Conrad Mainwaring, a former Olympic athlete and a graduate student at Syracuse University in the 1980s, has been accused of molesting at least seven SU students during his time on campus, according to an ESPN article released Thursday.

In a university-wide email, Chancellor Kent Syverud said SU learned of an allegation against Mainwaring from the 1980s in February 2019 and immediately contacted law enforcement — including in Los Angeles, where Mainwaring was arrested in June based on a sexual misconduct charge in California from 2016.

Syverud said the university also hired an external law firm to conduct a review of the allegation. No charges have been filed in Syracuse against Mainwaring.

Mainwaring, a former Olympic hurdler, also worked in Residence Life while he was a graduate student, Syverud said. He completed a master’s degree in guidance and counseling at SU, and began a doctorate, but didn’t complete it, ESPN reported.

In total, 14 individuals in the Syracuse area have accused of Mainwaring sexually abused them. Along with the seven SU students who said they were molested by Mainwaring in their dorms, at least seven local high school students also claimed they were abused during his time in Syracuse. He kept office hours as a counselor at Nottingham High School, about two miles from SU, where he met and allegedly abused minors, ESPN reported. The article added Syracuse City School District officials found no records of him being a staff member at the high school.

After his five years in Syracuse, Mainwaring worked 40 miles away at Colgate University from 1985 to 1987 in the admissions office, per an ESPN “Outside the Lines” report.

Alumni and other members of the SU community also received Syverud’s email addressing the claims. 

“I am grateful to the individuals who have come forward to date, and strongly encourage anyone else with relevant information to contact us,” Syverud said in his email. “Syracuse University remains committed to fostering a safe environment free of sexual harassment and sexual violence.”

Published on August 1, 2019 at 1:02 pm

Contact Catherine: ccleffer@syr.edu | @ccleffert