If you’re looking for a powerful, difficult, and crucial documentary, then HBO’s “Surviving Ohio State” is an essential watch. This film bravely exposes systemic abuse and institutional failures within a major American university. It brings to light the decades-long sexual abuse perpetrated by a former team doctor at The Ohio State University and the survivors’ arduous fight for justice and accountability.
Exploring the Ohio State Scandal
“Surviving Ohio State” delves into the harrowing story of Dr. Richard Strauss. He was a sports medicine physician and team doctor employed by The Ohio State University (OSU) from 1978 to 1998. For nearly two decades, Strauss serially abused male student-athletes and other students across various sports, including wrestling, football, gymnastics, and fencing.
Survivor Testimonies and Initial Exposures
The documentary features candid and often heartbreaking interviews. Numerous male survivors courageously share their experiences of abuse. Many are former All-American athletes. The film builds on the efforts of whistleblowers and journalists who first exposed the scandal in 2018. This includes Jon Wertheim, whose Sports Illustrated cover story “Why Aren’t More People Talking About the Ohio State Sex Abuse Scandal” inspired the film.
Exposing Institutional Failure
Beyond detailing the horrific abuse, this powerful documentary critically examines the culture that allowed Strauss’s actions to continue unchecked for so long. This occurred within a revered institution like Ohio State. It explores how a position of power, the fear of losing scholarships or athletic futures, and a pervasive silence contributed to the cover-up. The film also chronicles the survivors’ ongoing, often challenging, fight to hold the university accountable. They seek some form of justice after years of their trauma being dismissed or concealed. This HBO documentary highlights the devastating long-term impact of the abuse and the incredible resilience of those who are now speaking out.
Why “Surviving Ohio State” is a Crucial Watch:
- Brave Survivor Testimonies: The film provides a platform for the male victims to share their stories in their own words. It offers raw and authentic accounts of the abuse and its profound effects.
- Exposes Systemic Failure: It meticulously dissects the institutional failures and cultural factors that enabled the abuse to continue for decades. This serves as a powerful case study for accountability in large organizations.
- Important Social Commentary: The documentary contributes to vital conversations around sexual abuse, victim blaming, and power dynamics. This includes those in sports and academic institutions. It also explores the process of seeking justice.
- High-Profile Producers: The film boasts an acclaimed production team. This includes Oscar® and Emmy®-winning filmmaker Eva Orner (who also directed), and executive producers George Clooney, Grant Heslov, and David C. Glasser. This ensures a high level of production quality and journalistic integrity.
- Timely and Relevant: The fight for accountability at Ohio State is ongoing. This makes the documentary incredibly relevant to current events and discussions around institutional responsibility.
Who Shares Their Story in “Surviving Ohio State”
The documentary features interviews with numerous Ohio State student-athlete alumni who are survivors, including:
- Mark Coleman
- Adam DiSabato
- Michael DiSabato
- Will Knight
- Al Novakowski
- Rockey Ratliff
- Dan Ritchie
- Mike Schyck
- Stephen Snyder-Hill (OSU alumnus)
- Frederick Feeney (wrestling referee)
The film also includes archival interviews and reporting from journalists like Jon Wertheim.
Streaming the Documentary: Access Details
“Surviving Ohio State” is an HBO Original documentary. It debuted on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
You can stream the entire film on:
- Max (HBO’s streaming service)
It may also re-air on the HBO cable channel.
More Documentaries on Abuse & Justice
- Athlete A (Netflix): Explores the sexual abuse scandal involving former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar and the brave gymnasts who came forward.
- Leaving Neverland (HBO/Max): A controversial but impactful documentary about two men who allege child sexual abuse by Michael Jackson.
- Unbelievable (Netflix): A fictionalized drama series based on a true story about a series of rapes and the female detectives who pursue justice when a young woman’s assault claim is dismissed.
- Allen v. Farrow (HBO/Max): A documentary series examining the sexual abuse allegations against Woody Allen.