The student part has been re-established, but the student-athlete part remains to be seen. – Dominique Hatfield attorney Greg Skordas
SALT LAKE CITY — Former Utah cornerback Dominique Hatfield will be able to attend classes at the University of Utah, but his status with the team remains unchanged.
“Pleased to report that the University, after conducting its investigation, has decided not to dismiss or suspend (Hatfield) from the University,” said Greg Phillips, one of Hatfield's attorneys. “(Dominique) looks forward to resolving his alleged misdemeanor as soon as possible.”
The decision to allow Hatfield to continue his education at the university has nothing to do with the decision by football coaches about whether to reinstate him as a scholarship athlete.
Asked about Hatfield's tweet on Friday night that said he “was back,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham replied, “I don’t know what he said. I don’t do social media.” Then, when told what Hatfield tweeted, Whittingham said there had been no change in Hatfield’s status with the team.
“Not right now he’s not,” Whittingham said of Hatfield being reinstated.
Hatfield still faces a Class B misdemeanor assault charge stemming from an incident at a party on July 5.
Hatfield’s other attorney, Greg Skordas, said this is something Hatfield pursued on his own with the school’s Office of Student Affairs.
“This is something between him and the U.,” said Skordas. “Dominique on his own dealt with this. It wasn’t something where a person would have a lawyer involved.”
Skordas and Phillips said Hatfield continues to work with Utah coaches to see if there are conditions under which he could return to the team. “The student part has been re-established, but the student-athlete part remains to be seen,” Skordas said. “That’s up to the coaching staff. The coaching staff has other things to consider, and they’re doing that. My only hope is they don’t wait for a disposition of the new charges because that could be months down the road.”
Hatfield is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 21. According to a probable cause statement, the alleged victim said Hatfield and “other unknown individuals” attacked him, causing multiple cuts to his face and nose, as well as bruising around his eyes, shoulder and back.
The probable cause statement cites the victim’s request that Hatfield not consume marijuana at the party as the reason for the alleged assault.
Both Phillips and Skordas deny Hatfield’s involvement in any assault.
“I dispute that (Hatfield) assaulted anyone,” Skordas said.
Hatfield's attorneys also said they haven’t seen a police report outlining the evidence in the case and that there haven't been any other arrests.
Dirk Facer contributed to this report
Twitter: adonsports EMAIL: adonaldson@deseretnews.com