Six women’s basketball players who previously played under head coach Tory Verdi at Pittsburgh have filed a lawsuit alleging a hostile environment and psychological abuse
Six former University of Pittsburgh women’s basketball players who played under head coach Tory Verdi filed a lawsuit against the coach, alleging psychological abuse abd retaliation after making complaints about their former coach, according to multiplereports.
On Friday, six former Pitt student-athletes filed individual lawsuits in the U.S. district court for the western district of Pennsylvania, alleging retaliation, Title IX violations, the creation of a hostile educational environment, intentionally inflicting emotional distress, breach of contract in the removal of student scholarships and more.
The six plaintiffs named in the lawsuit are Favor Ayodele, Makayla Elmore, Brooklynn Miles, Isabella Perkins, Jasmine Timmerson and Raeven Boswell, who remains a student at Pitt.
“This case is not about the Xs and Os of coaching,” the plaintiffs' attorney Keenan Holmes told TribLive. “Some of his actions go beyond sports. This went beyond the bounds of decency."
Perkins’ complaint states that she was recruited to play on a scholarship from Verdi, who promised “an inclusive, empowering team environment.” But she claims she suffered “public humiliation, verbal degradation, arbitrary reductions in playing time, exclusion from team activities, favoritism of other players, manipulation of player statistics and inappropriate commentary regarding plaintiff’s physical appearance, emotional state, and performance.”
Perkins also claims Verdi removed her from the team without due process after she complained about the team environment. The university then allegedly delayed her attempt to redshirt for that season and only took action after Perkins retained a lawyer. It is also alleged in the lawsuit that Verdi tried to create a racial divide amongst the team.
Players claim Verdi's behavior was reported to university staff, but no action was taken.
The six women are seeking monetary damages, as well as acknowledgment from the university that Title IX violations took place.
Verdi was hired by Pitt in the spring of 2023, and he has a 29-60 record in three seasons. Previously, he coached at UMass and Eastern Michigan.
Category: General Sports
