Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis steps down

Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis is retiring, he announced Friday.

His departure comes after former MSU sports doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison. Nassar pleaded guilty to multiple counts of criminal sexual misconduct. The NCAA sent a letter of inquiry to MSU on Jan. 24 regarding possible rules violations related to the university’s handling of the Nassar case.

“Our campus, and beyond, has been attacked by evil, an individual who broke trust and so much more,” Hollis said in a statement released on Friday. “As a campus community, we must do everything we can to ensure this never happens again; to make sure any sexual assault never occurs. But to do so, we must listen and learn lessons. Only then can we truly begin the process of healing. I have tried to do this since first learning about the abuse in September 2016.”

Former student-athletes at Michigan State are among the women Nassar abused under the guise of medical treatment. A former Spartan gymnast who gave a victim impact statement at Nassar’s sentencing said she had told a coach of Nassar’s abuse in 1997. He continued to work at the school until 2016, when he was suspended and then fired.

“This was not an easy decision for my family, and you should not jump to any conclusions based on our decision — listen to facts,” Hollis said. “I am not running away from anything, I am running toward something. Comfort, compassion and understanding for the survivors and our community; togetherness, time and love for my family.”

Hollis had been Michigan State’s AD for almost exactly 10 years, since January 2008. A Michigan State alum, he was until now known mostly for his success in overseeing strong football and men’s basketball programs at the school.

Hollis’ departure follows the resignation of university president Lou Anna Simon. Her resignation came after pressure built during Nassar’s sentencing.

“Let me be clear, that in retirement, I will fully cooperate with these and any other investigations. As a University, we must focus on the healing of the survivors and the entire community”

Within hours of Hollis’ retirement announcement, ESPN’s Outside The Lines published a report indicating that Michigan State’s failures in handling allegations of sexual assault and violence extended far beyond Nassar. In the story, ESPN reported that it requested interviews with MSU officials, including Hollis, just two days earlier.

Read Hollis’ complete statement below:

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State University is a great institution, and its greatest strengths are the people who call themselves Spartans. Many, if not all, of those Spartans are hurting, especially the courageous survivors of Larry Nassar’s abuse. My heart breaks thinking about the incomprehensible pain all of them and their families have experienced. Along with many, I was brought to tears as I listened to their statements. There simply aren’t the right words to express our sympathy.

Our campus, and beyond, has been attacked by evil, an individual who broke trust and so much more. As a campus community, we must do everything we can to ensure this never happens again; to make sure any sexual assault never occurs. But to do so, we must listen and learn lessons. Only then can we truly begin the process of healing. I have tried to do this since first learning about the abuse in September 2016.

At the beginning of my tenure as Athletic Director, I established a mission statement – one with the student-athlete at its core. Our first priority has always been their health and safety. That focus, along with our core values, has guided our department each and every day. Values such as respect, accountability, and perhaps most importantly integrity, have served as a foundation through good times and bad – perhaps at no time more than the last few days.

I spoke to my administrative staff, coaches, student-athletes, and most importantly, my wife, Nancy, and my children, over the course of the past week. They are all incredible people, amazing Spartans. I have always been a Spartan and always will be. It’s been an absolute honor to guide the Athletic Department for the last decade. That being said, today I am announcing my retirement.

This was not an easy decision for my family, and you should not jump to any conclusions based on our decision – listen to facts. I am not running away from anything. I am running toward something. Comfort, compassion and understanding for the survivors and our community; togetherness, time and love for my family.

Much attention has recently been given to outside investigations into the University and the Athletic Department, including those both by the Michigan Attorney General and the NCAA. Let me be clear, that in retirement, I will fully cooperate with these and any other investigations. As a University, we must focus on the healing of the survivors and the entire community.