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Bill Beekman announced as MSU's permanent athletic director

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Bill Beekman will be MSU's permanent athletic director.

Beekman's official appointment comes after about five months serving as the interim director.

MSU interim president John Engler said at the announcement Monday that he originally intended to hire from outside the athletic department. But he says after speaking with coaches about Beekman's performance, he decided to keep him on.

Beekman was brought on following the criminal conviction of former MSU sports doctor Larry Nassar.

Nassar assaulted his patients for decades. Some of those patients were MSU students.

Beekman says he's implemented new training and policies following the Nassar scandal.

"But all the rules in the world won't make a different unless we have a culture committed to the health, safety, and wellness of every member of our community. That commitment will permeate everything we do."

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"Among the over 300 survivors who came forward that were subject to Larry Nassar's horrific acts, over 30 were MSU students and several of those students were student athletes. We must do better and we will."

Beekman says he wants to focus on the success of student athletes.

Beekman's official appointment is pending the approval of the MSU Board of Trustees.