ND’s Swarbrick emerges as figure in gymscandal
Two former USA Gymnastics presidents cited Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick as one of the key people involved in advising the organization on policies related to sexual abuse.
In an interview with IndyStar. com, the website for the Indianapolis Star,
Mike Jacki, USA Gymnastics president from1983 to 1994, said Swarbrick discouraged the organization from distributing a booklet on child abuse to its members. And Steve Penny, who served from 2005 to 2017, cited Swarbrick as the organization’s legal counsel in a 2015 deposition and said sexual- abuse issues were “managed by our attorney.” Ultimately, however, USA Gymnastics’ board is responsible for setting policy.
In written responses to questions submitted by the Star, Swarbrick declined to answer specific questions about his advice to the organization, citing attorney- client privilege. But he did discuss his role generally.
Swarbrick described himself as someone who moved in and out of working with the organization from 1984 to 2008. He said his “most significant period of engagement” with USA Gymnastics was from1984 to 1996 and that “there are significant periods of time within the scope of your inquiry about which I have no knowledge.”
Swarbrick said he doesn’t recall advising against distribution of a booklet about sexual abuse in 1988. To the contrary, he said, USA Gymnastics made a “principled choice” to even take on the issue of sexual abuse, exposing itself to legal liability.
JURISPRUDENCE Nassar sentenced to third term
The worst sex- abuse case in sports history ended with a third long prison sentence for LarryNassar— 40 to 125 years was formolesting young athletes at Twistars, an elite Michigan gymnastics club. The sentence is largely symbolic because Nassar, who pleaded guilty, is already assured of spending the rest of his life behind bars.
Before serving his two state terms, the 54- year- old must first serve 60 years in federal prison for child pornography crimes.
BASEBALL Ex- Sox Frazier jumps to Mets
The Mets agreed to sign free- agent third baseman ToddFrazier to a twoyear, $ 17 million contract, according to reports. Frazier split last season between the White Sox and Yankees, hitting 27 home runs.
Frazier, who was a 1998 Little League World Series champion in nearby Toms River, New Jersey, and starred at Rutgers, takes over a spot that has been in flux since David
Wright got injured. † The Rangers announced the signing of veteran infielder and former Cub Darwin Barney to a minorleague contract and invited him to spring training. Barney, 32, spent the last two seasons with the Blue Jays.
BASKETBALL Hoosiers roll over Rutgers
Juwan Morgan had 24 points and eight rebounds and Robert Johnson 19 points to lead Indiana ( 13- 12, 6- 7 Big Ten) to a 65- 43 victory against host Rutgers ( 12- 14, 2- 11), which shot 24 percent and tied its lowest scoring output of the season. † The Nets traded center Tyler Zeller to the Bucks for guard Rashad Vaughn and a second- round pick.