MEMPHIS, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The Amateur Athletic Union says it is investigating allegations the former president and CEO of the Memphis organization molested two players in the 1980s.
ESPN said the internal investigation was launched and Memphis police were contacted after the network brought out the two ex-players' allegations against Robert Dodd.
The allegations are the latest charges of sexual abuse leveled against current or former coaches in the United States. Syracuse basketball assistant Bernie Fine was fired as a result, and a huge scandal at Penn State led to the dismissal of football icon Joe Paterno and the arrest of former assistant Jerry Sandusky.
Dodd, 63, has been the head of the AAU since 1992. He was accused of inappropriate touching and exposing himself to the youths as well as supplying minors with alcohol.
The alleged incidents took place in hotels where AAU teams were staying during amateur youth basketball tournaments.
"I was afraid to even fall asleep when he was around," one of Dodd's accusers, Ralph West, told ESPN. "It got to where I would barricade (myself in the) hotel room."
Another former player who declined to be identified told ESPN he had already spoken to a Memphis police detective.
Dodd could not be reached for comment and the AAU told ESPN they had not received any other complaints about Dodd. The organization said Dodd retired in November and was battling cancer.
