An Ohio high school has shut down its football season over claims of sexual assault, hazing and stalking.
Ursuline High School has been the subject of two separate lawsuits of late and suspended its head coach – while two assistants have been placed on leave.
‘The issues that have been raised with our team have saddened and shaken us,’ the school’s leadership said in a statement, as relayed by Cleveland 19.
‘As we have previously reported, disciplinary actions were taken against some students, others left the program or our school entirely before discipline could be imposed, our head coach has been suspended, two assistant coaches are on administrative leave, and we continue to cooperate with investigations of this very serious matter.
The first of the two lawsuits – which were both filed by Chandra Law – alleges that a former football player at the school was hazed, physically and sexually assaulted and subjected to the creation of child pornography during a football camp this past June.
During the camp, the player was allegedly recorded by others as a teammate ‘humped’ him against his will. The incident was allegedly posted to the team’s group Snapchat.
Ursuline High School in Ohio has cancelled its football season over claims of sexual assault, hazing and abuse
It is alleged that a football player was sexually assaulted during a camp in June
In another incident, it is alleged that teammates of the victim tried to rip off his pants and underwear while covering his mouth to prevent him from yelling.
However, when the player’s mother allegedly reported the abuse to an assistant coach, he is said to have responded: ‘It’s just boys being boys.’
A second lawsuit – which alleges Title IX violations – was later filed against the school on behalf of a minor female, with the suit claiming that a ‘star football player’ sexually harassed, stalked and even violently assaulted her.
According to the lawsuit, the player ‘repeatedly solicited’ the girl for nude photos – resulting in the girl rejecting his advances and blocking him on Snapchat.
The player allegedly responded by picking her up and ‘violently dropping’ her on the ground twice during a gym class, and dragging her across the turf for 30 yards.
It is said that the girl was left with severe turf burns on her back as a result.
Allegedly, the girl pleaded with an assistant principal about the abuse, asking: ‘So you’re just never going to help me?’
The assistant principal allegedly replied: ‘No.’
It is also said that the same assistant principal and the athletic director were aware of the alleged abuse yet failed to report the incidents to law enforcement.
Amid the abuse, the mother of the girl allegedly sold her home and moved her to a different school district for her safety.
Lawyer Subodh Chandra said in a statement: ‘The suit alleges Defendants treated [the girl’s] life, safety, and dignity as less important than winning football games. They allegedly covered for their star football player, lied to [her mother], and ignored the repeated pleas of their student and her family.
‘They’re claimed to have acted with deliberate indifference toward a young, innocent girl’s physical and emotional well-being. She remains in back pain. With this suit, the family seeks to force the defendants to live up to their duty to protect all students – not just their precious football stars.’
