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Men Abused By Ohio State Doctor Call For NCAA Investigation

Dr. Richard Strauss
Associated Press
Dr. Richard Strauss

Some of the men alleging decades-old sexual abuse by an Ohio State team doctor are asking the NCAA and Big Ten conference to investigate the university and force changes to protect student-athletes in the future.

In letters shared Wednesday, they contend Ohio State enabled and covered up the doctor's abuse for years.

They suggest that the school face sanctions even harsher than the $60 million Penn State was fined for the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.

Asked for comment, an Ohio State spokesman said only that the school isn't currently under investigation or aware of a future investigation.

Messages seeking comment were left with the NCAA and the Big Ten.

Ohio State has already settled lawsuits involving 185 accusers for over $46 million. An independent investigation found that Ohio State officials knew about Strauss' misconduct as early as 1979, but failed to properly respond until 1996, and accusers say administrators willfully acted to hide the abuse.

The former team doctor worked at the school from 1978-1998, and died by apparent suicide in 2005.