Last week, former players in Northwestern's Football Program appeared at a press conference with attorneys who are representing them. What are they asking for? Simple-cultural change and restitution on behalf of dozens of Northwestern athletes who have alleged similar behavior.

The podcast opens with a sound clip from plaintiff’s attorney Parker Stinar from the press conference.

Why do institutions fail to protect its athletes from this abusive behavior? Has it always been this way? I’m joined by higher education scholar, former provost and dean at several high profile universities who has studied the reactions of both institutions and leaders during and after these crises.

My guest is Don Heller, the retired Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of San Francisco and former Dean and faculty member at Michigan State and Penn State respectively.

This podcast may be difficult to hear some of the terminology describing the alleged behaviors of former coaches and administrators, but it is an important conversation to have.

Don’s article here: How Weak Leadership Enables Campus Scandals