US Rowing found compelling evidence corroborating sexual assault allegations against former Penn rowing coach Ted Nash.
Credit: Anna VazhaeparambilA 16-month-long investigation into the sexual abuse allegations against former Penn rowing coach Ted Nash has found there to be compelling evidence to support the abuse claims made by filmmaker Jennifer Fox.
Fox, an award-winning filmmaker, alleged that she was sexually abused by Nash when she was 13 years old. A report summarizing a pro-bono investigation — which includes interviews with 47 individuals and an analysis of primary evidence — concluded that the investigation did not yield any motive for Fox to target Nash or find any evidence that refutes her accusations. Rather, the investigation “corroborated many of her allegations,” according to The New York Times.
A University spokesperson directed The Daily Pennsylvanian to Penn Athletics for comment.
“From the beginning, we have taken this matter seriously, and we are carefully assessing the report commissioned by US Rowing,” Penn Athletics wrote in a statement to the DP.
Following the results of the investigation, Fox told the DP that she “felt so relieved and so thrilled that it had been thoroughly investigated and no stone had been left unturned, and they saw that I was telling the truth.”
“It’s a huge weight off my shoulders, and I really hope it can help other women,” she added.
On March 20, 2023, Fox came forward to name Nash — who coached women's and men's rowing at Penn from 1965 to 1983 after winning two Olympic medals — as her abuser in The New York Times. In 2013, Penn honored him with the dedication of its indoor rowing center, the Coach Ted A. Nash Land Rowing Center. After going public with Nash’s name, Fox urged Penn to change the name of the center in an interview with The Daily Pennsylvanian.
“My goal is to have Nash’s name taken off of everything, not just at Penn, but everywhere,” Fox said at the time. “I think hurting his legacy is a big blow to Ted Nash and all the abusers out there.”
Two days after Fox's demand that the University remove Nash’s name from the rowing center, the DP reported that the sign at the entrance to the rowing center had been concealed by a black tarp, covering up the entire name.
“We are deeply distressed by this highly disturbing news,” Penn Athletics wrote in a statement to the DP at the time. “Our thoughts are with Jennifer Fox, and others who were similarly subject to sexual abuse.”
In light of the new report’s findings, Fox has once again called for Nash’s name to be permanently removed from everywhere he is memorialized at Penn, including the rowing center, because otherwise, “there is no justice.”
“Penn has to publicly take his name off the rolling wing, and I don’t want to see it take 10 years,” Fox said. “We have to make a clear statement that this is not acceptable … and I think Penn students can really make a difference here and make a call to action.”
According to a statement by USRowing on April 30, Fox contacted the organization in late 2022 with the claims against Nash — a past recipient of several USRowing accolades, including 2005 Man of the Year and the 2013 USRowing Medal of Honor. Upon learning of the allegations, USRowing engaged the law firm of A&O Shearman to conduct a strictly non-legal investigation over a 16-month period.
In response to the report’s findings, USRowing rescinded all honors the organization previously conferred upon Nash and stated that it would not consider him for any future awards. Whether Nash will be stripped of his Olympic medals remains unclear.
“While we understand that this outcome may be difficult for some members of our community, our commitment to a safe environment, free of abuse for the rowing community is unwavering,” the statement read. “Furthermore, we encourage all other organizations affiliated with Mr. Nash, and who may have granted him similar honors, to review the full report.”
“We want to commend Ms. Fox for having the courage to come forward and share her experience,” the USRowing statement read. “Furthermore, we would like to express our gratitude to all individuals who took part in this investigation despite the personal challenges and emotional discomfort it might have caused. Listening, supporting, and acting based on survivor reports are essential steps towards creating a society where survivors are heard, believed, and respected.”
USRowing has made the full 154-page report by the law firm A&O Shearman public “in the interest of full transparency and the safety of our sport for all current and future rowers.” The report is accompanied by a sensitive content advisory for “detailed accounts of sexual misconduct and abuse of a minor which may evoke strong emotional responses, especially for individuals who have experienced sexual trauma.”
The final report also includes excerpts from the Sept. 19, 1983 issue of the DP, which featured a piece on Nash resigning after a weeklong strike by Penn’s heavyweight rowing team. Sources close to the team reported at the time that the strike was due to issues with Nash’s “program administration and coaching techniques.”
“My message really is to the world, and to abusers, we may not get you in life, but even your legacy can be ruined,” Fox told the DP. “And, to a man like Ted Nash, legacy was everything.”
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