Michigan Settles Ex-Sports Doctor Abuse Case For $490M

The University of Michigan agreed to a $490 million settlement following sexual assault accusations from 1,050 people against former school sports physician Dr. Robert Anderson.

Each accuser will reportedly receive an average of $438,000, with $30 million of the settlement total set aside for any future accusers.

Anderson, who died in 2008, spent nearly four decades at the school, working as both a physician for multiple athletic programs including the football team, as well as director of the university’s Health Service. 

After accusations resurfaced from former wrestler Tad DeLuca, the school hired WilmerHale law firm in March 2020 to investigate. The firm’s May 2021 report found that staff missed a number of opportunities to stop the misconduct over Anderson’s career.

• WilmerHale found evidence of reported concerns, complaints, and rumors in the athletic department.
• Athletic trainer Paul Schmidt, two former track coaches, a university psychologist, and former football coach Bo Schembechler, who died in 2006, were reportedly all aware of allegations. 
• Schembechler’s son Matt accused Anderson of molesting him at age 10, but his father didn’t believe him.

Campus Culture

University of Michigan president Mark Schlissel was fired over the weekend following an alleged “inappropriate relationship with a university employee.”

Keith Moree and Robert Stone, two of the men who accused Anderson of sexual assault, told reporters Tuesday that the school is “ripe for change.” Stone added, “If this continues, a degree from the University of Michigan is just going to be an embarrassment.”