Brenda Tracy, a prominent rape survivor and advocate, has accused Michigan State University’s head football coach, Mel Tucker, of making sexual comments and masturbating without her consent during a phone call. Tracy filed a complaint with the university’s Title IX office in December, which remains under investigation.
According to Tracy, the incident occurred during a phone call on April 28, 2022, and she described feeling frozen while Tucker allegedly made sexual comments and masturbated, triggering painful memories of her past trauma. Tucker has acknowledged masturbating on the call but claims it was consensual “phone sex,” which Tracy disputes.
An outside Title IX attorney conducted an investigation, and a formal hearing is scheduled for October 5 and 6 to determine if Tucker violated the school’s policy on sexual harassment and exploitation. Tracy fears Tucker is trying to ruin her career and reputation. Hours after USA TODAY published its investigation, Michigan State University suspended Tucker without pay pending the resolution of the Title IX case.
