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A December human resources complaint alleged Heather Lyke, a high-ranking advisor and candidate for Syracuse University’s next director of athletics, directed “employees to disregard instructions given by our department’s top leader” and overstepped “the appropriate boundaries of her role.”
In the HR complaint — filed on Dec. 1, 2025, and obtained by The Daily Orange — the complainant claims this ongoing pattern of behavior contributed to “a culture of intimidation” within SU Athletics. A staff member from the Office of Human Resources found that there appeared to be “some lack of clarity” about Lyke’s role and authority compared to current Director of Athletics John Wildhack, according to the documents…