In the wake of one of the biggest sexual predatory scandals in American history, it appears the Michigan State football and basketball programs have been cleared of any wrongdoing by the NCAA.
Not that the basketball and/or football programs were directly involved with the Larry Nassar scandal, the former gymnastics doctor who abused hundreds of women under the guise of medical treatment. However the NCAA opened an inquiry into other parts of Michigan State (which included the basketball and football programs) after reports surfaced about possible mishandling of sexual assault cases.
Those reports included an ESPN report that was released on January 26 of this year which detailed allegations of sexual assault against both basketball and football players stretching back a decade. Then there was an ESPN Outside the Lines account of the situation as well as a Detroit Free Press investigation into the matter. This prompted a second inquiry by the NCAA which today as previously mentioned cleared both programs of any wrongdoing.
Via the Freep:
EAST LANSING – Michigan State received a letter from the NCAA this week that cleared it of any potential violations in the wake of Larry Nassar’s abuse and allegations of sexual assault against the school’s basketball and football programs, according to the university.
Jonathan F. Duncan, the NCAA’s vice president of enforcement, wrote to new MSU athletic director Bill Beekman, “that it does not appear there is a need for further inquiry.”
“We welcome closure in regards to the NCAA inquiry,” Beekman said in a statement. “MSU cooperated fully with the inquiry over the past several months and provided all requested documentation and access to key personnel.”
Michigan State originally received a letter of inquiry from the NCAA on January 23. The letter was sent to then AD Mark Hollis from the NCAA’s former executive vice president of regulatory affairs Oliver F. Luck who has since moved on to take an executive role with the new incarnation of the XFL. Three days after receiving the letter on January 26, Mark Hollis resigned from his position with the University which ironically was the same day ESPN released the findings of their own investigation that more or less was regarded as a hit piece by some.