Mike Polisky stepped down May 12 from his newly appointed role as Northwestern University athletic director as criticism continued to mount against his hiring, The Chicago Tribune reported.
He was named athletic director May 3.
Polisky is one of four defendants along with the university in a sexual-harassment lawsuit by former cheerleader Hayden Richardson, whose complaint said he dismissed her claim and accused her of fabricating evidence. In addition, Polisky also has been criticized by Black cheerleaders who said he did not take their complaints of racial discrimination seriously.
"I do not want to be a distraction to our incredible men and women as they pursue a collective goalto help our student-athletes become the best they can be," Policy said in a statement. "While my family and I are disappointed, I move forward knowing this is the right decision."
More than 140 people connected to the university had signed a letter addressed to the university board of trustees in support of controversial new athletic director Mike Polisky, The Chicago Tribune reported.
An anti-Polisky protest/march took place May 7.
The full article is at www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-northwestern-mike-polisky-resigns-20210512-tqbv53dbkffy5kp4vs5i2sujay-story.html .