READ: Statement of Scott Tompsett on Behalf of Coach Wojcik

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - The following is the full statement from attorney Scott Tompsett on behalf of Coach Wojcik:

Trevonte Dixon has alleged that Coach Wojcik physically abused him at a preseason game in Toronto, at the Elon game on December 1, 2012, and that Coach Wojcik maliciously threw balls at players in practice when players performed a drill incorrectly. The allegations are not true.

Coach Wojcik is the head men's basketball coach at the College of Charleston. And the College knows, or certainly should know, that Mr. Dixon's allegations are false. Yet the College has done nothing to correct the public record.

The College's inaction has forced Coach Wojcik to release this statement, and video of the Elon game and of the practice drill. There is no video of the alleged Toronto incident, but it was investigated in the College's first investigation.

The video of the Elon game shows that Coach Wojcik substituted Dixon out of the game after the young man committed a turnover and then almost immediately committed a defensive foul away from the ball. Dixon returned to the bench, then Coach Wojcik kneeled in front of Dixon coaching him on his mistake. The entire encounter lasted a few seconds, and there's nothing that comes even close to physical abuse. In fact, the same type of conduct can be seen dozens of times a night on ESPN during the college basketball season. It's called coaching, and it's what the College of Charleston hired Coach Wojcik to do.

The practice drill is called Screen Up, Screen Down. It teaches players to guard an offensive player who is attempting to get open for a pass via up screens and down screens, while the defensive player must also be on guard for a pass to deflect or intercept. It is a defensive drill that teaches the Ball-You-Man relationship. This is a fundamental skill that coaches teach all over the country.

As anyone can see from the video, Coach Wojcik stands at the free-throw line area with the ball while players cycle offensively while being guarded by defensive players. Coach Wojcik attempts to pass the ball in the vicinity of an offensive player, while the defensive player tries to stay with the offensive player while at the same time watching for a pass to deflect or intercept. This is how the game of basketball is played.

The video we've provided shows players occasionally getting hit with the ball in the back, legs or buttocks because they were not looking for the pass. And that's what happens in real game situations. The drill simulates a game situation.

But it's obvious that contrary to Dixon's allegation, Coach Wojcik did not maliciously throw balls at players because they performed the drill incorrectly; rather, he was teaching and instructing. In fact, at one point in the video Coach Wojcik gives a high-five to Dixon as positive encouragement.

The public should know that the College claimed that Dixon's allegations – which are obviously without merit - necessitated the second investigation that was first reported by the Charleston Post and Courier last week. The College started the second investigation after Coach Wojcik accepted President Benson's decision and sanctions from the first investigation on June 30. It's our understanding that the College never provided to the investigator the video evidence that we've provided today, which shows that Dixon's allegations are false.

As of today, Coach Wojcik is the head men's basketball coach at the College of Charleston. He has three years remaining on his contract, and he's ready and willing to fulfill his contractual obligations.

?