Michigan State clarifies timing, decision-making on Mel Tucker accusations, investigation

Michigan State has released a statement clarifying when it became aware of the allegations of sexual harassment against football coach Mel Tucker. The statement comes after an article from USA Today reported that the Spartans were aware of the complaint in December, though they didn’t know the details of the case.

The school corroborated those reports with a joint statement from interim president Teresa K. Woodruff and the Board of Trustees. According to Woodruff, the Board did not learn the details until the news broke Sunday. She added that it is protocol in such cases, and the proper procedures were followed.

“The MSU board of trustees was notified in December 2022 that there was a complaint filed against Mel Tucker,” the statement read. “The MSU administration did not provide the Board details of the allegation or the identity of the claimant at any time during the ongoing investigation, following MSU protocol and best practices for RVSM-related cases.

“Further, the Board was advised that the appropriate interim and personnel measures regarding Mel Tucker were put into place at that time. The Board found out greater details surrounding the case via the media stories breaking on Sept. 10.”

Michigan State announced Sunday evening that Tucker had been suspended without pay. The statement went on to say that the Trustees will be provided a final report of the investigation into the football coach once it is complete.

“In according with state law, Trustees are provided final reports of Title IX and RVSM matters pertaining to employees once the entire case resolution and all appeals processes are completed,” it read. “The investigation involving Mel Tucker is still ongoing.”

More details on the allegations against Mel Tucker

Tracy and Tucker first developed a professional working relationship over the course of a few months, with her work advocating against sexual violence getting an additional platform at Michigan State.

According to ESPN, Tracy visited Michigan State in August 2021 and April 2022 to speak to the football team about preventing sexual misconduct. Tracy is a vocal advocate against sexual violence and has spoken to dozens of football programs around the country in recent years.

After her April visit to Michigan State, Tracy reportedly received multiple calls from Tucker asking to meet up. According to her complaint, a phone call on April 28, 2022 from Tucker included several sexual comments to her and Tucker masturbating while on the phone.

Tracy, who is a rape survivor, told USA Today that the idea someone would “re-inflict that trauma on me is so disgusting to me, it’s hard for me to even wrap my mind around it.”

Mel Tucker, meanwhile, told Title IX investigators that the relationship was “mutually consensual” and characterized the phone call as “phone sex,” according to the USA Today report.