Head of Michigan State Athletics Retires Amid Criticism Over Larry Nassar Sex Abuse Scandal

Michigan State Athletics Director Mark Hollis announces retirement amid widespread criticism aimed at the school over how it handled complaints of sexual abuse by former sports doctor Larry Nassar. He was sentenced to 40-175 years in prison this week.

Cheyna Roth/MPRN

The head of Michigan State University’s athletics program is resigning.

It’s the latest fallout from the sexual abuse scandal involving former Michigan State and USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar.

A Michigan judge gave Nassar up to 175 years in prison this week for molesting young women, including Olympic athletes, he was supposed to be treating.

Now Michigan State Athletics Director Mark Hollis is stepping down.

The move comes days after Michigan State’s president announced her resignation and just before students on the campus hold what they call a March for Survivors and Change at the university.

Hollis says he is “not running from anything” and will cooperate with investigators from the NCAA and Michigan’s Attorney General’s office about how the university handled reports of sexual abuse by Nassar.

Many lawmakers on Capitol Hill are also demanding a Congressional investigation into the university and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is vowing to investigate the situation as well.

Author

  • Quinn Klinefelter
    Quinn Klinefelter is a Senior News Editor at 101.9 WDET. In 1996, he was literally on top of the news when he interviewed then-Senator Bob Dole about his presidential campaign and stepped on his feet.