Forbes Contributor: College Sports Needs an Ombuds Program

Writing in Forbes Magazine, David Ridpath says that recurring claims of sexual misconduct against college athletes indicates a cultural problem in intercollegiate athletics. He lays out ten recommendations that college sports associations could adopt to make address the problem. (Details are laid out in a paper that he co-authored for The Drake Group released this week.) One of the recommendations is for an Athlete Ombuds:

The Drake Group analyzed the violence issue and made ten recommendations including detailed proposals that would prohibit the recruiting and athletic eligibility of athletes committing acts of sexual or other violence. The recommendations include:

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National collegiate athletic governance organizations should establish an independent athlete ombudsman office to provide confidential assistance to athletes seeking advice on responding to team situations, and to answer questions about organization rules and other issues of concern to athletes.

The model Ridpath has in mind is the USOC Ombudsman.  (Forbes; The Drake Group Position Statement.) 

Related posts: Psychologist Urges Ombuds as Buffer for Student Athletes; Michigan State to Appoint Ombuds for Student Athletes; Recent Conflicts Highlight Role of Kidsports Ombuds; NCAA President Suggests Role for Ombuds; University of Utah Appoints Ombuds for Student Athletes; Sports Conflict Institute TV Explores How an Ombuds Might Help in Sports;  PAADS Athlete Development Summit to Feature Ombuds; Sports Conflict Institute Explores Ombuds for NCAA; Blogger Calls for International Sports to Adopt Ombuds; Responding to Rape Allegations, Baylor University Promises Ombuds for Athletes; Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada Seeks Input on Ombuds.