Grand Canyon University fires VP after learning of sexual assault claim

PHOENIX – Grand Canyon University fired a vice president over the weekend after learning about a sexual assault claim against him at a previous job.

Bob Romantic, communications director for the private Christian college, told KTAR News 92.3 FM in an email Thursday that Roy Shick’s employment was terminated Sunday.

Grand Canyon first heard about the allegations Friday, Romantic said, from a Seattle Times reporter. The school immediately put him on administrative leave and then fired him after conducting an inquiry into the case.

According to a Seattle Times story published Wednesday, Shick was accused by a University of Washington star volleyball player of sexually assaulting her in his truck after giving her a ride home.

The school investigated and determined the player’s allegations against Shick, who was senior associate athletic director, were credible, the paper reported.

Shick had resigned by the time the investigation was completed in March 2018.

Romantic said Shick passed a background check before he was hired in November 2018.

The Seattle Times reported that Washington agreed to pay up to $20,000 for therapy for the player, Cassandra Strickland, if she waived any claims against the school.

The school didn’t report the case to police, following Strickland’s preference, the paper said.

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