Towson University basketball player who pleaded guilty to sexual assault is off the team 

By Sarah Sternhagen, Editor-in-Chief and D’Mari Dreher-Smith, Sports Editor

Ryan Conway, a Towson University basketball player who this spring pleaded guilty to sexual assault and second degree assault, is no longer on the men’s basketball roster, according to a university spokesperson.

The spokesperson declined Monday to say whether the university removed Conway or if he quit. Conway remains a Towson student, according to the university student directory, which the spokesperson confirmed Monday is up to date.

A TU student reported Conway raped her in June 2022. Conway faced eight criminal charges in August 2023 stemming from the case, including rape, multiple sex offenses and assault. 

In May, he pleaded guilty to two of the eight charges in a deal that reduced his sentence from 10 years in prison to five years on probation. He was not required to register as a sex offender. He cannot contact the victim.

Conway did not respond to The Towerlight’s request for comment by publication time Tuesday.

While Conway is off the roster now, this semester he participated in team activities, including practices.

The Towerlight observed Conway at multiple practices this semester. A TikTok video posted in September also shows Conway in his Towson jersey present at the basketball team’s media day, when athletic teams take promotional pictures that may be used throughout the season.

Conway’s name was first taken off the roster in August 2023, when a grand jury indicted him for the alleged 2022 rape, The Towerlight reported.

John Magee, a prosecutor with the Baltimore County State Attorney’s office, said during the May court hearing that Conway’s accuser supported the plea deal, according to an audio recording The Towerlight obtained.

“In my final conversations with the victim, she had indicated that she does not wish to have to go through the process of trial unless absolutely necessary,” Magee said at the time.

Criticism against Conway has begun to mount. An online petition started this month is demanding Towson “take action” against Conway. It had attracted more than 265 signatures as of Tuesday afternoon.

“If Towson University truly cared about the safety of their students, something should be done about this predator walking freely around campus,” the petition reads. 

The petition’s creator, who is anonymous, did not respond to a request for comment by publication time.

If you or someone you know is suffering from sexual harassment or assault, contact TUPD at 410-704-4444 or call 911. The TurnAround, a 24-hour hotline crisis support team can be reached at 443-279-0379, and the TU Counseling Center can be reached at 410-704-2512

This is a developing story and may be updated.

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