Larry Nassar: The Disgraced USA Gymnastics Doctor

Larry Nassar was a former USA Gymnastics national team doctor who was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for sexually assaulting young female athletes under his care. The case gained national attention and sparked a conversation about the need for better protection for athletes and victims of sexual abuse.

Nassar’s abuse went on for decades, with many of his victims being too afraid to speak out against him. The case gained momentum in 2016 when former gymnast Rachael Denhollander came forward with her story. More than 150 women and girls eventually came forward with similar allegations against Nassar, revealing a pattern of abuse that had been covered up by USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University, where Nassar also worked. The case led to the resignation of top officials at both institutions and sparked a national conversation about the need for better protection for athletes and victims of sexual abuse.

Early Life and Education

Larry Nassar was born on August 16, 1963, in Farmington Hills, Michigan. He grew up in a family of five children, with his father being a urologist and his mother a homemaker. Nassar attended North Farmington High School, where he was a talented gymnast. He then went on to study kinesiology at the University of Michigan, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1985.

After completing his undergraduate studies, Nassar went on to pursue a career in medicine. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Michigan State University in 1993. During his time at Michigan State, Nassar also completed a residency in family practice and a fellowship in sports medicine.

In addition to his medical training, Nassar was also a highly accomplished gymnastics coach. He began coaching at a young age and went on to coach at various levels, including high school, club, and collegiate. He was also heavily involved in the USA Gymnastics organization, serving as the national team physician for nearly twenty years.

Overall, Nassar’s early life and education laid the foundation for his career in medicine and gymnastics. His passion for both fields would ultimately lead him down a path that would have a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals.

Career at Michigan State University

Larry Nassar began working at Michigan State University (MSU) in 1997 as an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology. He later became an associate professor and was appointed as the team physician for the university’s gymnastics and women’s crew teams. Nassar was also a doctor at the university’s sports medicine clinic.

During his time at MSU, Nassar was highly regarded by many, including athletes, coaches, and colleagues. He was known for his expertise in sports medicine and was a sought-after speaker at conferences and events.

However, Nassar’s reputation was tarnished when allegations of sexual abuse began to surface in 2016. It was later revealed that he had been abusing young female athletes under the guise of medical treatment for years.

MSU faced criticism for its handling of the allegations against Nassar. Some argued that the university failed to take appropriate action despite receiving reports of his misconduct. In 2018, the university agreed to a $500 million settlement with the victims of Nassar’s abuse.

Despite the controversy surrounding Nassar’s time at MSU, it is important to note that he was not the only individual responsible for his actions. The university has since implemented changes to its policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Involvement with USA Gymnastics

Appointment

Larry Nassar began working with USA Gymnastics in 1986 as a trainer and continued to work with the organization for over two decades. In 1996, he was appointed as the national team physician, a position he held until 2015. During this time, he also worked with athletes at Michigan State University.

Nassar gained a reputation as a respected doctor and was trusted by many athletes and their families. He was known for his innovative techniques and was widely regarded as an expert in the field of sports medicine.

Allegations of Abuse

In 2015, allegations of abuse against Nassar began to surface. The first public accusation came from former gymnast Rachael Denhollander, who claimed that Nassar had sexually abused her during medical treatments when she was 15 years old.

Over the next few years, more than 500 women and girls came forward with similar allegations of abuse. Many of them stated that Nassar had abused them under the guise of medical treatment, using his position of authority to gain their trust and manipulate them.

In 2017, Nassar was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison on child pornography charges. He was later sentenced to an additional 40 to 175 years in state prison for sexual assault. The scandal led to widespread criticism of USA Gymnastics and calls for reform within the organization.

Overall, Nassar’s involvement with USA Gymnastics was marked by both success and tragedy. While he was once regarded as a respected doctor and expert in his field, his actions have since tarnished his reputation and cast a shadow over the organization he worked with for so many years.

Investigations and Trials

Initial Investigation

In 2016, Rachael Denhollander was the first person to publicly accuse Larry Nassar of sexual abuse. Her allegations prompted Michigan State University (MSU) to launch an internal investigation, which led to Nassar’s termination from his position as a sports medicine doctor. In addition, the FBI opened an investigation into Nassar’s conduct.

Criminal Trials

In 2017, Nassar was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and child pornography. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for child pornography and an additional 40 to 175 years in state prison for sexual assault. In 2018, Nassar was sentenced to an additional 40 to 125 years in state prison after pleading guilty to seven counts of sexual assault.

Civil Lawsuits

As of 2023, more than 500 women and girls have filed civil lawsuits against Nassar, MSU, and other organizations associated with Nassar’s abuse. In 2018, MSU agreed to pay $500 million to settle the lawsuits. In addition, USA Gymnastics reached a $215 million settlement with the victims.

Despite the investigations and trials, questions have been raised about the handling of Nassar’s abuse by MSU, USA Gymnastics, and other organizations. The fallout from Nassar’s abuse has led to changes in policies and procedures aimed at preventing sexual abuse in sports.

Impact on Gymnastics and Society

Effect on USA Gymnastics

Larry Nassar’s actions have had a significant impact on USA Gymnastics. The organization has faced a lot of criticism for its handling of the abuse allegations, and many people have called for changes to be made. In 2018, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) threatened to revoke USA Gymnastics’ status as the governing body for gymnastics in the United States if they didn’t make significant changes.

As a result, USA Gymnastics has made several changes to its policies and procedures. They have implemented new training programs for coaches and athletes to recognize and report abuse, as well as new policies for handling abuse allegations. They have also established a Safe Sport department to handle abuse cases and ensure athlete safety.

Changes in Sexual Abuse Policies

Larry Nassar’s case has also had an impact on sexual abuse policies in sports organizations across the world. The case has brought attention to the issue of sexual abuse in sports, and many organizations have been forced to re-evaluate their policies and procedures.

In the United States, the Safe Sport Act was passed in 2017, which requires all amateur sports organizations that participate in interstate or international competitions to implement policies and procedures to prevent and respond to abuse. The act also established the Center for SafeSport, an independent organization responsible for investigating and resolving abuse cases.

In addition, many sports organizations have implemented new training programs and policies to prevent and respond to abuse. For example, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has established a toolkit for preventing and responding to abuse in sports, which provides guidelines and resources for sports organizations around the world.

Overall, Larry Nassar’s actions have had a significant impact on the gymnastics community and sports organizations around the world. While the case has brought attention to the issue of sexual abuse in sports, it has also led to important changes in policies and procedures to prevent and respond to abuse.

Personal Life

Larry Nassar was born on August 16, 1963, in Farmington Hills, Michigan. He grew up in a family of six children and was the youngest of his siblings. His father, Fred Nassar, was a tool and die maker, and his mother, Mary Nassar, was a homemaker.

Nassar was married to Stephanie Lynn Anderson in 1996, and they had three children together. The couple divorced in 2017, shortly before Nassar’s arrest.

Outside of his work as a doctor, Nassar was an avid runner and participated in multiple marathons and triathlons. He was also involved in coaching gymnastics, which he began in his teenage years and continued throughout his life.

In addition to his coaching and medical work, Nassar was involved in various volunteer efforts, including working with the Special Olympics and providing medical care to the United States Olympic teams.

Overall, Nassar’s personal life was characterized by his dedication to his family, his passion for running and coaching, and his commitment to helping others through his medical expertise and volunteer work.