When people talk about the history of The Ohio State University, they usually mention football, the Oval, or groundbreaking research. But there is a darker, more complex thread that weaves through the late 20th-century history of the institution. Specifically, the name Dr. Richard Strauss OSU athletes and students knew all too well from 1978 to 1998. It is a story of institutional failure, a massive legal reckoning, and a medical professional who exploited his position for decades. Honestly, it is a heavy topic, but understanding what happened is the only way to ensure it doesn't happen again.
Dr. Richard Strauss wasn’t just a random staff member. He was a physician for the Department of Athletics and held a faculty position at the College of Medicine. He worked with thousands of students. For twenty years, he was a fixture in the locker rooms and the clinics.
What Really Happened With Dr. Richard Strauss at OSU
The reality is harrowing. From the moment Strauss arrived in Columbus in 1978, reports of misconduct began to surface. He wasn't just "quirky" or "over-thorough." He was predatory. He performed unnecessary exams on student-athletes across at least 16 different sports. We’re talking about wrestling, gymnastics, swimming—basically any sport where athletes sought medical care.
You’ve probably heard the numbers by now. In 2019, an independent investigation conducted by the law firm Perkins Coie released a report that shook the university to its core. They found that Strauss had abused at least 177 students during his tenure. However, as more survivors came forward, that number climbed. Some estimates now suggest the number of victims could be as high as 400 or more.
It’s easy to ask, "How did this go on for two decades?"
That is the question that haunts the survivors. The Perkins Coie report was pretty blunt about it. It concluded that Ohio State officials were aware of the allegations as early as 1979. There were documents. There were meetings. There were complaints from students who felt uncomfortable with his "methods." Yet, Strauss remained on staff until he retired in 1998 with emeritus status. He died by suicide in 2005, never having faced a courtroom for his actions.
✨ Don't miss: The CIA Stars on the Wall: What the Memorial Really Represents
The Breakdown of Oversight
One of the most frustrating aspects of the Dr. Richard Strauss OSU scandal is the missed opportunities. In the mid-90s, the university did actually investigate him. They stripped him of his clinical privileges in 1996. But—and this is a big "but"—they didn't fire him. They didn't report him to the state medical board. He was allowed to continue teaching and interacting with students in other capacities.
It feels like a classic case of institutional inertia. People didn't want to rock the boat, or perhaps they didn't realize the sheer scale of the behavior. Or, more cynically, they protected the brand of the university over the safety of the students. It’s a pattern we've seen in other major university scandals, like Penn State or Michigan State, but the Strauss case stands out for its longevity.
The Legal Battle and the $60 Million Settlement
If you follow the news, you know the legal fallout has been massive. For years, survivors fought to have their voices heard in court. Ohio State initially argued that the statute of limitations had passed. They basically said, "It’s too late to sue."
That didn't sit well with the public or the survivors.
Ultimately, the university shifted its stance—kinda. They began a mediation process. To date, Ohio State has reached settlement agreements with hundreds of survivors, totaling over $60 million. However, not everyone is satisfied. There are still active lawsuits. Some survivors feel that a payout isn't justice, especially when the university fought so hard to dismiss the claims initially based on technicalities.
🔗 Read more: Passive Resistance Explained: Why It Is Way More Than Just Standing Still
- The first major settlement in 2020 covered 162 individuals for nearly $41 million.
- Another round in late 2020 added $14 million for 28 more survivors.
- Individual cases continue to trickle through the system even now.
The money is secondary to the acknowledgement. For many of these men, who are now in their 50s and 60s, this wasn't about a payday. It was about the university finally saying, "We knew, and we failed you."
Why This Still Matters in 2026
You might think this is old news. Strauss is dead. The settlements are mostly paid. Why keep talking about it?
Because the Dr. Richard Strauss OSU case changed how universities handle medical ethics. It forced a total overhaul of how locker room physicals are conducted. It changed the reporting requirements for coaches and trainers. Today, if a student-athlete at Ohio State—or any major university—reports a doctor, there is a clear, mandatory path that complaint must take. No more "hushing it up" in the athletic director's office.
Also, the survivors have become advocates. Men like Steve Snyder-Hill have been incredibly vocal, pushing for legislative changes that would extend statutes of limitations for victims of sexual abuse. They are making sure that the next generation doesn't have to wait 40 years for a semblance of justice.
The Complicated Role of Jim Jordan
We can't talk about this without mentioning the political elephant in the room. U.S. Representative Jim Jordan was an assistant wrestling coach at OSU during the Strauss era. Several former wrestlers have publicly stated that Jordan knew about the abuse. Jordan has vehemently denied this, saying he never saw or heard anything.
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened With the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz
This created a massive political firestorm. It turned a tragic medical scandal into a partisan talking point. Regardless of where you stand politically, the testimony of the wrestlers—men who were in the trenches with Jordan—adds a layer of complexity to the story. It highlights the culture of silence that often exists in high-stakes collegiate sports. Whether he knew or not, the fact remains that the culture allowed Strauss to operate in plain sight.
Moving Toward Institutional Healing
Ohio State has taken several steps to "atone" for the Strauss years. They’ve established a task force on sexual misconduct. They’ve created a permanent memorial and resource page on their website. They’ve revoked his emeritus status (years too late, many argue).
But healing isn't a checklist.
For the victims, the trauma didn't end when they graduated. It followed them into their careers, their marriages, and their health. Strauss was a doctor they were told to trust. When that trust is broken at such a fundamental level, the scars are permanent.
Practical Steps for Accountability and Safety
If you are a student-athlete, a parent, or an alum, there are tangible things to take away from the Dr. Richard Strauss OSU legacy.
- Know Your Rights in Medical Settings: Any patient, including a student-athlete, has the right to have a third party (a "chaperone") present during any physical exam. If a doctor refuses this or makes you feel uncomfortable for asking, leave immediately.
- Report to Multiple Channels: If you feel something is wrong, don't just tell your coach. Use the university’s Title IX office, the anonymous ethics hotline, or even local law enforcement. Institutional cover-ups happen when only one person holds the information.
- Support Survivors: Acknowledge that the trauma is real. The Strauss survivors weren't looking for attention; they were looking for the truth. Supporting legislation that protects victims is a practical way to honor their fight.
- Demand Transparency: Keep an eye on university board meetings and public reports. Transparency is the only disinfectant for the kind of rot that allowed Strauss to thrive for twenty years.
The story of Dr. Richard Strauss is a dark chapter for The Ohio State University. It serves as a reminder that even the most prestigious institutions are capable of catastrophic failure. But through the bravery of the men who came forward, it also serves as a blueprint for how to demand accountability and force a massive organization to change its ways. The work isn't done, but the silence has finally been broken.
To stay informed on the ongoing litigation or to access resources for survivors, visit the Ohio State specialized Strauss response page or consult the Perkins Coie investigative findings. These documents provide the most granular, fact-checked details of the events that transpired between 1978 and 1998.