A scandal has rocked the Stephen F. Austin University bowling program, leading to the resignation of assistant coach Steve Lemke. Lemke, 38, admitted to an affair with a student-athlete on the team, a relationship that violated university policy. Adding another layer of complexity, Lemke is married to the team's head coach, Amber Lemke.

Athletic director Ryan Ivey confirmed Lemke's resignation on April 10th, stating Lemke "chose to resign" after the affair came to light. The Lemkes have subsequently filed for divorce.

Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks shorts logo during the second half of the College Basketball game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks on Nov. 20, 2019 at the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

In a surprising statement, Steve Lemke defended his actions, claiming there was no specific rule prohibiting the relationship. "I knew it was kind of a no-no, but there’s not a rule saying it can’t happen," Lemke told The Lufkin Daily News. "There’s not a law saying I’m going to go to jail for doing something like this. There’s nothing in stone. I guess it’s just an ethics code."

Bowling pins.

The affair came to light when Amber Lemke discovered a text message on her husband's phone, which led to his confession. "It didn’t have anything in detail," Steve explained. "It was just about how amazing I am. Amber saw that and questioned me, and I told her the truth after she dug through my phone."

The Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks take on the Vanderbilt Commodores during the Division I Women's Bowling Championship held at Rollhouse Wickliffe on April 13, 2019 in Wickliffe, Ohio. (Jay LaPrete/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Steve Lemke had been a stay-at-home dad for five years before officially joining the coaching staff as an assistant in 2019. The Lumberjacks were the runners-up in the 2022 NCAA Championships.