Dr. Scott Lynch, a former team physician for Penn State’s football program, has become a prominent advocate for medical autonomy in collegiate athletics following a landmark legal victory. In May 2024, a Dauphin County, Pennsylvania jury awarded Lynch $5.25 million in punitive and compensatory damages in his wrongful termination lawsuit against Penn State Health and Dr. Kevin Black, his former supervisor at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The case centered on allegations that Lynch was removed from his position as director of athletic medicine in retaliation for opposing interference by head football coach James Franklin in medical decisions concerning injured players.
The Dispute: Medical Autonomy vs. Coaching Pressure
Lynch’s tenure at Penn State was marked by increasing tensions with Coach Franklin over medical decisions. Lynch testified that Franklin attempted to influence return-to-play decisions, sometimes pressuring medical staff to clear injured players prematurely. For instance, Lynch recounted an incident where Franklin instructed him not to use the term “lateral meniscus” when discussing knee injuries with players, a directive Lynch found ethically troubling . Additionally, Lynch reported that Franklin sought to disqualify a player who had attempted suicide to free up a scholarship spot, despite the athlete still requiring medical care
In response to these pressures, Lynch made several recommendations to Penn State Health to safeguard medical autonomy, including appointing an independent athletic health care administrator. However, these suggestions were not implemented, leading Lynch to file a whistleblower lawsuit in 2019 .
Legal Proceedings and Outcome
Although Franklin and Penn State University were initially named in the lawsuit, they were dismissed due to the statute of limitations. The case proceeded against Penn State Health and Dr. Black. During the trial, Lynch’s attorneys presented evidence of Franklin’s attempts to influence medical decisions, while the defense argued that Lynch’s removal was due to logistical issues, such as his commute from Hershey to State College, rather than retaliation . The jury ultimately sided with Lynch, awarding him $250,000 in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
Broader Implications for Collegiate Athletics
Lynch views his legal victory as a critical step toward reforming how medical decisions are handled in college sports. He has criticized the NCAA for insufficient enforcement of its 2019 policy, which mandates that athletic health care providers have “unchallengeable” authority in making medical and return-to-play decisions. Lynch contends that financial pressures and the desire for athletic success often compromise the health and safety of student-athletes.
In light of his experiences, Lynch is now advocating for systemic changes to ensure that medical staff in college athletics are protected from undue influence by coaching staff. He emphasizes the need for independent oversight and transparent processes to prioritize the well-being of student-athletes above competitive interests.
Lynch’s case has sparked a national conversation about the intersection of sports performance and athlete health, highlighting the necessity for clear boundaries between medical professionals and coaching staff. As he continues to work within the medical field, Lynch remains committed to championing reforms that uphold the integrity of medical decision-making in collegiate athletics.
Leave a Reply