The allegations of sexual misconduct against a former Indiana University (IU) team physician, Dr. Bradford Bomba Sr., continue to mount, with more former players coming forward to share their experiences. As of March 2025, at least five former IU basketball players have publicly accused Dr. Bomba of subjecting them to medically unnecessary and sexually abusive rectal examinations during their time at the university.
The accusations are part of a growing class-action lawsuit against the Indiana University Trustees and longtime head athletic trainer Tim Garl. The lawsuit alleges that the university systemically mishandled complaints about Bomba's alleged misconduct and "maintained a policy of deliberate indifference." The suit further claims that these assaults were openly discussed by players in the locker room, in the presence of IU employees, including assistant coaches and athletic trainers.
Butch Carter, a former NBA player and coach, is among the most recent to join the lawsuit. Carter alleges that during a 1979 physical examination, Bomba performed an unnecessary rectal exam, despite Carter never having undergone such a procedure before with any other doctor. Carter claims he reported the abuse to then-coach Bob Knight, the head athletic trainer, and a university employee, but no action was taken.
Other plaintiffs in the lawsuit, including John Flowers, Haris Mujezinovic, Charlie Miller, and Larry Richardson Jr., have made similar allegations, claiming that Bomba's examinations were not only medically unnecessary but also conducted in a manner that was sexually abusive. Flowers, who played for the Hoosiers in the early 1980s, alleges that Garl assigned him and other players to Bomba and subsequently joked about the rectal examinations they endured. Richardson, who played in the late 1990s, claims that teammates warned him to "get ready" before his appointments with Bomba, indicating a widespread awareness of the alleged abuse among the team.
The university hired a law firm to conduct an internal investigation into the allegations. However, the findings of this investigation have been met with skepticism by the plaintiffs and their legal representatives. The firm reported that Bomba performed the rectal examinations "in a clinically appropriate manner," a conclusion that the plaintiffs' attorneys have disputed, emphasizing that the report confirms Bomba did perform these examinations on all IU basketball players.
Dr. Bomba, who is now 88 years old, invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and refused to answer many questions about his alleged conduct during a deposition. While Bomba is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit, the legal action seeks to hold the university accountable for its alleged failure to protect student-athletes from sexual abuse. The plaintiffs are suing the Indiana University Trustees and Tim Garl under Title IX, arguing that the university's negligence violated their equal protection rights.
The case has drawn parallels to other high-profile instances of sexual abuse by team doctors at universities, such as the Larry Nassar scandal at Michigan State University and the cases at Ohio State University. These cases have highlighted the vulnerability of student-athletes and the importance of institutions taking allegations of sexual misconduct seriously.
As the lawsuit progresses, it is likely that more former players will come forward with their stories, potentially shedding further light on the scope and duration of the alleged abuse. The case raises critical questions about the responsibility of universities to safeguard the well-being of their athletes and the need for greater oversight of medical professionals working in collegiate sports.
