On Oct. 17, Michigan’s football team played Delaware State, which amounted to a sure win for U-M and big payday for Delaware State.
Arif Khan, a 19-year-old biology and psychology double major at Eastern Michigan University, worked the south stairwell at Michigan Stadium that day. He’s been doing security for the university’s department of public safety for the past two years.
Shortly after the game an elderly man and woman approached Khan at a door that leads to the board of regents’ guest area.
Initially, the two walked past Khan, who asked for their credentials.
“I did not recognize him,” he said. “I didn’t hear of his name. I didn’t know what he looked like. I had no idea who he was.”
He was U-M Athletic Director Bill Martin.
After being informed by Khan he couldn’t enter, Martin got “upset,” a police report stated. Martin gripped a large area of Khan’s DPS issued uniform windbreaker near his chest, pushed him and said, “I am the athletic director. I can go in.”
Khan then told Martin he could try to find someone to help him, only to have Martin respond by grabbing Khan’s identification badge and saying, “I want to know your name.”
An event staff member identified Martin as the athletic director and allowed him to enter.
Khan was overheard discussing the confrontation later and a police report was filed, as such is standard with all DPS related incidents.
He decided not to take legal action, thus closing the case.
“I did not press charges because I wanted a speedy, peaceful resolution,” he said. “I just wanted to hear an apology from him.”
More than a week later Khan received a phone apology from Martin.
“He sounded sincere at the time,” Khan said. “I accepted his apology.”
Khan learned soon after Martin’s apology the athletic director had a similar incident with one of his coworkers.
Martin said in a statement Khan “did not have the DPS regular blue uniform on,” an allegation Khan said is “inaccurate.”
“I was just like, OK, this guy is definitely not sincere about his apology,” he said.
Kahn said he regrets his legal decision.
“Had I known that before, I probably would have pressed charges,” he said.
