Sexual assault advocate Brenda Tracy has announced she will publicly confront the Michigan State University Board of Trustees this Friday. The move comes amid her ongoing federal lawsuit against the university, which alleges the board mishandled her sexual harassment complaint against former head football coach Mel Tucker and leaked her identity to the public.
Tracy, a prominent survivor advocate who was once hired by the university, has become a vocal critic of MSU's handling of her case. Her planned appearance at the board meeting signals an escalation in her efforts to hold the institution accountable.
Key Takeaways
- Brenda Tracy intends to speak at the MSU Board of Trustees meeting on Friday, October 31.
- She filed a federal lawsuit against the board, claiming they mishandled her complaint and leaked her name.
- Her original complaint led to the firing of MSU football coach Mel Tucker in September 2023 for sexual harassment.
- MSU is seeking to have Tracy's lawsuit dismissed, arguing her claims lack a legal foundation.
The Allegations at the Center of the Controversy
The core of the issue dates back to a complaint Tracy filed against then-head football coach Mel Tucker. Tracy, who was working with the MSU football program as a consultant on sexual violence prevention, reported that Tucker subjected her to an explicit phone call without her consent. These allegations became public in September 2023, leading to a swift investigation by the university.
Shortly after the details emerged, Michigan State University terminated Tucker's employment for cause, citing a breach of his contract. For his part, Tucker has maintained that the interactions between him and Tracy were consensual, a claim that Tracy has consistently and vehemently denied.
A History of Advocacy
Brenda Tracy is a nationally recognized figure in the fight against sexual assault, particularly within college athletics. She founded the nonprofit organization "Set The Expectation" and has worked with numerous NCAA programs to educate athletes and staff about sexual misconduct and consent. Her professional relationship with MSU was part of this advocacy work, making her allegations against the university's head coach particularly significant.
A Lawsuit Against the University
In June, Tracy took legal action directly against the MSU Board of Trustees. Her federal lawsuit outlines two primary grievances: that the university mishandled the confidential investigation into her claims and that members of the board were responsible for leaking her identity to the media. This leak, she argues, violated her privacy and exposed her to public scrutiny and harassment.
The university's response has been to challenge the lawsuit's validity. MSU filed a motion to dismiss the case, asserting that Tracy's claims do not have a sufficient legal basis. In its court filings, the university characterized her lawsuit as an attempt to secure a "multi-million-dollar windfall."
This legal battle runs parallel to Tracy's public campaign for accountability. Her decision to address the board directly is a clear indication that she intends to continue pressing her case in both the legal and public arenas.
Case Timeline
- Sept. 2023: Allegations against Mel Tucker become public.
- Sept. 2023: MSU fires Mel Tucker for cause.
- June 2025: Brenda Tracy files a federal lawsuit against the MSU Board of Trustees.
- Oct. 2025: Tracy announces her plan to confront the board at its public meeting.
Seeking a Public Reckoning
In recent statements, Tracy has expressed frustration with what she perceives as a systemic reluctance to believe survivors of sexual misconduct, especially when powerful figures are involved. Her words highlight a broader cultural issue that she believes is at play in her case.
"In this country, we just don’t want to believe survivors of sexual assault and misconduct. We have this thing about protecting powerful men. So a lot of it I’m not surprised by."
By choosing to speak at the public board meeting, Tracy is moving the conflict into a highly visible forum. She is forcing the university's highest governing body to face her directly, ensuring her voice is heard beyond court documents and media reports. This confrontation is poised to bring renewed attention to the case and the university's institutional culture.
The upcoming meeting could prove to be a contentious event, placing the Board of Trustees under intense scrutiny. How the board responds to Tracy's presence and remarks will be closely watched by the university community, survivor advocates, and the public. It represents a critical moment in a saga that has already cost a high-profile coach his job and raised serious questions about accountability at one of the nation's largest universities.