cheer team was "being painted by an unfair brush." She also claims only one person's voice was heard and urged others not to "give in to lies that went too far."

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