According to a school release, Indiana University has engaged outside counsel to conduct an independent review of allegations brought by a former men’s basketball player against team doctor Brad Bomba Sr.
The former player is not named in the release, which only indicates the player “competed at IU several decades ago.”
An IU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, Bomba won football letters in 1954, 1955 and 1956 and led those teams in receiving all three years as an end. He was all-Big Ten in 1955, three-time Academic All-Big Ten and 1956 Academic All-American.
Bomba served as team physician for all IU athletic teams from 1962-70, and as a basketball physician from 1979 through the late 90s.
Here is the full statement from Indiana University:
Indiana University maintains a core set of values that guide our actions in pursuit of our mission as the state of Indiana’s flagship university. Among those values are an unwavering commitment to integrity and ethical conduct, the relentless search for truth, a respect for the dignity of others, and accountability for the human resources and relationships entrusted to IU. It is these bedrock values that compel the institution to share an allegation brought forward by a former student-athlete.
The university recently received a letter from legal counsel on behalf of a former IU men’s basketball student-athlete, who competed at IU several decades ago. The letter includes specific allegations against Dr. Brad Bomba, Sr., who served as a contracted physician for IU athletic teams, including the men’s basketball program for several decades, concluding in the late 1990s. The former student-athlete alleges that he was subjected to inappropriate prostate and rectal exams during annual physicals with Dr. Bomba, Sr., something that he also alleges was a practice for all basketball student-athletes assigned to Dr. Bomba, Sr. for physical examinations.
In response to learning of the allegation, the university retained Jones Day, an international law firm with experience in sensitive and similar investigations, to conduct an independent review. The review will include witness interviews, a review of available documentation and engagement with medical experts to determine: 1) the background facts related to the annual physicals of IU student athletes conducted by Dr. Bomba, Sr.; 2) if the conduct was appropriate, necessary, or within the standard of care; and 3) what medical professionals and athletic department or university officials were aware of the conduct and, if warranted, what action did they take.
To be clear, this is a fully independent and comprehensive investigation that will follow the facts. Indiana University will abide by its findings and take any warranted actions. To protect the integrity of the investigation, the institution will refrain from further comment while the review is ongoing.
Jones Day has established a phone number (888-392-2296) and email (IUinvestigation@JonesDay.com) for anyone wishing to provide information — anonymously, if desired.
We ask for the IU community to have patience as we search for the truth and to have confidence that the university’s actions will be consistent with our values