The Drake men’s basketball team gained a step ahead of its competition when it had a successful foreign tour in New Zealand and Austra- lia three weeks ago. Now a couple packages of stolen socks are setting the team back.
Star Bulldog sophomore Rayvonte Rice and senior teammate Kurt Alexander were led away from a sporting goods store in handcuffs on Sept. 1 for stealing two packages of athletic socks valued at $50 according to a West Des Moines Police Report. The two men stole the socks from Scheels Sporting Goods in Jordan Creek Town Center and concealed them in a Finish Line bag, according to the report.
Rice and Alexander were stopped by two loss prevention associates while exiting the store at 6:58 p.m. They were taken to the loss pre- vention office where they awaited the arrival of the police. The men were read their rights and arrested.
The police said in the report that both the men stated they were “young and dumb” and were “sorry for doing it.” Neither of them was intoxicated.
After being placed in custody for fifth-degree theft, Rice and Alexander were transported to the West Des Moines jail, according to the report. Both were released on citation to appear at a later date.
Fifth-degree theft is considered a simple misdemeanor. According to the Iowa State Legislature’s Code of Iowa the penalty for a simple misdemeanor is a fine of $65 to $625 or up to 30 days in jail.
On the night of the incident, Drake Athletic Director Sandy Hatfield Clubb told KCCI Des Moines that Rice and Alexander have “been suspended immediately from all team activities.”
“We will allow for the continuation of the legal process before making further comment or determining the length of suspension and any further action on the matter,” Hatfield Clubb said. “Discipline and consequences will be de- termined consistent with the Drake University Student Code of Conduct and expectations for our student athletes.”
According to the Drake University Code of Student Conduct, “acts in violation of local ordinances, state law, or federal law are in violation of this Code. University disciplinary action may commence whether or not the offense results in proceedings by a civil or criminal court.”
On Friday, Drake Director of Athletic Compliance Cody Edwards said that she was not able to comment at the time on if there are specific violations of NCAA regulations.
Paul Kirk, assistant athletic director, said on Tuesday that there were not any updates or any new information at the time.
