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Former Iowa State star Nikki Moody sues coach

Sports

April 18th, 2016 by admin

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former Iowa State basketball star Nikki Moody is suing coach Bill Fennelly, the university and the state for racial discrimination and retaliation.

A lawsuit in state district court says that Fennelly, who has been Iowa State’s coach since 1995, constantly demeaned, berated, harassed and discriminated against Moody, who is black. Moody said the discrimination she suffered led to a “hostile education environment through racial harassment.”

Moody, who graduated in 2015 as a four-year starter and the career leader in assists for the Cyclones, said the abuse caused her severe emotional distress, adding that her complaints to assistant coaches and a senior athletics administrator weren’t responded to.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. The university did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.