Bo Schembechler Statue On University of Michigan Campus Vandalized With Red Paint

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — A statue of football coach Glenn "Bo" Schembechler on the University of Michigan campus has been vandalized with paint.

In addition to the red paint splatters, a message supporting sexual assault victims of a former sports doctor has been written on the steps beneath it.

ANN ARBOR, MI - JUNE 16: A statue of former University of Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler stands outside of Schembechler Hall on the UM campus on June 16, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Several dozen people are accusing the late Dr. Robert Anderson, former Head of University of Michigan Health Services and former UM football team doctor, of sexually abusing or sexually assaulting them. Matthew Schembechler, son of former Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler, and others have claimed they had notified Bo Schembechler about the abuse and that he had done nothing about it. Dr. Anderson passed away in 2008. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

On Wednesday, Nov. 24, a crew was working to remove the paint from the statue, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Written in black on the steps was: "Bo knew #hailtothevictims."

On Wednesday, the university said the vandalism was under investigation.

A law firm hired by U-M found that officials failed to stop the late Dr. Robert Anderson, despite hearing reports that he sexually assaulted student-athletes. The university is in mediation with lawyers who are seeking a financial settlement for 800-plus people, mostly men.

Former Michigan football players have said they told Schembechler in the 1970s about Anderson's behavior during physical exams.

Schembechler's son, Matt, has said he told his father that Anderson assaulted him as a child. Another son, Glenn, does not think his father was aware that Anderson was doing anything unacceptable during exams.

An email sent to the Free Press Wednesday morning read, "This action is done in solidarity with the Hail to the Victims campaign," according to the newspaper.

"Bo pulled strings and bent over backwards to ensure that Anderson could keep his job," the email continued. "It is time for the world to know that Bo is responsible for the abuse of innumerable Michigan football players."

Some have called for Schembechler's statue to be taken down and his name removed from the football building.

Anderson retired in 2003 and died in 2008.

Schembechler, who died in 2006, is hailed as the greatest coach of college football's winningest program. He led the Wolverines from 1969-89, won 194 games at the school, and had 234 victories including wins over six seasons at Miami of Ohio.

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