Michigan St. AD quits amid scandal

Michigan State DETROIT —

Athletic Director Mark Hollis stepped down Friday in the wake of the Larry Nassar scandal.

A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed Hollis’ intention to the Free Press on Friday morning. Hollis held a news confer- ence minutes later to confirm he is retiring.

Hollis has been athletic director since he took over for Ron Mason on Jan. 1, 2008. He is a 1985 MSU alum.

Hollis’ resignation comes days after Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics doc- tor who also was employed by Michigan State, was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for sexually abus- ing more than 150 girls and young women, including some MSU athletes.

The NCAA sent a letter of inquiry to MSU on Tuesday, announcing an investi- gation into MSU’s handling of the Nassar allegations, and Hollis said in a state- ment Wednesday that MSU would “cooperate.”

“Since my first day on the job as athletic director, my focus has always been on the student-athlete,” Hollis said. “They are at the core of our athletic department mission statement. Our first priority has always been and will always be their health and safety. In regards to the letter we received … the athletic compliance and university general counsel offices are preparing a comprehen- sive response.”