Content warning: This story contains content surrounding sexual assault.

Nicholas Robert Schnack, a former St. Thomas football player, was convicted earlier this month of first-degree criminal sexual conduct of a then-St. Thomas student in September 2018.

According to a statement of probable cause filed in Minnesota District Court, Schnack sexually assaulted the former student in her dorm room. The woman went to Health Services and then a local hospital the next day, where she underwent an examination.

The woman subsequently withdrew from the university, according to the statement. She reported the assault to St. Thomas Public Safety in February 2019, and the St. Paul Police Department was contacted.

Schnack was charged in November 2019 and was convicted on Oct. 14.

Schnack was a first-year student at St. Thomas when he assaulted the woman. He transferred to Drake University following his first year and joined the football team.

Prior to his scheduled Dec. 17 sentencing in Ramsey County District Court, Schnack remains free on bond. The maximum sentence for this conviction is 30 years in prison or a $40,000 fine, or both.

Schnack’s attorney Kevin DeVore declined to comment. Drake University officials did not respond to a request for comment.

St. Thomas officials declined to comment about the case, citing student privacy laws. But in a written statement to TommieMedia, the university said, “St. Thomas is committed to fostering an environment where sexual misconduct is not tolerated. We encourage all community members to report any incident using a range of resources, including: 24-hour emergency contact lines, our Title IX and Dean of Students office, public safety, campus health providers, and others.”

Angeline Terry can be reached at terr2351@stthomas.edu.
Scout Mason can be reached at maso7275@stthomas.edu.
Justin Amaker contributed to this report.