New NY Times piece on Dr. Anderson abuse

Submitted by Davy Found on May 25th, 2020 at 4:28 PM

Today's piece is really a tough one, especially as someone who loves the University so deeply, but helps crystallize for me the details of what happened... and its lingering effects. Chuck Christian, who helped Michigan win a Rose Bowl for Bo, shares the story of the abuse he and his teammates suffered from Dr. Anderson, and how it has affected him catastrophically in recent years. Not a fun read, but an essential one.

While it makes me really sad to know that a predator like this could have worked in this capacity at UM -- and likely with some layer of institutional protection, cover-up, and support -- I think what distinguishes UM from other schools is what might (and must) happen next: The school meeting the facts of the case head-on, acknowledging any complicity without spin, dealing fairly with the victims, and doing everything in its power to ensure nothing like this ever happens again at our school. THAT is the Michigan difference. 

Blue_by_U

May 25th, 2020 at 6:40 PM ^

My concern is focus on criminalising those still around who were involved, assisting those affected by Anderson and doing the right thing to ensure it can't happen again...what we need to avoid is demonizing those trying to rectify and do the right things. Placing blame on Schlissel or Warde Manuel (who was an athlete when this all happened) is futile. The focus needs to be on correction and healing not attacking anyone associated with athletics in a lump sum.

Germany_Schulz

May 25th, 2020 at 7:24 PM ^

I question MOTIVES at all times. 

What's the motive of the article, especially publishing/posting today?

This is hardly "new news" - so, why today on Memorial Day?  

Is the author (Alan Blinder) an alum of.... gasp, ALABAMA

I wonder if Blinder had a ROLL TIDE shirt in his dorm room. 

And no disrespect, but WHY post a link to a negative article on UM on a pro-UM blog?

Do msu blogs continually provoke new articles and information on Nassar? 

If you really "love the University so deeply" -

- - wouldn't you NOT post a click-bait NY Times article that downtroddens the University here? 

It's like Rosenberg or Niyo (who WENT to UM and wrote for the Michigan Daily) continually writing negative articles about the University of Michigan sports programs.  Do they have any loyalty?  

Are they bitter little twerps?  

I just don't get it. 

Maybe when we win a football Big Ten championship, in the locker room - somebody can kick over the trophy and say "we're a sullied football program from our past and we didn't at the time destroy Dr. Andersen so, we will forever be tarnished" and everybody hang their heads.  

Is that your goal?  

GO BLUE. 

PS - Memorial Day for me was re-watching 1995, 1996, 1997 Michigan wins over ohio.  

lhglrkwg

May 25th, 2020 at 8:12 PM ^

Yeah, this exact line of logic is probably how Anderson and others of his ilk have been able to run amok for so long "Now you wouldn't want to hurt this institution by making this public...would you?"

Blue_by_U

May 25th, 2020 at 8:44 PM ^

Maybe a bit sensitive. But it's ironic ...certain media are "banned" conversation here due to their continual inflammatory stories regarding Michigan...and the responses here your assume you posted the freep...I get your point, I don't think anyone is attempting to hide anything, the University is pretty transparent and dealing  with it the best they can but a need to destroy the athletic department over it seems a bit over the top.

Blue_by_U

May 25th, 2020 at 10:42 PM ^

Yeah I get that Stig, I also see part of what was being said... everyone deals with it differently, it's being handled by the AD and University the best way possible considering most major players are dead. Is what it is sadly

Bo Harbaugh

May 25th, 2020 at 9:04 PM ^

Absolutely horrifying.  Tragic what happened to Chuck as well as the other victims. I plead that the University leaves no stone unturned and is completely transparent, but I fear that the litigious/institutional/capital protecting norms of our society will outweigh morality here.  

As a fanbase, however, we can at least behave and respond as humanely as possible, ie, don't follow the Penn State play book.  

highlow

May 25th, 2020 at 10:41 PM ^

Even in maximum cynic mode, I'm not sure the University would want to go full defense here. The statute of limitations defense seems solid, and there's (presumably) nobody really in power who would be burned by a full Anderson investigation. Schlissel, Warde, Harbaugh, and whomever else came in far after he left, I imagine. 

JPC

May 26th, 2020 at 1:04 PM ^

In reality, what could they say? They either knew or heard something about it, or they didn’t. One option connects the current AD/Coach to long ago bad deeds and the other adds no value. 

Jimmyisgod

May 26th, 2020 at 9:50 AM ^

We should have known about this over 2 years ago, the only reason we know at all is because one of the survivors was told by the investigating detective that the only way this would see the light of day is if he went to the media.  This sat for 2 months before being referred to the proper authorities and then was kept quiet for 2 years.  Michigan did a terrible job up to now, so they should come up with a massive figure to compensate every victim or this will get worse and worse from a PR perspective.