News Summary

Brenda Tracy, a prominent advocate for sexual assault awareness, has filed a federal lawsuit against Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees, alleging mishandling of her harassment complaint against former coach Mel Tucker. Tracy claims damages from identity leaks and emotional distress, seeking over $75,000. The case highlights struggles faced by sexual harassment survivors and the need for accountability in higher education.

East Lansing, Michigan – Brenda Tracy, a prominent advocate for sexual assault awareness and a rape survivor, has filed a federal lawsuit against Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees and two specific trustees, Rema Vassar and Dennis Denno, alleging serious mishandling of her sexual harassment complaint against former head football coach Mel Tucker. The suit was lodged on June 3, 2025, in the Western District of Michigan and brings forth seven counts, including gross negligence and breach of contract.

In her complaint, Tracy claims that the university’s trustees leaked her identity, which has resulted in significant emotional distress, harassment against her and her family, and a loss of income. She is seeking more than $75,000 in both punitive and compensatory damages, asserting that the university failed to address the threats and harassment she faced as a result of the leak.

Tracy publicly stated that Tucker, who was suspended and later fired for violating the university’s sexual misconduct policies, engaged in non-consensual acts, specifically mentioning unwanted sexual advancements during a phone call in April 2022. Tucker lost nearly $80 million from his contract after being dismissed on September 27, 2023. He is currently pursuing a wrongful termination lawsuit against the university, alleging that he had a mutual relationship with Tracy.

The university launched an investigation into the allegations surrounding the leak of Tracy’s identity by hiring the Jones Day law firm, which ultimately found no evidence that university officials were responsible. The Miller & Chevalier law firm was contracted to conduct investigations into policy violations related to the case. Despite these measures, the Board of Trustees has requested the removal of Vassar and Denno from their positions, a request that has recently been denied by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Tracy’s lawsuit also highlights the university’s failure to screen Tucker properly before his hiring. She argues that the disclosure of her identity not only jeopardized her professional standing but also caused her significant psychological and emotional distress, leading to accrued medical expenses. This legal action comes after Tracy had previously sued Tucker in October 2024 for defamation, in response to his claims of a consensual relationship and for canceling her scheduled university speaking engagements.

As the lawsuit unfolds, Tracy has emphasized the need for accountability beyond just Tucker himself. She initially had no intention of making her identity public during the university investigation and describes the experience as deeply traumatic. The damages she claims extend to lost speaking engagements along with harm to her reputation due to the premature disclosure of her identity.

Tracy has stated that she hopes Michigan State University will implement more effective measures for preventing and investigating sexual harassment incidents in the future. Alongside her demands for accountability, she is seeking an apology from the university for the distress caused by the handling of her situation, particularly by its Board of Trustees.

The lawsuit remains a critical representation of the ongoing struggles that survivors of sexual harassment and violence face, as well as the importance of institutional accountability in higher education settings. The fallout from this case is likely to have significant implications not only for Tracy but also for how Michigan State and similar institutions handle claims of sexual misconduct moving forward.