Nine former student-athletes settle claims of abuse, retaliation, and wrongful dismissal from the women’s basketball program.
Kafoury & McDougal and Shenoa Payne Attorney at Law PC announce that Western Oregon University has agreed to pay $2,250,000 to settle claims brought by nine former members of the University’s women’s basketball team. Under the settlement, each plaintiff will receive between $200,000 and $325,000.
After speaking out about abusive coaching practices by Head Coach Jessica Peatross and Assistant Coach Dementrus “DJ” Marlow during the 2023–2024 season, the players were retaliated against by Western Oregon University, dismissed from the team, and stripped of their athletic scholarships, bringing many of their collegiate basketball careers to an abrupt end.
“Abusive coaching has no place in organized sports,” said attorneys Jason Kafoury and Shenoa Payne. “These young women had the courage to speak out about conduct that was wrong. Rather than protecting them, the University retaliated against them. We are pleased that Western Oregon University has now stepped up, accepted responsibility through this settlement, and provided meaningful compensation to these student-athletes for what they endured.”
The student-athletes were subjected to a pattern of extreme physical and emotional abuse throughout the season. The coaches used excessive conditioning and running as punishment, forced athletes to train while sick or injured, ignored or mocked legitimate medical concerns, denied adequate water and rest, exceeded NCAA practice limits, and retaliated against players who failed to meet unattainable standards. In addition, the coaches fostered a culture of fear by humiliating players, encouraging teammates to turn against one another, calling them degrading names, questioning their character and work ethic, threatening their playing time and scholarships, and repeatedly telling them they were weak, lazy, or worthless.
The players suffered numerous physical injuries and significant emotional harm, including dehydration, vomiting, bloody feet, exhaustion, unwanted weight loss, muscle loss, and overuse injuries, with several players requiring physical therapy and other medical treatment after being forced to continue practicing despite their injuries. The coaches’ conduct caused anxiety, emotional distress, social isolation, fear of retaliation, and deteriorating mental health, leaving many of the players physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted.
When the players reported the coaches’ conduct to university administrators, the University failed to adequately investigate their complaints. Instead, Western Oregon University retained only the two players who had not complained about the coaches, dismissed the remaining players from the team, terminated their athletic scholarships, and prematurely ended the women’s basketball season.
Read More:
Former WOU basketball players reach $2.25 million settlement with university – oregonlive.com