East Lansing, Michigan (WILX) – Michigan State University is conducting a Title IX investigation against its head football coach, Mel Tucker, as reported by USA Today this Sunday.
In the report, allegations have been made against Tucker for engaging in non-consensual phone sex with a sexual assault survivor who was working with MSU’s football program on sexual violence education at the time. Brenda Tracey, who has come forward with her identity thanks to USA Today, claims that Tucker invited her to speak with student-athletes about her experiences with three Oregon State University players and a high school recruit being sexually assaulted over 25 years ago. Tracey and her non-profit organization, Set the Expectation, were invited to campus three times to speak with MSU football players, including being named an honorary captain for last year’s spring game, according to the organization’s website. During these encounters, Tracey alleges that Tucker frequently called her, sent her gifts, and inquired about dating her if she wasn’t married. Tucker is married and has two sons.
According to USA Today’s report, Tracey said she declined Tucker’s request to meet privately and alleges that Tucker suggested entering her hotel room through a back door so no one would see.
When contacted by a USA Today reporter on Saturday, Tucker denied discussing the matter. However, in a letter sent to MSU’s Title IX investigator in March, he stated, “Ms. Tracey’s false allegations of mutual consent and intimate relationships have had a profound impact on my reputation, future, and mental well-being.” He also said, “I am not involved in any definition of misconduct.”
In a statement released by the university, Michigan State University spokesperson Emily Guerrant said, “Cultivating a culture of reporting incidents and respecting privacy is crucial – it is essential to ensure that every complaint or concern brought forward is treated seriously and investigated thoroughly when necessary. When investigations occur, they must be done completely and confidentially.”
A formal hearing at Michigan State University regarding the allegations against Tucker is scheduled for the week of October 5th and 6th during Bye Week for the MSU football team. The hearing will determine whether Tucker violated the university’s sexual harassment policies and federal Title IX law, which prohibits sex discrimination in education, including sexual harassment.
Michigan State has reportedly denied ESPN’s Freedom of Information Act request for documents related to the Tucker case, citing state laws that exempt information “that would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of an individual’s privacy.” Cable Sports Network says it has retained a Michigan-based law firm to investigate potential malfeasance by MSU regarding the records denial.
This report comes just one day after the university refused to release documents related to the case filed against Dr. Larry Nassar, a former MSU physician
East Lansing, Michigan (WILX) – Michigan State University is conducting a Title IX investigation against its head football coach, Mel Tucker, as reported by USA Today this Sunday.
In the report, allegations have been made against Tucker for engaging in non-consensual phone sex with a sexual assault survivor who was working with MSU’s football program on sexual violence education at the time. Brenda Tracey, who has come forward with her identity thanks to USA Today, claims that Tucker invited her to speak with student-athletes about her experiences with three Oregon State University players and a high school recruit being sexually assaulted over 25 years ago. Tracey and her non-profit organization, Set the Expectation, were invited to campus three times to speak with MSU football players, including being named an honorary captain for last year’s spring game, according to the organization’s website. During these encounters, Tracey alleges that Tucker frequently called her, sent her gifts, and inquired about dating her if she wasn’t married. Tucker is married and has two sons.
According to USA Today’s report, Tracey said she declined Tucker’s request to meet privately and alleges that Tucker suggested entering her hotel room through a back door so no one would see.
When contacted by a USA Today reporter on Saturday, Tucker denied discussing the matter. However, in a letter sent to MSU’s Title IX investigator in March, he stated, “Ms. Tracey’s false allegations of mutual consent and intimate relationships have had a profound impact on my reputation, future, and mental well-being.” He also said, “I am not involved in any definition of misconduct.”
In a statement released by the university, Michigan State University spokesperson Emily Guerrant said, “Cultivating a culture of reporting incidents and respecting privacy is crucial – it is essential to ensure that every complaint or concern brought forward is treated seriously and investigated thoroughly when necessary. When investigations occur, they must be done completely and confidentially.”
A formal hearing at Michigan State University regarding the allegations against Tucker is scheduled for the week of October 5th and 6th during Bye Week for the MSU football team. The hearing will determine whether Tucker violated the university’s sexual harassment policies and federal Title IX law, which prohibits sex discrimination in education, including sexual harassment.
Michigan State has reportedly denied ESPN’s Freedom of Information Act request for documents related to the Tucker case, citing state laws that exempt information “that would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of an individual’s privacy.” Cable Sports Network says it has retained a Michigan-based law firm to investigate potential malfeasance by MSU regarding the records denial.
This report comes just one day after the university refused to release documents related to the case filed against Dr. Larry Nassar, a former MSU physician