Northwestern AD Faces Criticism for 2015 Book Calling Women ‘Man’s Greatest Distraction’

Derrick Gragg’s book has resurfaced following hazing scandals at the school, most notably within the football program.

As the hazing scandal at Northwestern expands beyond the school’s football program, the school’s athletic director has come under fire for a book he wrote in 2015 which described women as “man’s greatest distraction.”

Derrick Gragg wrote the book, titled 40 Days of Direction: Life Lessons from the Talented Ten, while he was the AD at University of Tulsa. In it, he aimed to give advice to young men looking to fulfill their athletic dreams, he said to the Chicago Tribune‘s Angie Leventis Lourgos.

The cover of the book reads that its goal is to provide a blueprint for “all young men who aspire to become successful.” There are two chapters dedicated to relationships with women, including one titled “Women: Our Greatest Distraction.”

After praising the women in his life, Gragg writes: “I have found that maintaining my relationships with them can be more than challenging … Therefore, I do not think that I am overstating things or exaggerating when I say that a female is often a man’s greatest distraction.”

Gragg also decries the portrayal of women in music videos and reality TV, noting, “There is nothing worse than seeing a beautiful, intelligent woman disrespect herself and those around her.”

Gragg includes a passage in a chapter titled, “Remember, She is Someone’s Daughter,” which offers his views on serious crimes like sexual assault and rape.

“I know it can be difficult to be a gentleman at all times,” Gragg writes. “We usually have only seconds to make some of the most important decisions that can ultimately change the way our lives turn out. I know it’s tough. The alcohol is flowing, she is feeling you and you are definitely feeling her. This is why it is critical for you to think with your brain and not your physical emotions or feelings during these times.”

Gragg than muses on how these types of “very serious situations” can have drastic impacts on the theoretical athletes’ lives.

“There have been many situations where athletes, fraternity members and other male students have found themselves caught up in very serious situations involving women, including sexual assault, violence and rape,” Gragg writes. “Recently, several football and basketball student athletes at big-time programs have been accused of violent crimes against women such as rape and assault. They have been thrown off their teams and out of college and ultimately may end up in prison for many years. Just imagine how much these athletes’ lives have changed in a few months, from running out of the locker room to the sound of thousands of fans, to the unthinkable life that prison may bring. I’m sure that they would do anything to change the circumstances and would not be anywhere close to the young ladies involved. But, unfortunately, life doesn’t happen like that.”

Gragg is one of the defendants named in a lawsuit brought forth by a former Northwestern women’s volleyball player that cited a hazing incident that occurred in the spring of 2021. Also named as defendants are current school president Michael Schill, former president Morton Schapiro, the school’s board of trustees, former Northwestern AD and current ACC commissioner Jim Phillips and former head volleyball coach Shane Davis.

In an emailed statement to the Tribune, Gragg explained his intentions while writing the book, and urged for the respectful treatment of women.

“One of the most important lessons that I sought to convey to my young, male readers is that all women should be treated with respect at all times,” Gragg wrote. “This is a belief I have sought to champion in both my personal life and throughout my entire career—including in my most recent position overseeing inclusion across the entire NCAA.”