DOUG RAY: Harassment allegations led to resignation

We reported briefly in Friday’s edition that David Wasson, our executive sports editor, had resigned. There is more to say about this, and I think this is the appropriate place to explain what I can and what I know.

Wasson has been accused of making sexually charged comments to a student at the University of Alabama who was in a class he taught as an adjunct professor. Wasson has resigned from that job, as well.

We became aware of these allegations on Wednesday when the father of the student called to tell us his daughter had been sexually harassed by Wasson. We called the university to confirm administrators had received a similar complaint and learned from Jennifer Greer, chairman of the Department of Journalism, that an investigation had been opened.

Later that day, I met with Wasson. I offered him the opportunity to resign. He accepted that offer on Thursday morning. He has declined to make any further comment.

We have no indication that Wasson did anything improper in his role as executive sports editor.

He recently finished his undergraduate coursework and graduated from UA with a degree in journalism last year. This was his second semester as an adjunct professor.

Doug Ray is the executive editor of The Tuscaloosa News. Reach him at 205-722-0190 or at doug.ray@tuscaloosanews.com.