A New York college is facing a bombshell lawsuit over allegations that the school did nothing to protect their female lacrosse players from an allegedly abusive coach.
On Monday, attorneys representing former Colgate University student and lacrosse player Amelia Cunningham filed the lawsuit in New York County Supreme Court.
The lawsuit alleges that former lacrosse coach Kathy Taylor overtrained student-athletes to the point of injury, harassed them and made them play despite being hurt.
At least 20 players left the team during Taylor’s five-year tenure with the Colgate Raiders. Three are believed to have attempted suicide, according to court filings.
In the lawsuit, Cunningham said: ‘Colgate knew the danger that Coach Taylor posed. Over and over again, students and parents sounded the alarm’.
Cunningham, who graduated in 2024, alleged that former coach Taylor ‘abused her student athletes and treated injuries as moral failures’.
Colgate University Alumna graduate Amelia Cunningham has filed the lawsuit against the college over allegations of abuse from the school’s former women’s lacrosse head coach
The lawsuit alleges that former lacrosse coach Kathy Taylor (right) overtrained student-athletes to the point of injury, harassed them and made them play despite being hurt
The graduate also claimed that she was allegedly forced to play through injuries on numerous occasions under Taylor’s leadership.
Cunningham’s claim also alleges that Taylor ‘discouraged’ the former lacrosse team member from getting surgery for her injuries.
Once Cunningham got surgery, the lawsuit claims ‘it was too late. Her injury had become too significant to fully repaid’.
Cunningham has since undergone five surgeries for her lacrosse-related injuries. She now, according to the court filings, struggles with pain and numbness in her wrists, ending her dreams of becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
She was later diagnosed with ‘major depressive disorder and trauma, and stressor-related disorder, in large part cause by stress that resulted from her experience on the lacrosse team’, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit also alleges that Cunningham attempted suicide in 2022 as a result of her mental health struggles.
Colgate is said to have conducted an inadequate investigation into allegations of Taylor’s abusive nature, before later clearing her of any wrongdoing, according to the lawsuit.
Cunningham’s claim also alleges that Taylor ‘discouraged’ her from getting surgery for her injuries. She has since had five surgeries for her lacrosse-related injuries.
Former Colgate Raiders head coach Taylor resigned from her role in 2024
Colgate is alleged to have conducted an inadequate investigation into allegations of Taylor’s abusive nature, before later clearing her of any wrongdoing, according to the graduate’s lawsuit (Pictured: Colgate campus)
Taylor resigned from her role in 2024. At the time, she said: ‘Although I currently have two years remaining on my contract, I feel now is the time for a change in the leadership of the women’s lacrosse program.
‘Colgate University and the Athletics Department are in good hands. I am grateful for my time spent here. The team is in a great place to soar.
‘The student-athletes are committed and hardworking, and they embody the oneness necessary to be successful. The culture is healthy with a positive mindset, and I look forward to watching this program chase championships in the future.’
Taylor joined the Raiders back in 2019 and lead the team to three Patriot League tournament appearances during her time in charge.
Colgate University refused to provide comment. Taylor could not be reached.
