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Accused Duke lacrosse player lands at Chaminade

BY BART JONES | bart.jones@newsday.com

11:10 PM EDT, March 27, 2007

Collin Finnerty, former Duke lacrosse player and Chaminade alum, is now an assistant coach for the Chaminade lacrosse team. Finnerty was out practicing with the team before their game against Massapequa. (Newsdsay / Kathy Kmonicek / March 27, 2007)

Collin Finnerty, one of three former lacrosse players accused in the Duke University sex assault case, has a new part-time endeavor -- he's an assistant coach of the Chaminade High School varsity lacrosse team.

Finnerty started the volunteer job at his alma mater a few weeks ago after receiving an invitation from the head coach, said his father, Kevin Finnerty. The season officially began Tuesday with a win.

"Quite honestly, he enjoys it," said Kevin Finnerty, of Garden City. "He's definitely connected to the school. I think the kids look up to him."

Chaminade coach Jack Moran did not return calls seeking comment.

Last April, Moran described Collin Finnerty as a good student and player.

"He was never in any trouble here," Moran said. "He was a good teammate, a fit-in kind of player."

Finnerty, a 2004 Chaminade graduate, left Duke last year after he was accused in the alleged sex assault of an exotic dancer. He started attending Hofstra University and is awaiting a final decision on the case's outcome before he decides on returning to the university.

The case has been riddled with controversy. Durham, N.C., District Attorney Mike Nifong stepped down from the case in January amid allegations of ethics violations and asked the state attorney general's office to take over the investigation. If convicted, Nifong could be disbarred.

Finnerty and two other Duke players originally were indicted on charges of rape, sexual offense and kidnapping, but Nifong dropped the rape charges in December after the accuser said she was no longer certain intercourse had occurred.

The players have maintained their innocence.