Dozens of more victims who claim to have been sexually abused by a University of Michigan doctor filed a lawsuit against the school on Thursday, including a former soccer player who said he told legendary coach Bo Schembechler about the abuse early in the 1980s.
It is the first time that a victim has publicly said that Schembechler was aware of the allegations against the late Dr. Robert Anderson, who worked in Michigan, especially with athletes, from the mid-1960s to 2003.
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The university believes Anderson assaulted male athletes during routine physicals and injury screenings. So far, it has hired a law firm to investigate nearly 400 complaints and at the same time is willing to compensate victims.
“Shame does not belong to survivors,” said attorney Steve Estey. “He belongs to the University of Michigan. And we intend to put the shame back where it belongs, with UM for failing to protect its students and athletes.”
The latest lawsuit lists 53 victims.
A soccer player said he told Schembechler in 1982 and 1983 that Anderson had sexually abused him during migraine dating. He said the coach told him to report it immediately to sports director Don Canham.
Schembechler was “visibly angry,” the man told reporters on Thursday, adding that he went to Canham, which “did nothing.”
The man said he has no grudge against Schembechler, who died in 2006, or his staff. The Associated Press does not usually identify victims of sexual assault.
“I feel horrible for Coach Schembechler. I will defend that man until the day of my death, ”said the man. “If they could go ahead and stop this and throw Canham literally or figuratively against the wall and say, ‘This has to end,’ they would have done it.”
“Times were totally different when a man was in charge. … Protecting the institution was what Don was all about. Protecting his good name was what Don was all about. Protecting his ego was what Don Canham was all about, ”he said.
Other athletes have accused Canham of knowing about Anderson’s abuse. Canham died in 2005. Schembechler was a coach from 1969-89.
“At the University of Michigan, we condemn all sexual misconduct,” said spokeswoman Kim Broekhuizen in response to the latest lawsuit. “This type of behavior is reprehensible, and if it is done now or in the past, it is unacceptable.”
