Michigan hockey coach Mel Pearson lied to investigators during an investigation into his program, according to a report from the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Wilmer Hale, obtained by the Free Press on Tuesday. .
Pearson has faced accusations amid allegations of directing players to lie on COVID-19 tracking forms ahead of the 2021 NCAA Tournament and retaliating against student-athletes for raising concerns about team culture. I was taking a bath.
Pearson and former hockey operations director Rick Bancroft were also accused of discriminating against female staff members. It is
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Last October, former UM goalie and volunteer assistant Steve Shields filed a complaint through the school’s Equity, Civil Rights, and Title IX Office against Pearson and Bancroft in retaliation for reporting the aforementioned allegations. accused Pearson of firing him.
Investigators determined that Shields had not been retaliated against, and their investigation did not focus on the allegedly forged COVID-19 tracking forms or the Anderson case, but other findings raised concerns. I was holding
Pearson duped investigators over his response to team culture concerns expressed by starting goalkeeper and captain Strauss Mann and other up-and-coming seniors in the spring of 2021. Pearson’s retaliation against Mann.
Other than confirming that Pearson will remain the Wolverines’ head coach, UM Athletic did not provide further comment to the Free Press.
Pearson told investigators he never spoke with Man about his concerns about culture, according to a report given to UM Athletic Director Warde Manuel in early May. Recordings revealed that Pearson had such talks with Mann, and the coach went so far as to tell the player in April 2021 that his status with the program was in jeopardy.
According to reports, other senior players met with UM administrator Josh Richelieu about their concerns after the 2021-22 season and told them Pearson would deduct playing time if they filed a complaint. They feared that they would face the same fate that Pearson believed had inflicted on Mann.
WilmerHale’s report also shows that Bancroft, who retired without explanation on June 20, bullied a female hockey staff and Pearson wasn’t paying enough attention to stop it. Three women testified in reports of abuse by Bancroft.
Despite the turmoil, Manuel said on June 17 that he expects Pearson to continue coaching the Wolverines next season. Despite the lack of an official announcement, he appears to be maintained.
UM are having one of their best seasons under Pearson, going 31-10-1 to reach the Frozen Four for the second time since being hired in 2017. Pearson previously served as an assistant for Michigan State from 1988 until he was in 2011.
Free Press education reporter David Jesse contributed to this report. Contact Mason Young at: MEYoung@freepress.com Follow him on Twitter: @Mason_Young_0.