Former Husker women's basketball player files lawsuit claiming she was 'groomed' by former coach

Feb. 20, 2024, 9:54 a.m. ·

Ashley Scoggin.webp
(Scott Bruhn/Nebraska Communications)

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A former women’s basketball player at the University of Nebraska has filed a lawsuit claiming the school and the team’s head coach were aware of and mishandled an inappropriate sexual relationship between her and a member of the coaching staff.

Ashley Scoggin filed a federal lawsuit arguing the school should have better protected her before and after the relationship left her publicly humiliated. The University of Nebraska Athletic Department, head women’s basketball coach Amy Williams, and former Associate Head Coach Chuck Love are named in the lawsuit.

The complaint filed Monday in federal district court, alleges Love “groomed” Scoggin to participate in a secret sexual relationship which left the student “vulnerable to the plans of a predatory coach.”

The complaint states Williams and the university had a duty, under Title IX discrimination laws, to protect her from such behavior. Instead, according to the complaint, the school acted to avoid scandal and embarrassment.

Scoggin claims in the court filing that while on the road for a game against Penn State in 2022, team members barged into Love’s hotel room with a video camera in an effort to get proof of the relationship.

The lawsuit claims a practice team player posed as Love in order to obtain a room key.

Later, according to the lawsuit, Williams called a team meeting at which Scoggin was allegedly subjected to an interrogation by team members that left her “profoundly ashamed.”

The lawsuit also claims the school failed to fully investigate the matter.

After the Athletic Department announced to the media Scoggin had been removed from the team and Love put on suspension with pay, speculation about the relationship became public.

Scoggin now plays at the University of Las Vegas. Love resigned his position a few months after the trip to Penn State. Williams remains the team’s head coach.

Scoggin seeks a jury trial to answer the allegations and asked the court for unspecified damages.

In response to a request for comment, Melissa Lee, a spokesperson for the University of Nebraska said: “The University was made aware of the lawsuit (Monday) morning. While the university does not comment on the specifics of pending litigation, it does not agree with the allegations contained in the Complaint and intends to vigorously defend this mater”.