Baylor Scandal: An Unreal Solution to a Very Real Problem 

The media needs more people like Katie, unafraid to speak up about important issues within sports. It's atrocious that there isn't. And then of course gets labeled as a feminist for bringing light on the subject. wtf?? Keep up the good work, Nolan.

Incredibly well said Katie

The only way the schools will start to take these things seriously is if the suspension of the program is a possible consequence. For example, if Baylor University loses their football program for 1-2 years because of this, I guarantee other schools will get their shit together.

This is why the police, not universities should handle all sexual assault claims. But thanks to the Department of Education and its ridiculous interpretation of Title IX they're handled by totally incapable campus bureaucrats instead of trained professionals.

Give this woman an Emmy. What's that? She already has one? Then give her another one, damn it!

The irony isn’t lost upon us when Nolan proposes an outrageous solution to the ugly non-solutions that NCAA football has repeatedly committed in the past. The irony is the lightest moment in this very good commentary. It’s sad that to see the best of Nolan, we have to see her comment on the absolute worst of society. Her monologues of deep social issues, which includes the terrible consequences to female victims of abuse are very relevant, revealing, and forceful in her conviction of giving a voice of reason to disturbing events. Nolan comes prepared in this tidy monologue. In it, she reveals that she read the complaints, shows us surreal news footage of networks praising this asshole coach, and chronicles the events in order. Some tongue-and-cheek light humor is thrown in on this ugly, extremely disturbing, and dark story. Nolan brings up the 6 women who were victims of sexual assault and in doing so, we get the weight of this abuse that kills human dignity, destroys trust, and makes innocence a casualty. Let me take the liberties in explaining acquaintance rape, which is the most common in our society. 91% of rape cases fall under this category. For decades upon decades, we have been fooled into thinking that almost all forms of sexual assault occur when the perpetrator does not know the victim. For example, Hollywood, media, and other outlets have made it appear that sexual assault occurs “behind the alley” or in “dark parking garages,” when in reality this is the farthest thing from the truth. Acquaintance rape is a crime like none other. Unlike burglary or embezzlement or any other felony, the victim often comes under more suspicion than the alleged perpetrator. This is especially true if the victim is sexually active; if she had been drinking prior to the assault-and if the man she accuses plays on a popular sports team (mostly football at the NCAA level). For a woman in this situation, the pain of being forced into sex against her will is only the beginning of her ordeal. If she decides to go to the police, under-trained officers sometimes ask if she has a boyfriend, implying that she is covering up infidelity. She is told rape is extremely difficult to prove, and repeatedly asked if she really wants to press charges. If she does want to charge her assailant, district attorneys frequently refuse to prosecute. If the assailant is indicted, even though victim’s name is supposed to be kept confidential, rumors start in the community and on social media, labeling her a slut, unbalanced, and an attention-seeker. The tiny vanishingly small, but highly publicized incidents of false accusations are used to dismiss her claims in the press. If the case goes to trial, the woman’s entire personal life often becomes fair game for the defense attorneys. This brutal reality goes a long way towards explaining why acquaintance rape is the most underreported crime in America. In addition to physical trauma, its victims often suffer devastating psychological damage that leads to feelings of shame, emotional paralysis and stigmatization. PTSD rates for rape victims are estimated to be 70%, higher than soldiers returning from war. College-age women are not raped because they are promiscuous, or drunk, or send mixed signals, or feel guilty about casual sex, or seek attention. They are the victims of a terrible crime and deserving of compassion from society and fairness from a justice system that is clearly broken and in favor of the men who are guilty of a very heinous crime. We have bestowed elite status on athletes and athletics in our culture. We have made athletes a kind of royal class in our culture. NCAA athletes are untouchable and because student football (other sports, too) athletes consider themselves above the laws-we have created an atmosphere where criminality can thrive. The athletes do not do this all by themselves. With the help of coaches and rabid fan bases, many athletes repeatedly commit crimes, many of which were violent crimes, with impunity. Their crimes are covered up and excused. In reality, athletes are treated as a special class of their own, free from being held accountable by our society and culture. Historians, one hundred years from now, are going to look back at this age and time we live in and wonder about this horrible immorality we have allowed. They will look and see how we have torn asunder human dignity, human spirit, and human life … all in the name of greed, money, and especially wins. What does that say about us as a society, a culture? Are we that willing to annihilate innocent human lives for the sake of wins (at all costs)? "Women don't get raped because they were drinking or took drugs. Women do not get raped because they weren't careful enough. Women get raped because someone raped them ~ Jessica Valenti

