The NCAA has opened an investigation into Michigan State University's role in the Larry Nassar scandal.
This comes as the number of accusers is up to 265.
At the same time, ESPN reports allegations of a pattern of mishandled sexual assault cases involving Spartan football and basketball players – allegations that football coach Mark Dantonio and basketball coach Tom Izzo are still struggling to clearly address.
Chris Solari, a sports writer for the Detroit Free Press, joined Stateside to discuss the NCAA's jurisdiction over MSU, and the responsibilities of Mark Dantonio and Tom Izzo as the public faces of the university.
Listen to the full conversation above, or read highlights below.
"The Michigan State case is so different and complex," Solari said. "It involves at least a dozen Michigan State athletes who’ve come forward as victims in the Larry Nassar case. Obviously, there have been a number of underage individuals involved in the Larry Nassar situation. Some of those things happened away from Michigan, some happened on Michigan State's campus, some happened at his home.
"But those are different than where the NCAA could find jurisdiction for the health and safety of student-athletes. That’s the key question. The NCAA doesn’t usually use that as a primary reason to investigate a program. This is kind of a watershed moment for the NCAA in using that clause and using that bylaw to look into Michigan State and did they protect the student-athletes from an employee who’s a doctor."
For the full conversation, listen above.
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