Michigan State coach Mel Tucker responded on Monday to the sexual harassment allegations that led to his suspension. In the almost-two-page document released by attorney Jennifer Z. Belveal, Tucker claims that his encounters with Brenda Tracy — a prominent activist against sexual violence — were “mutual” and “private.”
“Brenda Tracy’s allegations of harassment are completely false,” Tucker said. “The proceedings initiated by Ms. Tracy are devoid of any semblance of fairness for any matter of this importance, and the University’s ‘hearing’ scheduled for October 5-6 is so flawed that there is no other opportunity for the truth to come out. That is why I share some truth with you now.”
According to Tucker, he developed a friendship with Tracy in summer 2021 when she gave a presentation at Michigan State. Tucker claims that the friendship “grew into an intimate, adult relationship,” while revealing that he and his wife were estranged at the time.
Tucker and Tracy engaged in “dozens of calls” from fall 2021 to winter 2022, many of which Tucker claims were initiated by Tracy late at night. Tucker claims Tracy “encouraged our personal relationship” by “inviting and accepting gifts from me.” The gifts…
