Wrestling coach C.D. Mock slams handling of sexual assault cases

While colleges across the country face scrutiny for their handling of sexual assault cases, UNC wrestling Coach C.D. Mock has caused a stir after posting his opinions about his son’s ongoing sexual assault investigation.

Corey Mock, who wrestled for UNC before he transferred to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga ahead of the 2013-14 season, was found guilty by UT-Chattanooga’s judicial system for sexual assault and was expelled from the university on Aug. 25, one week after he was originally found innoc

ent.

While at UNC, Corey Mock got into legal trouble. In 2012, he was arrested and charged with simple affray and resisting arrest.

His family filed an appeal, which allowed him to stay in school during the process. On Dec. 2, UT-Chattanooga’s chancellor upheld the decision to expel Corey Mock.

“The family has filed another appeal, and Corey will remain in school until an appeal decision,” said Chuck Cantrell, associate vice chancellor at UT-Chattanooga.

On Dec. 18, C.D. Mock followed the advice of the National Coalition for Men and made a blog, coreymock.net, on which he has shared his perspective of the investigation.

“The purpose of the blog was simply because I want people to know the other side of this story,” he said in an interview. “There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that my son is not guilty of sexual assault or rape.”

C.D. Mock has posted updates on the investigation along with articles involving similar cases around the country and his opinions on the current consent policy, which have outraged some readers.

“Mud has been slung. I have been called every name in the book. They’re copying the chancellor on things that I’ve written, and they’ve called for me to be fired,” he said.

"My son is being labeled a rapist. He’s being painted as a rapist by the other side. I want people to know that there is another side to this story.”

C.D. Mock has criticized UT-Chattanooga’s role in the investigation, arguing that the university violated his son’s constitutional rights.

“... Why is he being deemed guilty before he is proven guilty. It’s not constitutional, but that’s the way it works,” he said.

Rick White, UNC’s associate vice chancellor for communications and public affairs, said in a statement that the views expressed by C.D. Mock were not in line with the University’s.

“We respect the rights of all of our faculty, staff or students in exercising their First Amendment rights. However, their personal opinions do not reflect a University position, and it’s important that they are not mistaken for one,” he said.

“Mr. Mock is expressing his views as an individual and not in any official capacity on behalf of the University.”

Despite the backlash toward his views, C.D. Mock said he will continue to post in order to ensure no other family goes through what his family has.

“This has taken on a new meaning; it’s not just about my son anymore. The blog has become a voice for falsely accused individuals, and, frankly, there isn’t a lot of other resources out there,” he said.

“There’s not a lot of people I can go to and say, ‘What do I do?’

“We don’t have our act together as men at all; it’s a woman’s world,” he said.

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