Dana Ford, Missouri State’s men’s basketball coach, was accused of groping another woman at a September tournament. This is part of an ongoing Polk County criminal investigation.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Ford is being investigated for sexual misconduct. There have not been any criminal charges.
Ford made a statement through Joe Passanise on Thursday evening, claiming that the allegations were false and adding that he was paired up with other golfers who didn’t corroborate the woman’s story.
Missouri State stated in a statement that it was aware of Ford’s allegations in September.
The statement stated that “we have taken these allegations serious.” The university’s Office for Institutional Equity and Compliance was immediately assigned the allegations to investigate. Based on the evidence available, the initial investigation revealed that the claims were not supported. The university does not have any further comments at this point.
Two recent Missouri State University graduates, the accuser and her boyfriend spoke out to the News-Leader under the condition that anonymity was maintained. If victims of sexual assault do not want to be identified publicly, it is against the News-Leader policy not to name them.
According to the victim, the event was held at Silo Ridge Golf & Country Club in Bolivar on Sept. 8, during the Cash Moore Foundation Tournament. The victim shared location data and text messages that indicated she was present on the day of event.
She claimed she was on Ford’s back, and that Ford was drunk, as she was sitting in the cart. Ford reached out and grabbed her breasts, she claimed. Then she made a comment about the sweatshirt covering her breasts. She then ran away in tears, according to the woman.
The woman claimed that she called Missouri State University’s Title IX to report sexual harassment complaints involving students and employees. The News-Leader has confirmed that the accused sent emails to Melissa Berry, Missouri State’s Title IX coordinator.
According to the accuser, most of her interactions with Title IX at the university were over the phone. She said that this did not seem to have resulted in any significant action. According to the incident report, she then contacted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. They began investigating Sept. 22.
Ford is nearing the end of his fifth year as Missouri State’s Head Coach. His contract runs through the 2024-25 year. After a 4% university-wide pay increase, his adjusted salary for 2022-23 was $455,903. His contract contains a clause that allows him to be fired without pay for “dishonesty or moral turpitude”, a conviction for major violations of NCAA rules, regulations, and other reasons.
Ford and his wife Christina Ford have been active in Springfield’s community through “The Rebound Foundation”, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women and children recover after domestic abuse.
Missouri State’s record improved to 13-12 with a 61 – 59 win over Belmont on Wednesday night. With five games remaining in regular season, the Bears currently sit in sixth place in Missouri Valley Conference standings.
Here’s Ford’s complete statement, as it appeared on Thursday evening.
“I felt obliged to respond to the serious accusations made today and correct some facts. The article refers to a September golf tournament. I was part of a team that consisted of three other players during the tournament. Because it didn’t, none of the participants could confirm it.
“The university investigated the situation after it was reported. These false accusations were not supported by evidence from the university. I was fully involved in that investigation. These false accusations are especially concerning given the fact that my wife, and I, have spent a lot of our lives fighting domestic abuse against women and children through our nonprofit Rebound Foundation.
“The purpose of this statement was to present my position. Missouri State University and my spouse stand with me. I hope that all who support Missouri State Athletics will continue supporting the exceptional athletes whom they have had the privilege to coach.
By: Wyatt D. Wheeler
Title: A Division I men's basketball coach is being accused of groping a woman at a charity golf event
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2023/02/10/golf-charity-missouri-state-basketball-coach-sexual-misconduct-investigation/
Published Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2023 16:45:35 +0000
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