Mar 1, 2021Former San Jose State Trainer Responsible for Sexual Misconduct
Longtime San Jose State University sports medicine director, Scott Shaw, has been found responsible for at least five women’s claims in a series of Title IX investigations.
Shaw resigned in August amid reports he sexually abused female student-athletes more than a decade ago and the investigation into those allegations is being conducted by private attorneys under the supervision of the California State University System, according to a report from USA Today.
Thus far, according to the USA Today report, the investigation has determined that Shaw’s treatments lacked a medical basis, ignored protocols, and violated the system’s sexual harassment policies. These findings were released to the public late last week, USA Today reported. In total, 10 different investigations took place — one for each individual claim from a former woman student-athlete.
Shounak Dharap, an attorney for one of the student-athletes, told USA Today that he was aware of at least five investigations that have resulted in findings of responsibility, and added that he expected to receive more.
“There was an overwhelming sense of relief,” former swimmer Linzy Warkentin, one of the five athletes, who first reported Shaw’s conduct to the school in 2009, told the national outlet. “We had tears and laughs. Tonight there will be celebratory drinks. We have been waiting for this for over a year and finally, we are officially acknowledged.”
In April, USA TODAY reported on the allegations against Shaw for the first time publicly. Reporters interviewed four of the 17 swimming and diving athletes who in 2009 said Shaw touched them inappropriately, as well as a water polo athlete and a gymnastics athlete who competed around that time and described similar touching by Shaw.
The university had reviewed the swimmers’ allegations in 2010 but cleared Shaw of wrongdoing, saying that his treatments – which he’d described to the athletes as “pressure point” or “trigger point” therapy – constituted a scientific and accepted method of treatment for muscle injuries, USA Today reported.
Shaw was never disciplined, arrested, or charged, and he remained in his position as sports medicine director for the next 10 years, during which time he continued to treat female athletes, the report stated.
To read the full story on Scott Shaw being found responsible for sexual misconduct in at least five former student-athletes at San Jose State from USA Today, click here.
