Before Michigan State’s Friday night basketball game, football coach Mark Dantonio took the podium to comment on Outside The Lines’ investigation into MSU, which found “at least 16 MSU football players have been accused of sexual assault or violence against women” during Dantonio’s 11 years in East Lansing. A person quoted alleges that his response to a sexual assault accusation against one player was to arrange a meeting with the player’s mother.
Mark Dantonio says Michigan State football sexual assault allegations were always reported to proper authorities
Following an ESPN investigation into the Spartans’ handling of sexual assault in sports beyond gymnastics, the head football coach says he’s not stepping down.
Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images
“Every incident reported in that article was documented by either police or the Michigan State Title IX office,” Dantonio said. “I have always worked with the proper authorities when dealing with cases of sexual assault.”
In 2017, a commissioned law firm found Dantonio correctly handled allegations against three players, who were later charged and booted from the program.
Basketball coach Tom Izzo has also said he won’t be leaving despite similar concerns about his track record.
Dantonio on Friday:
“During this extremely difficult and challenging time for our community, I would first like to express our deepest sympathies and my deepest sympathies to the courageous survivors of Larry Nassar’s abuse. It was absolutely heartbreaking to hear their stories and the pain and suffering they went through, and we are only in the beginning stages of the healing process for the community and even more importantly for the survivors and their families.
“I have received many questions and inquiries about today’s reports and the latest reports. I’m here tonight to say that any accusations of my handling of any complaints of sexual assault individually are completely false. Every incident reported in that article was documented by either police or the Michigan State Title IX office. I have always worked with the proper authorities when dealing with cases of sexual assault.
“We have always had high standards in this program, and that will never change. The values that we teach to everyone in this program will be enforced. We’ve also always tackled problems here head-on and have dealt with issues. When you find out about the problems, it has come from the police or the university authorities. I can assure you as in last year’s incident, I also immediately reported that to the proper authorities.
“That’s really all I have to say. I want to thank you for your time. You know, I’m advised against questions, but I feel completely steadfast in what I said today. I’ll take two questions.”
REPORTER: “Mark, there have been erroneous rumors that you were planning on resigning. Is that absolutely untrue?”
DANTONIO: “That is absolutely false. I am here for Spartan nation, I am here for our football program and for my family. And to look the people in the eye who I guess instigated those reports.”
REPORTER: “Mark, did you know about those previous sexual assaults that were reported in that story?”
DANTONIO: “It came to me from the authorities.”
REPORTER: “You knew about them at the time …”
DANTONIO: “They came straight from the authorities. When I found out about a sexual assault, I reported them immediately. That was as of last year’s. So I don’t want to walk out of here or not, but I can’t answer 150 questions. I want to thank you guys for your time. I thought it was important to come and address this and look people in the eye. Thank you for your time.”
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