Michigan State investigation concludes ex-coach Mel Tucker violated the university’s sexual misconduct policy

A Michigan State investigation has made up our minds former trainer Mel Tucker violated the university’s sexual harassment policy, the faculty introduced Wednesday. The ruling, which was once made to be had in a 73-page document obtained by USA Today, concluded Tucker sexually burdened and exploited rape survivor and activist Brenda Tracy. 

According to the document, Tucker’s undesirable advances towards Tracy integrated masturbating right through a telephone dialog with out her consent in 2022. Tucker, who was once suspended and later fired through Michigan State in September after the allegations got here to public gentle, had admitted to interactions with Tracy however contended they had been “mutual” and “private.” 

“In sum, considering all available evidence, the Resolution Officer finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that [Tucker] subjected [Tracy] to unwelcome conduct based on sex when [Tucker] FaceTime video called Claimant without a shirt on,” the document concluded, in keeping with USA Today. “When [Tucker] attempted to meet up with [Tracy] alone following the Spring Game; and when [Tucker] non-consensually masturbated and used graphic, sexual language on a phone call with [Tracy].”

A Michigan State spokesperson told ESPN the investigation into Tucker’s conduct has no longer officially closed since Tucker has the alternative to attraction the listening to officer’s ruling inside the subsequent 10 days. Tucker neglected a listening to on the topic previous in October, citing a serious illness for his absence. 

Tucker was once in his fourth season guiding Michigan State ahead of the college suspended him on Sept. 10, in the future after the Spartans’ Week 2 house win towards Richmond. Michigan State later fired Tucker with purpose on Sept. 27, informing him of his termination by the use of a letter through which athletic director Alan Haller wrote that Tucker introduced “public disrespect, contempt and ridicule” upon the college along with his movements. 

In firing Tucker with purpose, Michigan State would possibly not be required to owe Tucker kind of $80 million that remained from a freelance extension that was once signed right through the 2021 season. Tucker guided the Spartans to 11 wins that season, together with a Peach Bowl victory towards Pitt.

Tucker was once 20-14 at Michigan State. The Spartans have since misplaced all 5 since Tucker was once suspended, together with a 49-0 house loss to rival Michigan in Week 8. Michigan State returns to motion at Minnesota in Week 9.