Freed-Hardeman University in Tennessee cancels appearance by Bill Cosby at benefit dinner

HENDERSON, Tenn. – A university in Tennessee says it has cancelled Bill Cosby’s scheduled appearance at a benefit dinner amid allegations made by women accusing the comedian of sexual assault.

Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson said in a statement Wednesday that Dr. Ben Carson will replace Cosby at the Dec. 5 dinner.

An attorney for the 77-year-old comedian has called the accusations that he drugged and assaulted numerous women “unsubstantiated” and “discredited.”

Freed-Hardeman President Joe Wiley says the university knows that “names we have seen in the media represent real people who will be affected long after FHU’s dinner has passed.”

Numerous dates on Cosby’s tour have been cancelled amid the allegations. One North Carolina school removed the entertainer from an advisory board; another stopped awarding an online scholarship in Cosby’s name.

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