Iowa St HC, School, State being Sued by Former Star Player

[Wbbfan1]

APNewsBreak: Former Iowa St star Nikki Moody sues coach

Former Iowa State basketball star Nikki Moody has sued coach Bill Fennelly, the university and the state for racial discrimination and retaliation, saying she was repeatedly called a "thug" and labeled a selfish player despite being the program's career assists leader.

What is going on in College Athletics. So many schools, coaches etc are being sued.

 

[southie]

That is certainly alarming. Have to wonder why she stayed there all 4 years, and why it has taken a year after she left to file her suit.

 

[Kaizen]

I wonder if DD's father will sue coach not giving DD enough playing time and hinting DD is a selfish player?

 

[Plebe]

Moody had a very conflicted relationship with Fennelly, which was openly reported in the media. Just before the start of her senior season, he indefinitely suspended her and openly criticized her attitude.

 

[Vowelguy]

What is going on in College Athletics. So many schools, coaches etc are being sued.

Once the stakes get higher, there's bound to be more discontent.

 

[UcMiami]

Interesting - I am sure a lot of players would like to be discriminated against to the tune of 32+ minutes a game for their careers! I know playing time does not correlate to treatment, but ...

We do live in a litigious society and one in which filing of lawsuits is relatively easy and typically quite inexpensive - lawyers working for contingency fees often makes it cost free.

 

[wbbfan]

Full document of the lawsuit available here:

Moody/Fennelly

 

[Wbbfan1]

Item 21 from the Lawsuit :

Sessler* made it clear to Nichole that the Athletics Department only wanted athletes to pursue majors that could be manipulated by athletics staff.

*Sessler is the Academic Advisor.

I'm sure this happens at many universities/schools. Athletes are discouraged from pursuing more difficult majors.

If Moody gets the backing from the other black players and if any of the white players will speak up Fennelly will lose his job over this lawsuit.

 

[UcMiami]

Item 21 from the Lawsuit :

Sessler* made it clear to Nichole that the Athletics Department only wanted athletes to pursue majors that could be manipulated by athletics staff.

*Sessler is the Academic Advisor.

I'm sure this happens at many universities/schools. Athletes are discouraged from pursuing more difficult majors.

If Moody gets the backing from the other black players and if any of the white players will speak up Fennelly will lose his job over this lawsuit.

Those are big ifs - it didn't go down that way at Illinois.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Item 21 from the Lawsuit :

Sessler* made it clear to Nichole that the Athletics Department only wanted athletes to pursue majors that could be manipulated by athletics staff.

*Sessler is the Academic Advisor.

I'm sure this happens at many universities/schools. Athletes are discouraged from pursuing more difficult majors.

If Moody gets the backing from the other black players and if any of the white players will speak up Fennelly will lose his job over this lawsuit.

Yes, athletes, particularly in winter sports, are probably steered to manageable majors. I know of one student who insisted on a particular major and had to miss a game because the professor would not permit the athlete to miss a particular test (or take it as many athletes do, under the supervision of their Academic Adviser, on the road).

And for all they are "student athletes" it is very difficult with the winter sports which span both semesters and therefore impact their class schedules in both semesters as well.

I don't condone "basket weaving" or academic fraud, but I do accept steering athletes to a workable class load in a viable major. Grad school is always an option.

 

[Wbbfan1]

If a player has the academic aptitude to take a harder major and its been the players life long dream then schools should come up with a manageable schedule for the player(s). If core courses need to be postponed, then make a commitment to the player that they'll receive an academic or other type of scholarship when the players playing time is over. Agree its harder when the player involved is a starter.

Yes, athletes, particularly in winter sports, are probably steered to manageable majors. I know of one student who insisted on a particular major and had to miss a game because the professor would not permit the athlete to miss a particular test (or take it as many athletes do, under the supervision of their Academic Adviser, on the road).

And for all they are "student athletes" it is very difficult with the winter sports which span both semesters and therefore impact their class schedules in both semesters as well.

I don't condone "basket weaving" or academic fraud, but I do accept steering athletes to a workable class load in a viable major. Grad school is always an option.

 

[sarals24]

Yikes. Some of those allegations are pretty bad.

 

[DaddyChoc]

I wonder if DD's father will sue coach not giving DD enough playing time and hinting DD is a selfish player?

uncalled for