3rd Victim of IU Basketball Coach Doctor Bradford Bomba Comes forth

Lawsuit Exposes Alleged Sexual Abuse of Two Former Indiana University Basketball Players by Team Doctor

October 18, 2024 —A new class-action lawsuit filed on October 16, 2024, in the US District Court for Southern Indiana accuses Indiana University of failing to protect two former students and basketball players from repeated sexual assaults by Dr. Bradford Bomba Sr. in the 1990s. The lawsuit claims that coaches and trainers likely knew about the abuse, as players openly discussed it in the locker room in front of IU staff, but no action was taken to stop it.

A recent press release about the lawsuit states that the university showed “deliberate indifference” as Dr. Bomba Sr. subjected athletes to unnecessary and abusive rectal and prostate exams, typically only performed on men over 40. Bomba served as the IU Hoosiers’ team doctor for nearly 30 years until the late 1990s, according to the suit.

The two former players, Haris Mujezinovic and Charlie Miller, have spoken out about their experiences. Mujezinovic recalls teammates joking when he was assigned to Dr. Bomba, warning him to “prepare for ‘the finger'” and commenting on the size of the doctor’s hands. The lawsuit details Mujezinovic’s attempts to avoid further exams, including hiding lubricant before an appointment. Miller reports being forced to comply with the exam all four years at the school.

Mujezinovic stated, “I’m speaking up for all student-athletes who’ve faced abuse. I hope more former teammates will share their stories publicly.” Miller added, “I can’t understand why IU leaders did nothing to shield us from what I now know was sexual abuse.” The attorney representing the two men believes there could be at least 100 more victims.

The lawsuit describes Mujezinovic’s first physical with Dr. Bomba, which included a rectal exam. On a second visit, Bomba allegedly “digitally extracted a stool sample from Mujezinovic, denying him any chance to provide a sample by other means,” according to the suit. The following year, Mujezinovic tried to avoid another rectal exam by hiding the lubricant Bomba kept in his exam room on a high shelf before the doctor arrived.

This case sheds light on a disturbing chapter in Indiana University’s history and raises questions about the responsibility of educational institutions to protect their students from abuse. As the lawsuit progresses, it may encourage more victims to come forward and prompt a broader discussion about safeguarding student-athletes.

The lawsuit claims Indiana University failed to protect students and must have safety measures against predators to receive federal funding under Title IX. According to the suit, Indiana University hired Bomba to provide medical care for all sports teams from 1962 to 1970, and he served as the basketball team doctor from 1979 until the late 1990s.

Indiana University’s lawyers said they will conduct an independent review of the abuse claims. This will include interviewing witnesses, examining available documents, and consulting medical experts. The review aims to determine the facts about Dr. Bomba Sr.’s annual physicals, assess if his conduct was appropriate and necessary or within the standard of care, and find out what medical professionals and university officials knew about it.

About Doctor Bradford Bomba Sr.

Bradford Bomba Sr, 88, was the men’s basketball team doctor at Indiana University for 20 years. He’s in the Indiana Athletics Hall of Fame. Bomba, a former IU football player, was called “Frankenstein” by coaches and players “because of his large hands and fingers,” the lawsuit states. His achievements include:

• Team doctor for IU’s 1967 Rose Bowl team
• Head of Sports Medicine Committee, Indiana State Medical Association
• Team doctor for 1984 USA Olympic Basketball
• Team doctor for Bloomington South High School
• Chief team doctor for IU men’s basketball
• Inducted into IU Athletics Hall of Fame
• Received Zora G. Clevenger Award
• Served IU for 50 years

His son, Bradford J. Bomba Jr, now works as an internal health doctor in the Indiana University Health System.

This isn’t the first time a university has been sued for ignoring sexual abuse by staff. In 2018, former Ohio State University wrestlers sued, saying their coaches knew about Dr. Richard Strauss’s predatory behavior but did nothing. Horowitz Law represents sexual abuse survivors and has handled many cases involving authority figures in schools. Schools should be safe places for children to learn and grow, free from violence, bullying, harassment, and sexual abuse. Coaches should help students learn and support their education and training. Anyone who sexually abuses students shouldn’t work in community or school sports programs. Organizations that allow such crimes must be held responsible for not properly screening potential coaches and protecting their players.

If you are a survivor of child sex abuse, no matter what state it took place in, or even how long ago the abuse took place contact the Schmidt National Law Group today for a confidential and free case review by calling 1-800-631-5656 or use the 100% secure intake form on this page. Or email to Help@Nationalinjuryadvocates.com