COLUMBUS – Ohio State University says more than 100 former students have provided firsthand accounts of sexual misconduct by a now-dead team physician in an ongoing investigation.
Independent investigators are reviewing allegations against Richard Strauss involving male athletes from 14 sports and other students.
Former athletes say they verbally raised concerns about Strauss as early as 1978, near the start of his two decades at the university. Ohio State has said university officials’ response to concerns about Strauss is a key focus of the investigation.
University President Michael Drake said Friday more than 200 former students and university employees have been interviewed and investigators expect to conduct more than 100 additional interviews while remaining in regular communication with the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office.
“We are grateful to those who have come forward and remain deeply concerned for anyone who may have been affected by Dr. Strauss’ actions,” Drake said.
“We remain steadfastly committed to uncovering the truth,” he said.
Those interviewed include Republican Rep. Jim Jordan, who denies some wrestlers’ claims he knew about abuse while coaching at Ohio State.
Strauss killed himself in 2005. His relatives have said they were shocked by the allegations.
The allegations date from the period 1979 to 1997 and were reported confidentially to the investigative team by former students engaged in university athletics, including varsity men student-athletes in 14 sports, and by former patients of Student Health Services.
In August 1996, Strauss established a private medical office in Columbus, where individuals have reported that additional acts of sexual misconduct occurred.
The investigators are also looking into whether Strauss may have examined high school-aged students.