Our Clients:

Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Jan 31, 2025 11:53 am

Report: 9 Western Oregon players file $28M suit, claim coach abuse

western oregon basketball

Nine former women’s basketball players at Western Oregon are suing their coaches and school, contending they were victims of physical abuse and bullying.

In the 58-page lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Oregon’s Marion County Circuit Court, the players allege head coach Jessica Peatross and assistant DJ Marlow subjected them to treatment that resulted in overuse injuries, vomiting and bloody feet. The women also claim the coaches belittled them by calling them names and insulting both their bodies and work ethic.

The players are seeking $28.2 million and additional punitive damages in the suit, which names the coaches, the athletic director, university president and dean of students.

The nine women, who were part of the 2023-24 team, also allege they were stripped of their scholarships and kicked off the team as retaliation for taking their claims to university higher-ups. They are asking for Peatross and Marlow to be fired, for the university to provide counseling to former and current players, and for players who still attend Western Oregon to be reinstated.

Peatross and Marlow were hired at Western Oregon, a Division II program, in June 2023. The season ended six games early following a dispute in practice on Feb. 12, 2024, when Peatross and a player were involved in an altercation.

In a team meeting, when coaches asked players if they wanted to continue the season, they said no.

The university issued a statement to The (Salem, Ore.) Statesman Journal in response to the suit.

“Western is committed to upholding its values and fostering an environment that promotes student success, well-being, and a sense of belonging for all,” read the statement.

The university was expecting the lawsuit after attorneys for the players filed a notice of claim last September that alleged emotional and physical abuse.

Peatross and Marlow remain the coaches of the Wolves, who are 7-11 on the season.

–Field Level Media

You may also like

tottenham, stadium, view
Feb 15, 2025 1:22 am

Spurs, Manchester United search for change in fortunes

Backsliding Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will both be looking for a momentum-changing result when they meet on Sunday in North London. United (8-11-5, 29 points) and Spurs (8-13-3, 27…

Napheesa Collier
Feb 15, 2025 1:14 am

Napheesa Collier claims Unrivaled one-on-one title

Napheesa Collier clinched the Unrivaled one-on-one tournament in a most fitting fashion. The forward, who is the reigning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, shut out Washington Mystics forward Aaliyah…

dodgers, ohtani, sits
Feb 15, 2025 12:36 am

Dodgers president envisions 5-man rotation for start of season

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ plan to use a six-man rotation this season is on hold until one of the half-dozen, star right-hander Shohei Ohtani, returns to the mound in May,…

More News News

tottenham, stadium, view
Feb 15, 2025 1:22 am

Spurs, Manchester United search for change in fortunes

Backsliding Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will both be looking for a momentum-changing result when they meet on Sunday in North London. United (8-11-5, 29 points) and Spurs (8-13-3, 27…

Napheesa Collier
Feb 15, 2025 1:14 am

Napheesa Collier claims Unrivaled one-on-one title

dodgers, ohtani, sits
Feb 15, 2025 12:36 am

Dodgers president envisions 5-man rotation for start of season

Jordan Woodruff
Feb 14, 2025 11:11 pm

NTMR, Timeless part of 4-way tie atop OCS NA Stage 1

Roddy Gayle
Feb 14, 2025 10:50 pm

Ohio State eyes role as disrupter vs. No. 20 Michigan

Read all
fb-post
advertisment
title-icon

Upcoming events

See all odds