Norman, OK (SportsNetwork.com) - The University of Oklahoma said Monday it has decided to suspend Sooners linebacker Frank Shannon for one year following an internal disciplinary process that began after a newspaper reported in April that Shannon was accused of sexually assaulting a female student.
Shannon, the team's leading tackler last season, wasn't prosecuted over the alleged January incident detailed in a Title IX sexual misconduct allegation report obtained by The Oklahoman.
In a statement, Oklahoma president David Boren said the university completed its investigation on June 18 but is "unable to enforce its process at this time."
"The final decision of the internal disciplinary process was suspension of the student for one year," Boren's statement said. "Federal privacy law and other legal considerations prohibit me from discussing the case further.
"The university is unable to enforce its process at this time. The university has and is taking every legal step possible to move this process forward. The university is currently seeking to enforce its decision so that it may be in compliance with federal law requiring responses by institutions to such matters in a timely manner. With the fall semester beginning Aug. 18, time is of the essence."
Shannon collected 92 tackles, two sacks and one interception in 13 games last season as a redshirt sophomore. He has 132 tackles and four sacks in 25 games for the Sooners.
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