Outside investigator = police doing their jobs and "school administrators" getting the heck out of the way. As a Penn State alumus and human being, I am ashamed and sickened by how our inactions are leading to the victim count piling up

I was born on the campus of Ohio State. It's all about protecting the institution and keeping the money coming in. Whether it is Baylor, Penn State, or The Catholic Church, protect the institution regardless of the cost. Many will victim shame because that is easier than facing up to reality or losing the huge amounts of money involved.

Questions from an european: Did no player at all get punished? What about a regular lawsuit outside of the college? Its like they live in a different world. How can there still be a single player on this team?

Cannot believe Baylor has not fired Bethany McCraw, she is till there www.baylor.edu/studentconduct/index.php?id=952804 also whenever I posted this link, Baylor is switching McCraw's link on their website

Just for general FYI, Keith Murphy wasn't defending Briles; it was a setup for his condemnation.

Harbaugh, Meyer and Saban thumbed up this idea.

Great piece Katie. It's sad how all levels try to sweep this under the carpet. And the NCAA prez say's "not my problem." BTW, the CA pool thing... ever had a California burrito with extra spicy hot sauce?

Read a few articles on this the past couple of days. This shit needs to change. I wish this segment could go on the news...or you go on the news and tell it. But of course, you'll be labeled a feminist, which is bad these days, and that will cue the "males" to assert their dominance over you. Keep the great segments coming, Katie. You and your team are awesome.

Ugh. A story like this makes me furious and despondent at the same time. Disgusting that this sort of thing happens and that people are so awful at dealing with it. The media reporting on it was, as you spot-on pointed out, was similarly awful. How does someone at arms length from college sports like me *not* imagine that this thing happens at every athletic university? How can we have any faith in the collegiate athletics system whatsoever?

Here is the plan, the female who is making the allegations goes to law enforcement. I am not talking campus security either. I am talking you go down to the sheriff's department and make a complaint. why the sheriff's department? the sheriff's is the senior law enforcement officer for the county which the school resides and the county is where the prosecution charges criminals. Universities should not be allowed to conduct investigations for criminal activity. Rape unfortunately is the most difficult crime to prosecute because many times there is no or little evidenced to support a case. if it comes down to she said vs he said the case will most likely not go to trial.

Sports are mere entertainment which has no place in an academic institution, but jock sniffers spend a lot of money.

I'm a fan of giving Baylor football the death penalty,you know, like they gave SMU but for a whole lot less than what happened at Baylor.

Stay safe Katie!!

Well played Katie.

I'm a little confused. I thought the legal system would be the most appropriate folks to handle lawbreakers. Sexual assault is illegal, so try the police instead of the football coach. This seems obvious to me. Please, what am I not understanding?

Pretty, Much Wow.

They need the death penalty but I don't see the NCAA doing that again after what happened to SMU

listen I IKNOW that some of this rape culture is fake. I know what "louder with Crowder" says. BUT...there are way too many clean and clear cut accusations by credible woman AND their are way too much evidence of completed COURT TRIALS that do convict many college football players. Penn State, Missouri, Baylor...come on! Sorry to break the news to you, but look at your average football TV commercial. How do they portray women? Come on. College and Pro football and football coaches are misogynist "jocks" that have been brought up t demean women and promote rape and sex for women as rewards for the "Viking mentality" of the sports "hero". This is obvious. No, not all Football stars are rapists. But the evidence on college campuses speak for themselves.