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Florida sophomore receiver Antonio Callaway was cleared of sexual assaulting a female student in a university Title IX hearing oversaw by a school booster on Friday. Jacksonville attorney Jake Schickel found that Callaway didn't commit three violations of the school's student code. The charges against him stemming from the December incident included sexual assault and misconduct as well as conduct causing physical injury or endangering another's health and safety.
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The woman has 10 business days to appeal the decision by Schickel, who is a booster of the football program.
Florida hasn't firmed up Callaway's playing status. He was the team's best receiver last season with 35 catches for 678 yards and four touchdowns, and also returned two punts for touchdowns.
The university released a statement shortly after Callaway was cleared.
"The University of Florida will not tolerate sexual misconduct and thoroughly investigates every allegation it receives through the student conduct and Title IX processes," the statement read in part. "While we want to be as transparent as possible, we cannot address rumors, media reports or misleading statements from attorneys on this subject.
"We cannot confirm whether or not any allegation or student conduct investigation exists; and the university is barred from discussing specific student disciplinary cases. Federal and state law are very clear on this front and require strict confidentiality of this kind of information.
"Be assured that any situation of this serious nature reported to the university is immediately addressed following Title IX regulations, U.S. Department of Education guidelines and university policies. These policies and practices support those who report sexual misconduct of any kind and ensure a fair investigation and process for the accuser and the accused beginning with the initial report and through any appeal."
Schickel ruled that the woman's account didn't meet the burden of proof.
Her attorney, John Clune, was very disturbed over the process.
"We would have been surprised if any other outcome would have occurred," Clune said. "The whole situation is a disgrace and disservice to everybody involved in this process. It doesn't matter how competent someone is, if they have a bias, you can't remove that bias.
"The school knows better, and they owe the female students at UF better than this. It sends the wrong message."
Schickel, 68, is reportedly a member of the football Scholarship Club, which requires annual contributions of at least $4,800 annually. He is also a 3-Point Club donor to Florida's basketball program, which calls for contributions of between $2,000 to $4,999 annually.
Huntley Johnson, the attorney for Callaway, released a strongly worded statement to ESPN.
"The complainant's advisor has gone out of his way to distort Mr. Callaway's actions," Johnson stated. "Please allow us to level the playing field. This decision by the hearing officer reflects only a fraction of the evidence which is not favorable to the complainant.
"The young lady's advisor has said 'they will take their witnesses and go elsewhere.' They need to be careful what they wish for."
Callaway was suspended in January -- along with quarterback Treon Harris -- for violating the school's code of conduct.
Harris announced last month that he was transferring and reportedly agreed to leave Florida in a plea deal involving the case. Published reports claim Harris apologized to the woman.
Callaway practiced with the Gators for the first time this season on Wednesday.
