SYRACUSE — Syracuse University men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim was greeted by another loud ovation Friday night before his fourth-ranked Orange met No. 10 Florida with former star Carmelo Anthony in a front-row seat.
It’s the second game since the firing of longtime associate head coach Bernie Fine, who has been accused by three men — including two former Syracuse ballboys — of molesting them as minors.
Fine, who was fired Sunday, has denied the allegations.
Boeheim, who received a mild welcome when he first strolled onto the court that bears his name, waved off the applause after he was introduced.
Advocates for sex abuse victims have said Boeheim should resign or be fired for his adamant defense of Fine when the allegations first surfaced and for verbally disparaging the accusers.
“Based on what I knew at that time, there were three investigations, and nothing was corroborated,” Boeheim said earlier this week “That was the basis for me saying what I said. I said what I knew at the time.”
His spot on the coaching staff of the U.S. basketball team remains secure, though the U.S. Olympic Committee is monitoring the child sex abuse investigation of Fine.
Boeheim is the top assistant to Mike Krzyzewski on the team that will play at the 2012 London Olympics.
Asked about Boeheim’s status, USA Basketball spokesman Craig Miller said, “Jim Boeheim is a member of the USA Men’s National Team coaching staff.’”
The USOC declined comment, though a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press the federation is following the issue. The person spoke to The AP on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
Two high-profile Olympic sports have dealt with allegations of child sex abuse in the past two years.
In 2010, USA Swimming was hit by a number of sex-abuse allegations by coaches. More recently, 1984 Olympic gymnastics coach Don Peters was banned for life by USA Gymnastics after being accused of sexually abusing two athletes in the 1980s.
Over the past 18 months, the USOC has increased efforts to ensure safe environments for children who participate in Olympic sports.
The federation adopted a task force that encouraged the national governing bodies to adopt standardized policies to prevent abuse. It also hired an attorney to serve as the director of ethics and safe sport.
Boeheim was on the U.S. coaching staff in 1990 and returned in 2006.
Because Boeheim does not fall under the USOC’s umbrella until the Olympic team is officially named, the USOC does not consider his status on USA Basketball to currently be its issue.
Meanwhile, USA Basketball officials say the federal investigation of Fine doesn’t affect Boeheim’s status in their organization, but that they, too, continue to keep an eye on developments.
AP Sports Writer John Kekis in Syracuse contributed to this report.