MSU issues to keep Hollis from hoops road trip

East Lansing — Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis intended to spend a couple of weeks at the end of this month traveling around the country in a van seeing as much college basketball as he could.

That trip, one he was planning to take as the chairman of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee, has now been shelved as Hollis deals with more pressing matters on Michigan State’s campus. It was first reported by CBSsports.com while The News was told Hollis will not be doing the tour as it was planned.

The athletic department is currently in the midst of several off-field problems, including the news that came out late last week that three players with the football team are under investigation for sexual assault by the MSU Police. That has also triggered a Title IX investigation as well as an independent investigation into the football staff’s handling of the issue as one staff member has been suspended.

That comes as the university is in the midst of a sexual assault investigation of fired doctor Larry Nassar, who is facing civil lawsuits from more than two dozen former athletes who say they were assaulted during treatments from Nassar during his time with the University and with USA Gymnastics. At least 20 females are suing Nassar, who they say assaulted them under the guise of treatment. The claims span 20 years and the accusers ranged in age from 9-29.

Hollis was planning to take in 12-14 games, ending with senior day at Michigan State on Feb. 26.

During an interview on Sirux/XM’s College Sports Nation on Monday, Hollis was asked about the investigation.

“Really can’t make any comments beyond the statement I’ve already made,” he said. “When there’s an ongoing investigation we’ll let that do its process. I’ll let my statement stand as was and we’ll continue to watch this.”

Also on Monday, Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo was asked about Hollis’ changing plans amid the turmoil on campus.

“I just know this, that I have absolute, positive, complete faith in my president, AD and coaches that are going through things,” Izzo said. “And that’s all I can do. I have faith in them, and I support them because I have faith in them. I wouldn’t support them if I didn’t have faith in them.”

matt.charboneau@detroitnews.com

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