Former Duke Lacrosse Coach Signs Books, Reflects on Case

Durham, N.C. — The former coach of the Duke lacrosse team was back in Durham Thursday to sign his recently released book about the case that garnered national media attention.

Mike Pressler signed copies of his book, “It’s Not About the Truth,” at the Regulator Bookstore. It’s already a New York Times bestseller.

He also took questions, such as “What do you want to say to [former Durham District Attorney] Mike Nifong?”

“I’m not sure I’d be saying a whole lot. I’d be doing a whole lot,” Pressler laughed.

The former coach was in his 16th season at Duke when the lacrosse case broke, and he was the only Duke official to lose his job because of it. Pressler now coaches at Bryant College, a Division II school in Rhode Island.

“I’m a Yankee now, back up there in Rhode Island. They look at North Carolina as a disgrace,” he said.

Pressler said he is still deeply disappointed at Duke President Richard Brodhead and Athletic Director Joe Alleva.

He closed his book with a heartfelt letter his teenage daughter wrote to Brodhead. Pressler said Brodhead never responded until after the book had already gone to print.

“You know, it’s tough, it’s still tough,” he said. “You know, time will tell. Time will really tell how this plays out.”

31 Comments

WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

VIEW ALL 31 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments.

Latest Comments

Being a native RI'er I'll comment on Pressler's comments. This lacrosse fiasco, has nothing to do with the perception of NC held by RI citizens. There's always negative stigma attached to the north/south relationship amoung natives, just as someone said there's less crime and more hospitality here, sounds like he's trying to sensationalize things to sell a few more books. What does the forum think?

seriousbusiness
June 22, 2007 5:25 p.m.

Nancy- I am also offended that he says "I'm a Yankee now." I feel like that makes him a traitor to imply that he agrees with the people in RI that say NC is a disgrace. He lived here for many years, made a career for himself and raised a family here as well. On top of that, he bothered to come and promote his opportunistic book, so if he has so many negative feelings than he needs to stay away. I don't resent people that move here from up north but I resent the conversations about how things are so much better there and blah, blah, blah. To them I say, there are planes, trains and buses leaving every hour on the hour and if they don't like here then peace out. I am completely open to logical suggestions about improving NC as a state. I just want people that move here to be mindful of the fact that there are many more advantages to being in NC than up north, ranging from crime to cost of living to southern hospitality.

AM is Back to Being Immaculate
June 22, 2007 4:14 p.m.

Nancy- Sorry i'm juggling all of this and work. To respond to your post... "If something is wrong, should it not be open to being criticism? No matter where the person may have been born? And do you resent people moving here that are from north of the Mason Dixon line? Why? Moving here does not strip a person from speaking out against things that are clearly wrong. Pressler gave a view of what people in other parts of the country are saying. Unfortunately for NC, those opinions are the same the country over right now. Is everyone wrong to speak their mind?"

I agree with you that if something is wrong it should be open to criticism. My problem is with criticisms that offer no solution. For example, I’m a Yankee now, back up there in Rhode Island. They look at North Carolina as a disgrace.” That to me is useless statement. What makes anyone in RI qualified to refer to NC as a disgrace and why is NC a disgrace? What policies held by RI can be effectively applied in NC?

AM is Back to Being Immaculate
June 22, 2007 4:04 p.m.

Alleva and Burness were the ones who met with Pressler and told him he was a goner, not Broadhead, he refused to meet with him, and to this day has not talked to Pressler. That tells most that there will be no serious changes in the upper echelon of Duke, sadly. As well as Duke paying out instead of addressing needed changes. Duke has paid for their errors with checks to 5 people so far, it will be interesting to see how the alumni will feel when it comes to the fund drive that comes annually. Will the alumni feel like donating when Duke has not accepted responsibility but bought their way out? I will be interested in seeing the figures.