Former University of Nebraska women’s basketball player, Ashley Scoggin, has filed a 28-page lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the University of Nebraska, Athletics Director Trev Alberts, head coach Amy Williams, and former coach Chuck Love Jr. The lawsuit alleges a hostile educational environment and inappropriate sexual relationship, leading to Scoggin’s dismissal from the team.
According to the lawsuit, Scoggin was recruited by Chuck Love Jr. and later began an internship in the summer of 2021 working in Love’s office. The lawsuit claims that their relationship grew intimate and eventually led to demands for sex when and where Love wanted it, often on school property or hotels at away games. When Scoggin refused an invitation for sex, she allegedly experienced a decrease in playtime as punishment.
The lawsuit further alleges that when the teammates became suspicious of the relationship, they set up a video camera in Love’s hotel room and reported the relationship to head coach Amy Williams. However, Williams did not take appropriate action to protect Scoggin’s confidentiality and allowed the team to interrogate both Love and Scoggin about the relationship, resulting in Scoggin feeling panicked, trapped, and ashamed.
As a result of the media coverage, Scoggin claims she lost her housing, had to fight to keep access to education and physical therapy, and suffered emotionally and professionally. The lawsuit also accuses the University of Nebraska and Athletics Director Trev Alberts of failing to conduct a proper investigation and violating Title IX.
In conclusion, the lawsuit alleges that Scoggin was subjected to sexual harassment by a university employee, and the university failed to implement policies to prevent and remedy the harassment, ultimately punishing Scoggin for the harassment. Scoggin is seeking compensatory and punitive damages as well as attorney fees under the Fourth, Fifth, Ninth, and 14th Amendments.
The alleged incident is a concerning matter, and it is important for institutions to address such allegations seriously and ensure that they uphold the safety and well-being of their students. It remains to be seen how this legal matter will proceed, but it sheds light on the importance of taking appropriate action in response to allegations of inappropriate conduct within educational institutions.