Why I'm sickened by Jim Boeheim's fervent defense of Bernie Fine

I have no idea if Bernie Fine molested Bobby Davis. No one likely does except Davis and Fine. And that includes legendary Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim. I understand that Fine is a near and dear friend of Boeheim's, as well as a trusted confidant, so what Fine is accused of doing is likely unimaginable in Boeheim's mind. That does not, however, make it okay for Boeheim to blame the victim--before all the facts have been found.

Boeheim came out swinging in defense of Fine, saying:

Does Jim Boeheim really think Davis decided to just make up, out of the blue, that he was sexually assaulted for years?And who did he accuse but, Boeheim's friend Bernie Fine! Heck, if he was lying and really wanted to make a splash, why didn't he just go an accuse Boeheim himself!

The truth is that there is little positive that can come for Davis from making these allegations. Sure, he might win money in civil lawsuits--but that would mean he'd have to have convinced a jury that he was actually molested. In no way, shape or form does that make up for the stigma that Davis, and other victims of sexual abuse, have to face by a not-always-accepting society.

Further, all of the facts have not come out in this case. If Davis is indeed a victim, blaming him in any manner is despicable. And if it eventually comes out that Fine did molest Davis, than Boeheim will likely come off looking far worse than Joe Paterno ever did. At least Paterno didn't defend the accuser after the fact.