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Thursday morning Michigan State University released a notification from the NCAA regarding the resolution of two investigations. In both cases, MSU was found to have not violated NCAA legislation.
The investigations looked into the sexual assaults from former University physician Larry Nassar and the ESPN report from Outside The Lines regarding how the University handled allegations against football and basketball players.
“We welcome closure in regards to the NCAA inquiry,” MSU athletic director Bill 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.”
Nassar was first arrested in December 2016, initially just on child pornography charges. By January 2018 Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison on seven counts of sexual assault.
Beekman agreed with the NCAA that the University did not commit any violations in regards to Nassar, but reinforced the school’s position going forward. “And while we agree with the NCAA that we did not commit a violation, that does not diminish our commitment to ensure the health, safety and wellness of our student athletes. That pledge permeates everything we do as part of a larger university commitment to making MSU a safer campus,” Beekman said.
The first-year athletic director offered a more forceful defense against the other alleged violations. In February 2018, Outside The Lines released a massive report into sexual abuse allegations against former members of the football and basketball program over roughly the last 10 years. Thursday, Beekman said the NCAA confirmed neither Mark Dantonio nor Tom Izzo had done anything wrong.
“Today’s findings provide external validation of Mark Dantonio and Tom Izzo and the way they administer their programs,” Beekman said. “Mark and Tom represent the athletic department and Michigan State University with integrity.”
Both stories received national attention, putting Michigan State in the spotlight. Both former president Lou Anna Simon and athletic director Mark Hollis resigned in January of 2018.