Ex-Indiana team doctor accused of conducting inappropriate exams

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana University has engaged Jones Day, an international law firm with experience in “sensitive” investigations, to conduct an independent review of allegations brought against former men’s basketball team doctor Brad Bomba Sr.

Bomba, a member of the Marion and Monroe County Halls of Fame who earned All-Big Ten honors in football in 1955, served for decades as a contracted physician working with several IU Athletics programs, most notably men’s basketball. His time working with the university concluded in the late 1990s.

According to an official university statement released Wednesday afternoon, “the university recently received a letter from legal counsel on behalf of a former IU men’s basketball student-athlete, who competed at IU several decades ago.”

“The letter includes specific allegations against Dr. Brad Bomba, Sr.,” the statement reads in part. “The former student-athlete alleges that he was subjected to inappropriate prostate and rectal exams during annual physicals with Dr. Bomba, Sr., something that he also alleges was a practice for all student-athletes assigned to Dr. Bomba, Sr., for physical examinations.”

Per the statement, the university has charged Jones Day — which it also suggests has experience in “similar” investigations — with conducting what the statement describes as an independent review of those allegations.

Jones Day worked with Michigan State University on aspects of its investigation into the circumstances that eventually led to football coach Mel Tucker’s dismissal, specifically whether anyone at the university leaked the name of the woman who initially accused Tucker of sexual harassment.

IU’s statement asserted the review will include: “witness interviews, a review of available documentation and engagement with medical experts to determine: 1) the background facts related to the annual physicals of IU student athletes conducted by Dr. Bomba, Sr.; 2) if the conduct was appropriate, necessary, or within the standard of care; and 3) what medical professionals and athletic department or university officials were aware of the conduct and, if warranted, what action did they take.”

Jones Day has established a phone number (888-392-2296) and an email address (iuinvestigation@jonesday.com) for anyone wishing to contribute information throughout the review process. Anonymity can be granted, per the statement.

“This is a fully independent and comprehensive investigation that will follow the facts,” the statement reads. “Indiana University will abide by its findings any take any warranted actions.”

A graduate of IU’s medical school, Bomba served the athletics department for several decades. He acted as team physician for the 1967 Rose Bowl team, and the 1984 U.S. Olympic basketball team Bob Knight coached to a gold medal in Los Angeles.

He was also team physician at Bloomington High School South, per his Monroe County Sports Hall of Fame biography, and he served for a time as chairman of sports medicine for the Indiana State Medical Association. Bomba was licensed to practice medicine in Indiana from 1961-2013 according to mylicense.in.gov.

Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.