NCAA Ineffective in Protecting Student Athletes from Sexual Assault

“Michigan State received a letter from the NCAA stating no violations have been found in an inquiry into its handling of the Larry Nassar sexual assault scandal…” according to Sports Illustrated.  The NCAA could not find that MSU “lacked institutional control” despite Nassar being a member of its faculty.  Furthermore, the NCAA found that MSU did not violate NCAA guidelines requiring that schools provide “an environment that fosters fairness, sportsmanship, safety, honesty and positive relationships between student-athletes and representatives of the institution.” 

CNN reported in January of 2018 that the NCAA opened its investigation into how MSU Athletics handled the claims of sexual abuse, as several women and girls testified that they had complained of Dr. Nassar’s abuse of them and were told that they “probably did not understand medical technique.”  Victims were not taken seriously when they reported the abuse to MSU athletics, and the NCAA investigation clearing MSU of any violation makes it appear that those victims are not taken seriously now.  MSU athletics silenced those victims when they reported the abuse, and the NCAA is silencing their complaints and the resulting harm now with a report that clears the university completely of any wrongdoing. 

It is a sad and tragic incongruity that although Nassar was an MSU faculty member who repeatedly harmed female athletes across multiple sports for years, yet the NCAA is revealing that it is completely ineffective in protecting those athletes then, or any in the future.  Rather, their investigation seemingly exonerates MSU athletics of any responsibility in the Nassar abuse of hundreds of female athletes for more than a decade.

Victims and their families were clearly harmed and shattered, as their safety was not protected in a positive environment fostered by the institution.  Years of sexual abuse and reports of that abuse being silenced or ignored by university officials should have raised grave concern for the NCAA, the collegiate athletic organization charged with protecting student athletes.  Raising questions as to the relevancy and effectiveness of the NCAA, this outcome is humiliating and destructive to student athletes across the country who are overseen by a regulating institution that appears impotent to protect them from obvious harm.

The victims and their families are devastated.  Future athletes and their families have to wonder about the relevancy and effectiveness of the NCAA in its lack of protection of student athletes moving forward.