Kevin Forde

The president of Minot State University has confirmed that he had ordered an external investigation of the university’s former athletic director, Kevin Forde, after a formal complaint was made alleging unwanted touching and unequal treatment between male and female coaches and staff.

According to a statement by MSU President Steve Shirley, the complaint against Forde was filed in October 2023 by an employee within the university’s Athletic Department. Shirley said after an initial assessment of the complaint and the surrounding facts, he made the decision to hire an external, neutral investigator to complete an investigation. The investigation by Special Assistant Attorney General Meredith Vukelic had been ongoing for the last two months, and her expansive report was delivered on Jan. 10.

“In reviewing the report and multiple issues uncovered through this extensive investigation, it became apparent MSU had fallen short of our expectations for an appropriate workplace environment within Athletics. Mr. Forde and I met after the report was completed, and he informed me of his resignation as MSU’s athletic director effective January 12, 2024,” Shirley said in his statement. Forde had been hired in July 2022 and had received a largely positive evaluation from Shirley last Aug. 4, according to the report.

Vukelic’s report detailed information gleaned from interviews with 18 individuals, including Forde. Though there were several witnesses who shared positive experiences and perceptions of Forde, many more laid out a history of complaints of unwanted touching and allegations that Forde applied differing standards of discipline and conduct to coaches and staff based on their sex.

One male employee interviewed by Vukelic described Forde as a “true North Dakota guy,” regarding his tendency to pat people on the back. Specific accusations levied by multiple individuals, both male and female, included unwanted touching, typically involving the touching or rubbing of necks, shoulders and backs. One current male coach told the investigator that good employees had been “chased out because of their discomfort,” describing the touching as “non-stop.”

A Title IX complaint reported in 2022 resulted in a meeting between the university’s Human Resources and Forde, and a written disciplinary document was issued by Shirley in October 2023, after a litany of complaints indicated Forde had not corrected his conduct. When given the disciplinary document in October, Forde reportedly stated that he’s used to physical contact like hugging and back patting due to the genial air at events such as holiday parties, booster luncheons and other meetings, but he does his best to be “diligent” with who he touches.

Multiple female coaches and graduate assistants complained that Forde micromanaged them more and said they were more likely than their male counterparts to be accused of treating their teams too harshly. Interviewees also shared anecdotes involving the actions or conduct of male coaches that were either not addressed or not taken seriously in contrast to the severe corrective action taken against some female coaches who were suspended for similar or less egregious conduct.

In one instance, one complaint alleged a male coach was found to be following risque accounts on the social media app TikTok and was using the account a year after being instructed by Forde to delete it. A second complaint involved an allegation that a different male coach had wagered with a University of Mary athlete on whether he had sex with a female MSU athlete. Despite additional complaints, reports to HR and interviews in which Forde participated, no referrals to Title IX were made for either incident. Forde was previously the assistant athletic director at the University of Mary.

Though Vukelic stated in her report that Forde’s conduct had not violated either Title VII or Title IX standards, she determined his actions had violated MSU policies and those of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education. Vukelic stated Forde’s conduct had a detrimental effect on his performance and working relationships, which in turn damaged “the discipline or efficiency” of his office. Vukelic said she supported dismissing Forde from his position for cause. Forde submitted his resignation two days after the report was received by the university.

“We will certainly learn from this experience and these findings to improve MSU. It is imperative we ensure our workplace environment is the absolute best, fairest and most productive it can be for every employee who is part of the MSU family,” Shirley said in the statement.

MSU Vice President of Student Affairs Kevin Harmon has been announced as the university’s interim athletic director, following Forde’s resignation.

Forde could not be reached for comment.