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The Associated Press
Suspended Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker said Monday that allegations of sexual harassment against him are "completely false" and the intimate phone call he had with activist and rape survivor Brenda Tracy is outside the scope of both Title IX and school policy.
In a two-page statement released by a Detroit law firm, Tucker sharply criticized Tracy for suggesting their relationship was anything but consensual and ripped the months-long investigation into his behavior as deeply flawed.
"I can only conclude that there is an ulterior motive designed to terminate my contract based on some other factor such as a desire to avoid any Nasser taint, or my race or gender," said Tucker, who is Black.
The university was fined $4.5 million four years ago by the Education Department for failing to adequately respond to sexual assault complaints against Larry Nassar, a campus sports doctor who molested elite gymnasts and other female athletes. The school has also settled lawsuits filed by Nassar victims for $500 million.
Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller suspended Tucker without pay Sunday, less than 24 hours after Tracy's allegations became public in a USA Today report.
The university hired a Title IX attorney to investigate Tracy's complaint and the investigation concluded July 25. A hearing is scheduled for the week of Oct. 5 to determine if Tucker violated the school's sexual harassment and exploitation policy.
"The proceedings initiated by Ms. Tracy are devoid of any semblance of fairness for any matter of this importance," Tucker said. "That is why I share some truth with you now."
Tucker is in the third year of a $95 million, 10-year contract and if he is fired for cause, the school would not have to pay him what's remaining on his deal.
The school may fire Tucker for cause if he "engages in any conduct which constitutes moral turpitude or which, in the University's sole judgement, would tend to bring public disrespect, contempt or ridicule upon the university," according to his contract. The school also was able to suspend Tucker, without pay, if he "materially breaches" his contract.
"Ms. Tracy's attorney told us from the very beginning that I should not lose my job over her allegations, but that it would take a lot of money to make it go away," Tucker said. "Her twisting of our personal relationship months after it concluded is designed to revive her career and destroy my life, precipitated by her greed."
Tracy became friends with Tucker over her advocacy work, but that relationship took a turn in April 2022 when Tucker masturbated during a phone call with her, according to USA Today.
Pitt time listed
PITTSBURGH -- Pitt's Sept. 23 home game against North Carolina will kick off at 8 p.m., and be televised by ACC Network.
Honor for Flash
LORETTO -- Saint Francis University football wide receiver Casey McKinney was named a Northeast Conference Prime Performer, the conference announced Monday.
McKinney, a redshirt sophomore, tied a game-high with eight receptions and added a team-high 111 receiving yards and one touchdown in a loss to Robert Morris this past weekend. He also added one punt return for 16 yards.
He currently leads the NEC with 183 receiving yards, is second with 15 yards per punt return and third with 12 receptions.
A no-no for Pac-12
A judge granted a request by Oregon State and Washington State for a temporary restraining order on Monday to prevent departing Pac-12 members from meeting until it can be determined who has the right to chart the future of the disintegrating conference.
At a hearing in Whitman County Superior Court in Washington, Judge Gary Libey ruled that a board of directors meeting scheduled for later this week with conference Commissioner George Kliavkoff and university leaders from 10 departing members cannot take place.
Washington State President Kirk Schulz, who now serves as the chairman of the Pac-12's board, and athletic director Pat Chun attended the hearing at a courthouse not far from the school's Pullman campus. The judge did not immediately set another court date.
Oregon State and Washington State want full control over decision making for the conference as the only schools committed to the league beyond the current school year. The schools filed the breach of bylaws complaint Friday.
"I am pleased with today's decision. As the two remaining Pac- 12 members, Oregon State and Washington State must be able to chart a path forward for the Pac 12–not the members that have chosen to leave it," Oregon State President Jayathi Murthy said in a statement.
Leaders of the Pacific Northwest schools have stated they would like to rebuild the Pac-12, taking control of its assets and intellectual property while preserving its brand. They say they fear the outgoing schools will try to dissolve the conference and divvy up its assets on the way out the door if they are permitted to convene a board meeting.
"Members who have announced that they are leaving to join a competitor no longer have any loyalty to the Pac-12, cannot be entrusted to make decisions on behalf of the Pac-12," said Eric MacMichael, an attorney for Oregon State.
MacMichael said on the agenda for the scheduled meeting was a discussion of amending the conference bylaws.