MSU athletic director Mark Hollis retires in wake of Larry Nassar scandal
While the sentencing of child sexual abuser Larry Nassar concluded on Wednesday, the fallout from the scandal is still ongoing. On Friday, Michigan State University athletic director Mark Hollis announced his retirement at an emotional news conference.
Hollis getting choked up: "It's been an absolute honor to guide the athletic department. Today, I'm announcing my retirement. … I'm not running away from anything. I'm running toward something. Comfort and compassion for the survivors. … Togetherness for my family."
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) January 26, 2018
Hollis: "I've always been a Spartan, and I always will be. It's been an absolute honor to guide the athletic dept for a decade." Announces his retirement.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 26, 2018
"We must listen and learn lessons. Only then can we truly begin the process of healing." Watch Friday's full statement from Mark Hollis, who retired as Michigan State AD. pic.twitter.com/MMjTPzf4nF
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 26, 2018
Hollis emphasized that he was not forced to retire or leave MSU, and that the decision was made by him and his wife, Nancy.
Hollis says he and his wife Nancy may help process of MSU healing. Says he was not asked to retired, nor was pressured "in any way" to retire. "This is a choice Nancy and I made. And we're gonna move forward with our lives and see what's around the corner."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 26, 2018
Why not stay on? Hollis was asked: "Because I care."
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) January 26, 2018
Hollis, who had been at MSU since 2008, also released a full statement on the MSU Athletics website. His retirement comes on the heels of the NCAA officially opening an investigation into the role MSU’s athletic department played in Larry Nassar’s years of abuse. Hollis told the Detroit Free Press on
Wednesday that he and the athletic department intend to fully cooperate.
“Since my first day on the job as athletic director, my focus has always been on the student-athlete. They are at the core of our athletic department mission statement,” Hollis said. “Our first priority has always been and will always be their health and safety. In regards to the letter we received from the NCAA last night, the athletic compliance and university general counsel offices are preparing a comprehensive response.”
At his news conference, Hollis said that his retirement doesn’t change his plan to cooperate with the NCAA’s investigation.
Hollis' voice cracking as he is delivering his statement. "Let me be clear, in retirement, I will fully cooperate" with investigations into MSU by NCAA and Michigan attorney general office.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) January 26, 2018
Hollis also said that he didn’t recall ever meeting Larry Nassar, which is consistent with what he told police. However, he revealed some disturbing information about former MSU gymnastics coach Kathie Klages, and her support of Nassar.
Hollis on conversation w/Kathie Klages before retirement: She was "extremely vocal in her support (of Nassar) to the point of writing sympathy cards. When I was given that information by our general counsel as a result of the police investigation, the conversation was very short.
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) January 26, 2018
Klages retired in February 2017 after several women revealed that Klages had discouraged them from reporting their concerns with Nassar’s treatment.
Hollis’ departure from MSU is the latest high profile staffing change at the school. On Wednesday, Michigan State University president Lou Anna Simon announced her resignation. And things could finally be changing at USA Gymnastics as well — the US Olympic Committee told USAG on Thursday that the entire 21-member board must resign in the next six days, or USAG will be decertified.
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Liz Roscher is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at lizroscher@yahoo.com or follow her on twitter! Follow @lizroscher
