The Indiana University basketball program faces a troubling crisis as allegations of sexual misconduct against former team physician Dr. Bradford Bomba Sr. continue to mount. At least 15 former players have come forward with accusations spanning from the late 1970s through the late 1990s, claiming the doctor performed medically unnecessary digital rectal examinations (DREs) during routine physicals. These allegations have sparked serious questions about institutional accountability, athletic department oversight, and the university’s commitment to player safety.
The case highlights critical issues surrounding Title IX compliance at Indiana University, the reporting mechanisms for abuse in collegiate athletics, and the complex legal battles that often follow such accusations. As the university defends itself against a growing class-action lawsuit, the controversy raises important questions about how institutions protect—or fail to protect—student-athletes from potential abuse.
Timeline and background of the Indiana basketball team doctor allegations
Dr. Bomba’s tenure and initial accusations
Dr. Bradford Bomba Sr. served as the Indiana University men’s basketball team physician for nearly three decades, ending in the late 1990s. His prominence extended to serving as the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team physician under former IU head coach Bob Knight. The first public allegations surfaced in September 2024, with reports that as early as 1979, a player had informed Coach Knight that Bomba had “penetrated his anus” during an examination at Assembly Hall.
The accusations focus primarily on Bomba’s practice of performing digital rectal exams on male athletes during annual physicals, often without proper explanation or medical justification. Some former players allege these examinations were painful and constituted sexual abuse, with one claimant specifically stating that Bomba “fondled his genitalia” during a physical. These allegations have parallels to other cases of abuse in collegiate athletics, such as the Zion Williamson lawsuit regarding abuse allegations that similarly shocked the sports community.
Legal proceedings and university response
The legal battle began in October 2024 when former players Haris Mujezinovic and Charlie Miller filed a class-action lawsuit against Indiana University. By June 2025, at least 15 former players had alleged improper sexual conduct, including former NBA player and coach Butch Carter. The plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages on behalf of all former IU men’s basketball players allegedly sexually assaulted by Bomba.
The university’s response included hiring the Jones Day law firm to conduct an independent investigation. This investigation concluded in April 2025 that Bomba conducted the examinations “in a clinically appropriate manner” and found “no evidence to suggest that Dr. Bomba achieved sexual gratification.” However, the report acknowledged that including DREs in annual physicals for asymptomatic student-athletes was an “uncommon practice.” Notably, investigators did not interview Bomba, who had invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a December 2024 deposition.
Institutional accountability and oversight failures
Athletic department awareness and alleged negligence
A troubling aspect of these allegations is the suggestion that staff within the basketball program were aware of player concerns. Former player Haris Mujezinovic stated, “The adults within the basketball program who were entrusted with our care knew what was happening to us. They joked about it and let it continue.” Tim Garl, the head athletic trainer from 1981 until 2025, is being sued for his alleged involvement in what the lawsuit describes as Bomba’s “wrongful conduct.”
The Jones Day report characterized Garl’s comments about the exams as “unprofessional” while concluding he had a “good faith belief” that the procedures were medically appropriate. This situation raises important questions about athletic department negligence similar to those seen in the Michigan State football NCAA investigation, where institutional failures allowed problematic behaviors to continue unchecked.
Title IX implications and reporting failures
The lawsuit against Indiana University cites violations of Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funding. The legal arguments center on whether the university fulfilled its obligation to protect students from sexual misconduct and whether appropriate reporting mechanisms for abuse existed. According to court documents, there were no documented complaints against Bomba made to state licensing authorities, law enforcement, the IU athletic department, or the IU Office of Institutional Equity prior to the current allegations.
Indiana University has argued in court filings that the claims fall outside the state’s two-year statute of limitations for filing civil sexual assault lawsuits. The plaintiffs’ attorneys have countered by citing precedent from the Ohio State case involving Dr. Richard Strauss, arguing that the statute of limitations only began when they knew or should have known that university administrators with authority failed to address known misconduct. This legal battle mirrors other recent cases, such as abuse allegations against an IU Indy coach, highlighting systemic issues in addressing misconduct accusations in collegiate athletics.
Survivors’ perspectives and motivations
Coming forward for accountability and change
The former players who have come forward cite various motivations, including protecting others from similar experiences and seeking justice for the abuse they endured. Charlie Miller, one of the original plaintiffs, explained that his four children are “watching, listening, and learning from how I live this out.” Another plaintiff who requested anonymity cited his college-age children as motivation, noting that regardless of the legal outcome, the process has validated his feelings and experiences.
The growing number of accusers suggests that as initial allegations received media attention, more former players felt empowered to share their experiences. This pattern of delayed disclosure is common in cases of institutional abuse, where power dynamics, shame, and fear of not being believed often prevent victims from coming forward immediately.
Challenges for survivors seeking justice
Beyond the statute of limitations challenge, the former players face additional legal hurdles. A 2022 Supreme Court ruling prevents plaintiffs from recovering damages for emotional distress in federal Title IX claims, reducing the likelihood of significant monetary awards. Furthermore, the death of Dr. Bomba in May 2025 complicates efforts to directly establish his culpability.
The survivors must also contend with the conclusions of the Jones Day report, which many former players have described as disappointing. Despite medical experts acknowledging that the DREs were “uncommon” for college-age athletes without symptoms, the report ultimately found no evidence of “bad faith or improper purpose” on Bomba’s part, a conclusion that some survivors view as dismissive of their experiences.
Conclusion
The allegations against Dr. Bradford Bomba Sr. and Indiana University represent an important case study in institutional accountability, the protection of student-athletes, and the challenges survivors face when seeking justice for historical abuse. As the legal proceedings continue, this case may establish important precedents for how universities respond to allegations of sexual misconduct in athletics and their responsibilities under Title IX.
The university’s defense based on the statute of limitations and its commissioned investigation’s conclusions highlight the complexities of addressing historical allegations of abuse. For the former players seeking acknowledgment and justice, the path forward remains challenging but potentially transformative for institutional practices in collegiate athletics.
This case underscores the critical importance of robust reporting mechanisms, transparent investigations, and a culture that prioritizes athlete safety above all else in university athletic programs nationwide.
William covers the sports world with passion and precision — from transfer rumors to game-changing performances. With a sharp eye for trends and a love for bold storytelling, he brings fans closer to the action, one article at a time.
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