MSU Women's Rowing Team March / Meet with Board of Trustees.

By Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

According to The State News, the Michigan State University student newspaper,  approximately 50 women on the MSU Women's rowing team held a march that led from Jenison Field House to the Hannah Administration Building on the MSU campus Monday.

Following the march, rowing team members met with Trustees Dianne Byrum, Brian Mosallam, Melanie Foster and Dan Kelly intent on addressing university policy changes following the Nassar case, according to The State News.

“We have victims of his abuse on our current team and in every class along the way,” the statement in The State News read. “We are questioning Michigan State University’s approach to Nassar; his criminal actions, the women he has abused, and the response of the University and athletic department. To say nothing is to say you agree and we do not agree with how this has been handled.”

The State News reports that Larry Nassar was the rowing team doctor from 1998 to 2016.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell statement on Safe Sport Autorization Act / MSU coach Izzo and Dantonio deny complaints relating to handling of sexual assault allegations regarding players.

Photo Purple Walrus Press.

By Editor and Publisher Jeff Brown.

In wake of the horrifically disturbing Nasser case, U.S Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI 12) has released the following statement on House passage of the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act.

“We all have a responsibility to protect our young people from despicable, predatory behavior, and this important legislation represents a first step in addressing the deep-rooted and systemic problems that came to light in the Dr. Larry Nassar case. This legislation sets up an independent body to investigate allegations of misconduct throughout Team USA and set up training for athletes, coaches and parents. This is an important step in the right direction, but we must continue to seek progress by ensuring the reforms made in this bill are fully funded.

“I am also pleased that leadership of the Energy and Commerce Committee agreed to my request to hold hearings and conduct a bipartisan investigation into the Dr. Larry Nassar case. Even though Dr. Nassar will spend the rest of his life in prison, we must work in a bipartisan manner to get to the root of this issue and put the right protections in place to ensure it never happens again.” 

Meanwhile, in light of a disturbing investigative report from ESPN'S "Outside the Lines", suggesting a pattern of widespread denial and inaction on part of the MSU athletic department relating to sexual assault, MSU head football coach Mark Dantonio and head basketball coach Tom Izzo, as of Saturday, have denied allegations relating to the handling of sexual assault allegations regarding players.

Parola Perspective: Short but succinct comment regarding MSU by PWP contributor Brooks Parola.

Brooks Parola -  Formally of Flint.

Thank you Magic! Folks, blind loyalty is bullshit! This is not about loyalty to your team or school!

Whether you're an alum of Penn State, Michigan State, or my school, Michigan, you need to support any and all investigations and be willing to stand by the conclusions and accountability they demand, as long as they are fairly done!

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette Media Conference MSU Investigation Saturday. "We will put a bright light at every corner of the university."

By Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette held a press conference Saturday, January 27, to update the media on his investigation into Michigan State University, relating to systemic issues with sexual misconduct at MSU. Today he announced that he has an open and ongoing investigation into these systemic problems of sexual misconduct, according to the Attorney General's Office.

The investigation into Michigan State University is being headed by independent special prosecutor William Forsyth. The Michigan State Police will be assisting by providing investigative support and resources.

The following are quotes from Saturday's  press conference:

" It is abundantly clear that a full and complete investigation of what happened at Michigan State University, from the president’s office on down, is required. This investigation is and will continue to be, independent, thorough, transparent and prompt,” said Schuette. “My department and this investigation will find out who knew what, and when.”

“In all my time as a prosecutor, I have always put victims and survivors of crime first. Truth and justice are the bedrock of any investigation, and that is the philosophy I will bring to this case,” said Forsyth. “Like everyone, I have questions, and I am going to answer those long overdue questions.”

"Michigan State Police welcomes this opportunity to help the Attorney General to fully investigate and determine if any other crimes have been committed," said Col. Etue.

According to Schuette during the press conference, "We will put a bright light at every corner of the university."

Stay tuned for updates.

U.S. Representatives Dingell, Upton and Walberg have called for investigation into Nassar case.

By Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell, Fred Upton and Tim Walberg, members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, have released the following statement that calls on the committee to conduct an investigation and hold hearings into the U.S. Olympic Committee, WSA Gymnastics and Michigan State University's handling of the Dr. Nassar case, according to a press release from the Office of Congresswoman Dingell.

“For 30 years, Dr. Nassar exhibited predatory behavior that scarred the lives of hundreds of young women. We are all inspired by the courage of these survivors to tell their story in court to expose the true character of Dr. Nassar and the scope of his misdeeds. Even though Dr. Nassar will spend the rest of his life in prison, we must get to the root of this issue and ensure it never happens again. There are many unanswered questions about how he continued to have access to young girls despite the numerous allegations against him. As the committee in the House of Representatives responsible for overseeing matters relating to sports, it is essential that the Energy and Commerce Committee exercise our jurisdiction on this important issue.

“As a federally chartered institution, USOC has many questions to answer, including the details of their relationship with Dr. Nassar, how they dealt with allegations of abuse, and how they intend to fix the problem moving forward. It is imperative that we get to the bottom of this.

“Families in Michigan and throughout the country were traumatized to learn the perverse details of this tragedy. It is incumbent on all of us to ensure this never happens again and to learn the role that USOC, USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University played in the tragedy.”