Unfortunately the answer is yes. Had Meghan just said "#MeToo", and left it at that, then of course we would feel badly for her and respect her privacy. But by adding " I was sexually assaulted in college. It was covered up by the powers that be", she is basically accusing "someone" at the university.
...she needs to name...
...Why couldn't she have...
Lots of thoughts...please pardon the length of this post.
As a preliminary matter, Meghan said "the powers that be." She did not say that if it was the athletic department, a student conduct department, a Title IX compliance office, the university brass, campus police, State of Connecticut law enforcement, the District Attorney's office, etc.
Second, Meghan graduated from UConn in 2010. She made the public statement, on Twitter, in 2017. Obviously, the trauma of such an horrific crime - and the further trauma of a cover-up by "the powers that be" as well as the fear of what speaking out could mean - have prevented her from speaking out.
In her Twitter post, Meghan stated, "I still am afraid to talk about it." Sexual violence is such a traumatic event - and, unfortunately, way too frequent of an occurrence, especially at colleges and universities.
When people say things like (and please know that I am not attacking the posters I quoted, one of whom is a friend (Eric); I am merely referencing them as a discussion point) "she needs to" or stating things she could have done merely exacerbates the problem - and also helps explain why many sexual assault/rape victims do not report. They are told what they need to do, what they should have done, asked why and how they could have prevented it, etc. In a way, they are victimized again.
Having said that, it is important to read the NYTimes pieces that was linked in this thread, discussing the lawsuit.
In that case, the four plaintiffs in that case stated that they did *not* blame the university, but found fault with the way it was dealt with by UConn's staff members, including a female campus police officer. The plaintiffs also stated they were discouraged from reporting attacks to the police or not informed of their legal options. To me, this sounds like a matter for a compliance office (including Title IX compliance) and a student conduct board/department.
And the settlement - in 2014 - lead to the creation of an assistant dean position for victim support services, the creation of a special victims unit within the campus police department with officers trained in responding to sexual violence, and a revised training program for all managerial/executive employees at the university to deal with sexual harassment and sexual violence. Reading this, I believe it is reasonable to assume that "the powers that be" referenced by Meghan is not anyone associated with WBB, but could very well be individuals who were not even part of the athletic department.
I understand posters' concerns about the impact such an allegation could have on recruiting. As a preliminary matter, Baylor WBB's recruiting has not suffered at all, despite systemic, pervasive sexual assault and rape by male athletes. Second, post-settlement (2014), UConn is likely a very different place - and hopefully a safe environment, one where female students are not sexually assaulted and, if G-d forbid they are, can report such allegations without fear of reprisal and have their allegations taken seriously and fully investigated by the university and the police.
Furthermore, and I HATE to bring this up, but Geno Auriemma had a former player who graduated BEFORE Meghan entered UConn. This former player was sexually abused by her AAU coach. This AAU coach was eventually arrested and charged with 59 counts of sexual assault, assault, and abuse. He later committed suicide in prison. Knowing this, I feel very comfortable saying that there is NO WAY that Geno Auriemma or anyone on his staff or affiliated/associated with the UConn WBB program would ever not take allegations seriously or cover anything up. Absolutely NO WAY, NO HOW.
Finally, I want to make a VERY important, personal point. I have met hundreds of women's basketball players. I can tell you this. Many players really liked their college coaches. Many thought they were great teachers, role models, etc. The best coaches often have the majority of their former players saying very positive things about them.
But when I have met and spoken with Geno Auriemma's former players, it is different. They LOVE him. They would jump in front of a bus for him. They cannot be any more effusive in terms of their praise for him. And these are players with all different personality types, backgrounds, races, talent level, etc. That tells you what a special coach he is. And I guarantee recruits and their families know this.
