Independent review to investigate allegations against doctor who worked with IU men’s basketball
Indiana released the following statement Wednesday evening regarding a letter it received from legal counsel of a former men’s basketball student-athlete. The letter included allegations against Dr. Brad Bomba Sr., who worked as a contracted physician for IU athletic teams, including the men’s basketball program in the late 1990s.
The full statement is available below:
Indiana University maintains a core set of values that guide our actions in pursuit of our mission as the state of Indiana’s flagship university. Among those values are an unwavering commitment to integrity and ethical conduct, the relentless search for truth, a respect for the dignity of others, and accountability for the human resources and relationships entrusted to IU. It is these bedrock values that compel the institution to share an allegation brought forward by a former student-athlete.
The university recently received a letter from legal counsel on behalf of a former IU men’s basketball student-athlete, who competed at IU several decades ago. The letter includes specific allegations against Dr. Brad Bomba, Sr., who served as a contracted physician for IU athletic teams, including the men’s basketball program for several decades, concluding in the late 1990s. The former student-athlete alleges that he was subjected to inappropriate prostate and rectal exams during annual physicals with Dr. Bomba, Sr., something that he also alleges was a practice for all basketball student-athletes assigned to Dr. Bomba, Sr. for physical examinations.
In response to learning of the allegation, the university retained Jones Day, an international law firm with experience in sensitive and similar investigations, to conduct an independent review. The review will include witness interviews, a review of available documentation and engagement with medical experts to determine: 1) the background facts related to the annual physicals of IU student athletes conducted by Dr. Bomba, Sr.; 2) if the conduct was appropriate, necessary, or within the standard of care; and 3) what medical professionals and athletic department or university officials were aware of the conduct and, if warranted, what action did they take.
To be clear, this is a fully independent and comprehensive investigation that will follow the facts. Indiana University will abide by its findings and take any warranted actions. To protect the integrity of the investigation, the institution will refrain from further comment while the review is ongoing.
Jones Day has established a phone number (888-392-2296) and email ([email protected]) for anyone wishing to provide information — anonymously, if desired.
We ask for the IU community to have patience as we search for the truth and to have confidence that the university’s actions will be consistent with our values.
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