Accused Youth Coach Commits Suicide

Women's Basketball, Apr 2005

Former AAU coach Rick Lopez, 36, who was charged with assaulting underage players, hanged himself in his jail cell in Castle Rock, CoIo. over the holidays more than four months after he was taken into custody.

According to the Associated Press, Lopez, who once coached University of Connecticut starter Ann Strother and former UConn players Liz Sherwood and Keirsten Walters, apparently tied a bedsheet to a small air vent on the wall in his cell and killed himself, Douglas County coroner Wes Riber said.

Last August, Lopez, the former coach of the Colorado Hoopsters, was charged with 59 counts of sexual assault and child abuse. He was to be arraigned on Feb. 11.

Prosecutors said Lopez admitted having sexual relationships with three former players on the traveling girls basketball club and other players have also accused him of making sexual advances toward them. Lopez denied allegations of misconduct.