University of Utah tennis player faces rape charges
Jun 3, 2025, 7:49 PM | Updated: Jun 4, 2025, 12:23 pm
(Laura Seitz/Deseret News)
(Laura Seitz/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County officials have charged a University of Utah student tennis player with rape.
According to court documents, 21-year-old Berk Bugarikj was charged on three counts of rape, two counts of forcible sodomy and one count of object rape. All the counts are first-degree felonies.
The alleged assault took place on Nov. 16, 2024, police said. The victim and Bugarikj were at a bar with a group of friends. After the bar closed, the group went to Bugarikj’s residence.
The victim described an incident to police where she and Bugarikj were alone in his room. They began kissing, then, according to police, Bugarikj initiated several sexual acts, despite the victim’s lack of consent and explicit refusal.
According to the police affidavit, the victim was sexually assaulted again while she waited for a ride she’d requested from a rideshare app.
At the time of publication, there was a warrant for Bugarikj’s arrest.
University of Utah Athletics has released the following statement:
We are aware of the criminal charges filed against a men’s tennis student-athlete. Upon initially learning in November 2024 of an accusation against the student-athlete, the Athletics Department immediately suspended the student-athlete. In January 2025, when no charges had been filed against the student-athlete, the suspension was lifted with the condition that it would be reapplied should charges be filed in the case. We treat allegations of significant misconduct very seriously, and the student-athlete has again been suspended.
The investigation is ongoing.
Contributing: Simone Seikaly
This story is developing and may be updated as further information is made available.
If you have experienced sexual violence, you can access help and resources by calling Utah’s 24-hour Sexual Violence Help Line at 1-801-736-4356 (English) or 1-801-924-0860 (Spanish). You can also call the Rape Recovery Center office line during office hours at 801-467-7282 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 for free, confidential counseling.
