Zoe Katz, the girlfriend of former USC kicker Matt Boermeester, has issued a statement in defense of her boyfriend after a Title IX investigation led to his dismissal from the university and the football team, despite the fact that Katz said it never happened.
In her statement, Katz, 22, ripped the Title IX investigation of the “student-conduct issue” that led to said investigation and the University of Southern California’s decision to expel Boermeester.
Boermeester, who hit the game-winning field goal in USC’s Rose Bowl victory against Penn State, was suspended from the team in February due to what the university called an unspecified “student code of conduct issue.”
According to reports, Boermeester was accused of pushing Katz up against a wall outside her university residence in January. However, Katz, who is a member of the university’s tennis team and is still dating Boermeester, strongly denies that Boermeester committed such acts.
Similarly, Boermeester does not face any criminal charges.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAeKfXcN70A
via ESPN:
“I want to be very clear that I have never been abused, assaulted or otherwise mistreated by Matt,” said Katz, a member of USC’s tennis team. “He is an incredible person, and I am and have been 100 percent behind him. Nothing happened that warranted an investigation, much less the unfair, biased and drawn-out process that we have been forced to endure quietly.”
The alleged incident was reported to USC’s Title IX office by men’s tennis coach Peter Smith, whose son was Katz’s neighbor, Steigerwalt said. After the Title IX office was informed of the possible abuse, it brought Katz in for an interview. She denied what was being alleged, but said it fell on deaf ears.
“When I told the truth about Matt, in repeated interrogations, I was stereotyped and was told I must be a ‘battered’ woman, and that made me feel demeaned and absurdly profiled,” Katz said in her statement. “I understand that domestic violence is a terrible problem, but in no way does that apply to Matt and me.”
Oce investigation began, Katz, despite her objections, was told not to contact Boermeester. Boermeester was two classes shy of graduation at the time of his expulsion.
The University of Southern California released a statement on the issue:
“The university has concluded its investigation. Student disciplinary records and proceedings regarding any matter of student conduct are confidential and protected by law. Per the registrar, he is no longer enrolled at the university.”
