For what it's worth, AD Jim Sterk sent an email to every Missouri student-athlete this morning in response to the Larry Nassar situation at Michigan State. Sterk says in the email that he plans to meet with teams individually, and he urges student-athletes who would like to discuss the issue to seek out the department's two resident psychologists: Dr. Debbie Wright and Dr. Greg Holliday.
While Sterk didn't explicitly mention the Terrance Phillips situation, it seems probable that he is seeking to assure everyone in the department that, in light of those allegations and the Nassar thing, he is being proactive in vetting the athletics department for any manner of sexual misconduct.
Here is the entire text of the email:
Good morning. I feel compelled to reach out to each and every one of our Mizzou student-athletes in the wake of the recent criminal conviction of Larry Nassar, a sports medicine physician associated with Michigan State University and other organizations, who has been found guilty of federal child pornography and criminal sexual conduct charges. Nassar was entrusted to provide medical care to athletes, primarily gymnasts, and has a lengthy history of intentionally preying on young, trusting athletes. His conduct demonstrates a blatant and egregious abuse of power; the depth and breadth of which is incomprehensible.
Many of you are aware of discussions I have already had with the SAAC and SAFE leadership groups, our head coaches and staff, about WIN It RIGHT and the type of positive culture it supports. I will be meeting with each of your teams in the future, too, and while I intend to address the Nassar issues personally when I meet with individual teams, I feel strongly compelled to send an email now.
We are privileged to have our student-athletes entrust their care and development to our staff. Our department carries forward the University of Missouri’s core values of respect, integrity, gratitude, humility and doing it all together. It is my highest priority that our environment be safe, and support excellence in every regard for each and every one of you.
If any of you would like to discuss your thoughts, feelings, reactions in the wake of the above criminal convictions, I encourage you to seek out Dr. Debbie Wright or Dr. Greg Holliday, your coach, athletic trainer or sport administrator.
M-I-Z – let’s Win It RIGHT!
While Sterk didn't explicitly mention the Terrance Phillips situation, it seems probable that he is seeking to assure everyone in the department that, in light of those allegations and the Nassar thing, he is being proactive in vetting the athletics department for any manner of sexual misconduct.
Here is the entire text of the email:
Good morning. I feel compelled to reach out to each and every one of our Mizzou student-athletes in the wake of the recent criminal conviction of Larry Nassar, a sports medicine physician associated with Michigan State University and other organizations, who has been found guilty of federal child pornography and criminal sexual conduct charges. Nassar was entrusted to provide medical care to athletes, primarily gymnasts, and has a lengthy history of intentionally preying on young, trusting athletes. His conduct demonstrates a blatant and egregious abuse of power; the depth and breadth of which is incomprehensible.
Many of you are aware of discussions I have already had with the SAAC and SAFE leadership groups, our head coaches and staff, about WIN It RIGHT and the type of positive culture it supports. I will be meeting with each of your teams in the future, too, and while I intend to address the Nassar issues personally when I meet with individual teams, I feel strongly compelled to send an email now.
We are privileged to have our student-athletes entrust their care and development to our staff. Our department carries forward the University of Missouri’s core values of respect, integrity, gratitude, humility and doing it all together. It is my highest priority that our environment be safe, and support excellence in every regard for each and every one of you.
If any of you would like to discuss your thoughts, feelings, reactions in the wake of the above criminal convictions, I encourage you to seek out Dr. Debbie Wright or Dr. Greg Holliday, your coach, athletic trainer or sport administrator.
M-I-Z – let’s Win It RIGHT!
