53 new lawsuits were filed against Michigan on Thursday morning stemming from alleged abuse in the athletic department.
DETROIT (AP) — Dozens of more victims who claim they were molested by a University of Michigan doctor filed a lawsuit against the school Thursday, including a former football player who said he told legendary coach Bo Schembechler about the abuse in the early 1980s.
It’s the first time that a victim has publicly said Schembechler was aware of allegations against the late Dr. Robert Anderson, who worked at Michigan, especially with athletes, from the mid-1960s through 2003.
The university believes Anderson assaulted male athletes during routine physicals and injury exams. It has hired a law firm to investigate hundreds of complaints while expressing a willingness to ultimately compensate victims.
“The shame doesn’t belong with survivors,” attorney Steve Estey said. "It belongs with the University of Michigan. And we intend to put the shame back where it belongs, with U-M for failing to protect its students and athletes.”
The latest lawsuit lists 53 victims. An email seeking comment was sent to the university.
A football player said he told Schembechler in 1982 and 1983 that he was sexually abused by Anderson during appointments for migraine headaches. He said the coach told him to immediately report it to athletic director Don Canham.
Schembechler was “visibly angry,” the man said Thursday, adding that Canham “did nothing.”
Other athletes have accused Canham of knowing about Anderson's abuse. Canham died in 2005.
Schembechler was coach from 1969-89. He died in 2006.