Following myriad reports of misconduct from former Utah swimming and diving coach Greg Winslow, and the following inaction by the athletic department, university president David Pershing has announced an outside investigation into the practices of the swimming team during Winslow’s tenure.

Formal complaints against Winslow alleging verbal and physical abuse of swimmers acquired by The Chronicle date back as far as 2009. The university suspended Winslow and announced it wouldn’t renew his contract in early March following allegations of sexual abuse.

“This past week, public reports of alleged misconduct by a former swim coach and of the University of Utah’s response to those allegations, have called into question the university’s processes and our commitment to our student-athletes,” Pershing said in a statement. “Though I cannot comment on specific allegations, I can state unequivocally that any conduct by a staff member or student that jeopardizes the safety and well-being of any student, will not be tolerated.”

In the statement, Pershing said athletics director Chris Hill asked him to commission the study. Hill is under fire from former swimmers and their families for not putting an end to Winslow’s tenure sooner. The allegations against Winslow include sexual abuse of a former swimmer when she was 15 years old, verbally abusing players, taping a PVC pipe to a black swimmer’s back and hands before forcing him to swim underwater sprints, resulting in the swimmer passing out.

Attorneys Michael Glazier and Alan Sullivan will lead the investigation into the swim team. Glazier, a partner in Kansas City firm Bond, Schoeneck and King, has experience in athletic program investigations. Alan Sullivan works with Salt Lake City firm Snell and Wilmer.

“Specifically, I have charged Mr. Glazier and Mr. Sullivan to determine what, if any, incidents occurred within the swimming program; when did those incidents take place; what information was conveyed to the University about these incidents; what, if any, actions were taken in response; and what recommendations, if implemented, would better ensure the safety and well-being of our student athletes at the university,” Pershing said.

This will be the second investigation looking at the swimming program. The first, conducted by the university’s Office of Equal Opportunity, concluded in January and recommended no disciplinary action.

Hill, who was made aware of Winslow’s conduct no later than 2009, also released a statement.

“As an educator, administrator and father, I have been a lifelong advocate for student-athletes and have worked hard to ensure their success, safety and well-being,” Hill said in the statement. “The breadth and depth of these allegations are deeply distressing. If I or any member of our department inadequately addressed any allegation or failed in any of our duties, then we will immediately take appropriate actions and enact measures to further protect our student-athletes moving forward.”