Chairman Brady Addresses USM Community on the Walters Inc. Report

Baltimore, Md. (Sept. 22, 2018) -- As you know, the University System of Maryland Board of Regents was briefed Friday afternoon (Sept. 21) by Dr. Rod Walters on the findings of his investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of University of Maryland, College Park football player, Jordan McNair.  Dr. Walters and I subsequently briefed the media and shared a copy of the report, which you can find here.

As I stated in my remarks Friday night, Mr. McNair’s death has been devastating, for his family and friends, for the university, for the USM, and for the entire state of Maryland.  We can never make up for this loss.

But we can and must learn from what happened, how it was handled, and make any necessary and appropriate changes to ensure that it never happens again.

Since assuming responsibility for this investigation in August, the Board of Regents has been entirely focused on making sure we can get as many facts as we can, so we can make fully informed decisions about any actions we take to help prevent similar tragedies in the future. 

As you know, Dr. Walters’ investigation is one of two independent reviews.  His report is, in my mind, the first step in a two-step fact finding process. 

Separately, an 8-member commission is reviewing the overall culture of the football program at College Park.  We will give that body the time and independence it needs to get the facts. 

When they have completed their work, they will report their findings to the Board of Regents.   The board will then make whatever decisions necessary to safeguard the wellbeing of our students.  And we’ll share that information with the public transparently.

I also want to note that we shared the findings with Jordan McNair’s family Thursday night and what we shared publicly yesterday was with their consent.

While I won’t summarize the report’s findings here, I do want to note that many of its recommendations related to student health and safety have already been addressed by UMCP.

I look forward to receiving the findings of the separate, independent commission, which I expect will provide us with the information we need to make any final decisions or take any necessary actions.  We will not act, judge or speculate before all the facts are in.

Sincerely,

James T. Brady
Chair
University System of Maryland Board of Regents



 

Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu