University of Florida (UF)
At UF, men’s basketball coach Todd Golden faces serious allegations of sexual harassment, stalking, and exploitation. As detailed in a Title IX complaint filed on September 27, the accusations against Golden include sending unsolicited explicit photos, aggressively targeting students on social media, and engaging in stalking.
The Independent Flordia Alligator reported that two women spoke out anonymously, confirming Golden’s inappropriate behavior. One woman described being stalked in person and receiving explicit photos while the team was on the road, while both women noted Golden’s aggressive Instagram stalking, such as liking and unliking posts to get attention. They also accused him of using manipulative tactics, calling them “his drug” or “his good luck charm.”
Golden, denying the claims, said on X, “I have recently engaged Ken Turkel to advise me on my ability to bring defamation claims while this confidential investigation is ongoing. My family and I appreciate the support we have received and remain confident the university will continue its efforts to finish its review promptly.”
Between August and September, Golden unfollowed numerous women on Instagram, many with no ties to the basketball program, accoridng to reports, and women reported that Golden blocked them only after being informed that UF was investigating his actions. Both women also allege that two UF staff members were complicit in Golden’s misconduct. If proven the accusations are proven true, Golden could be fired with cause. For now, the investigation is ongoing, and Golden remains the head coach of the program.
Michigan State University (MSU)
MSU’s reputation was damaged by former head football coach Mel Tucker, who was fired in September of 2023 following allegations of sexual misconduct brought forward by Brenda Tracy, a sexual assault awareness speaker. Tracy, whose activism against sexual violence began after she came forward with her own story of being gang-raped by college football players in 1998, claimed that Tucker masturbated without her consent during a phone call in April 2022. Tucker denied the allegations, asserting that their interactions were consensual, and his lawyer noted that the two had a personal relationship.
The story bleeds into this year, however, because in July Tucker filed suit against MSU, alleging that university officials violated his rights to due process and equal protection and his employment agreement with the school. Then, in October, Tracy filed a suit against Tucker, accusing him of permanently tarnishing her name and reputation by falsely claiming they had a mutual romantic relationship.
[RELATED: Out of Bounds: Sexual Misconduct Allegations Rock UF Basketball]
University of Michigan
Under head coach Jim Harbaugh, University of Michigan football has faced multiple scandals, including a sign-stealing scandal and recruiting infractions. The allegations involve staff attending opponents’ games to decode play signals, which the NCAA prohibits. Investigators also uncovered violations during the COVID-19 dead period, with impermissible in-person recruiting and non-coaching staff engaging in coaching activities, violating NCAA rules.
Harbaugh himself has come under fire for his role in these incidents. The NCAA accused him of failing to maintain compliance and not cooperating fully with the investigation. As a result, Harbaugh was suspended for the first three games of the 2023 season due to his involvement in recruiting infractions, marking a significant blow to his credibility and leadership. These actions have fueled discussions about accountability within Michigan’s athletic program.
In August 2024, the NCAA first issued a Notice of Allegations to Michigan for a sign-stealing scandal. Despite his denials of wrongdoing and his assertion of personal integrity, emphasized by his statement, “Never lie. Never cheat. Never steal.” Harbaugh departed Michigan in January 2024 to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. His departure has not quelled scrutiny, as the NCAA investigation remains active, with Michigan still expected to respond to formal allegations.
University of Illinois Springfield
In July 2024, the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) became the focus of a serious abuse case involving its head golf coach. The allegations, brought forward by former athletes, claim that the coach engaged in inappropriate behavior, including verbal and emotional abuse, toward team members. The coach’s actions were reported to have caused significant distress and negatively affected the well-being of the athletes involved. UIS administrators are conducting an internal review of the matter, and the coach has been placed on leave pending further investigation. This case underscores the importance of establishing comprehensive mental health support and creating a culture where emotional and verbal abuse is swiftly addressed, ensuring the well-being of all student-athletes.
[RELATED: DEI: Distraction, Evasion, and Incompetence at the University of Illinois Springfield]
The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR)
The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) faced serious Title IX compliance issues in May related to its athletic department, with allegations of gender discrimination against female athletes. These issues were detailed in a 2019 federal investigation prompted by a complaint about inadequate facilities, recruiting resources, and other disparities between men’s and women’s teams. Among the most egregious examples, Nevada’s softball team was housed in a converted shipping container without running water, while the women’s soccer, track, and cross-country teams shared a single locker room with visiting football teams. Female athletes also received lower allowances for food and endured less favorable travel conditions than their male counterparts.
According to Jacoby, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights launched an investigation into Nevada athletics in 2019 for allegedly violating Title IX. Despite the external scrutiny, Jacoby noted that the school’s top officials, including the university president, did little to address the disparities. This lack of action has contributed to a culture where women’s athletics are undervalued, and resources and opportunities for female athletes continue to fall short.
The case has got so-called diversity experts to speak out. Elizabeth Taylor, a professor at Temple University who specializes in diversity and inclusion in sports, pointed out that when university leaders send a message that women’s programs are less important, female athletes begin to accept this treatment as the norm. “It forces women to wonder why they would continue to report or try to fight in a system where they’re not supported,” Taylor told USA TODAY. “So they just continue to operate in these spaces where they are mistreated.”
One of the fundamental questions raised in cases like UNR’s is whether disparities in funding and resources can be justified by differences in revenue generation between men’s and women’s sports. While men’s teams often generate more revenue, some may argue that Title IX mandates gender equity regardless of financial performance and that using revenue as an excuse for unequal treatment ignores the law’s intent to ensure fairness. For instance, USA Today’s report noted that even with outside oversight, the university’s leadership failed to act decisively to address disparities, underscoring a lack of institutional commitment to gender equity tuition at UNR, underscoring the broader need for stricter enforcement of Title IX and stronger leadership to prioritize female athletes.
Final Thoughts
Scandals at the University of Florida, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), and the University of Nevada, Reno reveal systemic failures in college athletics, where success often eclipses athlete well-being and ethical standards. Allegations of abuse, misconduct, and rule violations point to weak oversight and accountability, eroding trust in the integrity of college sports. A cultural shift prioritizing transparency, ethics, and athlete safety is essential to restore faith and protect the future of collegiate athletics.
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Image by dennizn — Adobe Stock — Asset ID#: 35617286
This article was originally published at www.mindingthecampus.org
