Board of Trustee Member Changes Course, Calls on MSU’s Simon to Resign

Despite a growing chorus of calls for Michigan State President Lou Anna Simon to step down over the school seemingly ignoring at least 14 reports that former sports physician Larry Nassar was abusing female athletes, the school’s Board of Trustees has continued to stand behind the embattled leader.

That changed late Saturday, when reports began to surface Mitch Lyons, a member of the Michigan State Board of Trustees, is now joining the calls for Simon to step down.

“As I expressed repeatedly to fellow board members during our discussion Friday, I don’t feel that President Simon can survive the public outcry that has been generated by this tragedy and even less so after hearing the testimony of these brave survivors of Larry Nassar’s abuse. I feel that our best recourse is for President Simon to resign immediately,” Lyons said in a statement.

According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Simon continues to operate under a recent statement, that read, in part, ” “I continue to appreciate the confidence of the board and the many people who have reached out to me, and to them, who have the best interests of MSU at heart. I have always done my best to lead MSU, and I will continue to do so today and tomorrow.”

Nassar’s sentencing hearing will continue this week. More than 100 people have spoken in court about Nassar’s unchecked abuse and the university’s lack of response to it.

Larissa Boyce is scheduled to speak today. She asked MSU pres Lou Anna Simon to attend in person as a favor. She says Simon told her she didn't think it would fit into her schedule.

Boyce is the woman who says she told MSU coach Kathie Klages about Nassar's abuse 20 years ago.

— Dan Murphy (@DanMurphyESPN) January 18, 2018