Saturday night, a bombshell report was dropped about Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker and allegations made by rape survivor Brenda Tracy that she was sexually harassed by him during a phone call.
According to Kenny Jacoby at USA Today, Tracy told a Title IX investigator that, during an April 2022 phone call, Tucker “made sexual comments about her and masturbated.”
The two had a professional relationship based on her work educating athletes about sexual assault and its impacts. She made two visits to Michigan State previously to speak with players and coaches and was also an honorary captain for an MSU spring football game.
However, all of that changed after the phone call.
“The idea that someone could know me and say they understand my trauma but then re-inflict that trauma on me is so disgusting to me, it’s hard for me to even wrap my mind around it,” she told USA Today. “It’s like he sought me out just to betray me.”
Tucker reportedly told the investigator that he did masturbate during the call but that Tracy “mischaracterized” what was consensual “phone sex” between the two of them.
Michigan State is holding a hearing on October 5 and 6 to determine if Tucker violated the school’s sexual harassment policy. If he did, there is a clause in his $95 million contract that says he can be fired if he “engaged in any conduct which constitutes moral turpitude or, which in the university’s reasonable judgment, would tend to bring public disrespect, contempt or ridicule.”
There’s more to come on this disturbing topic but the college football world shared its thoughts Saturday night.
The fact that Tucker is coaching games at Michigan State right now is outrageous https://t.co/E02wr2E0pq pic.twitter.com/euYWxprsun
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) September 10, 2023
No words https://t.co/GFbPp9A446
— Chris Novak (@ChrisMNovak) September 10, 2023
If you or someone you know is experiencing sexual harassment or sexual assault, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.