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Aurora-based volleyball coach Rick Butler kicked out of AAU

Aurora-based volleyball coach Rick Butler has been kicked out of the massive Amateur Athletic Union and "permanently disqualified" from participating in AAU activities, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.

The move follows months of silence by the AAU, which has refused to comment on sexual abuse allegations. Those allegations date to the 1980s and recently led to his banishment from volleyball's national governing body, USA Volleyball.

An AAU spokeswoman confirmed the ban Friday night. Until now, the organization had repeatedly cited pending litigation in its refusal to comment on Butler. One of Butler's accusers, Sarah Powers-Barnhard, has sued the AAU for turning a blind eye to Butler's past.

Neither Butler nor his attorney responded to multiple messages seeking comment Friday evening. He has previously insisted he has "never sexually abused any individual." He has also never been charged with a crime.

It was not immediately clear how that would affect Butler's club in Aurora, Sports Performance Volleyball.

Powers-Barnhard - one of at least five alleged victims - called the AAU's decision "everything we wanted."

For the complete story, visit chicago.suntimes.com.

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