July 01--Seven former Illinois women's basketball players filed a $10 million federal lawsuit on Wednesday against the university, alleging coach Matt Bollant and former assistant Mike Divilbiss created a racially hostile environment.
The suit also names athletic director Mike Thomas for not addressing the issues.
The suit was filed in federal court in Urbana by former players Amarah Coleman, Alexis Smith, Taylor Tuck, Nia Oden, Sarah Livingston, Taylor Gleason and Jacqui Grant and alleges that the university violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The allegations include:
--Coaches holding segregated practices and travel accommodations.
--Coaches calling black Illini players and opponents derogatory names such as "West Side ghetto," and describing them as "undisciplined" and "unintelligent."
--Coaches using more severe discipline for black players than white players.
--Coaches calling black players "crabs," describing them as dragging each other down much like crabs trying to crawl out of a bucket.
The lawsuit is the second filed against Illinois in the last month, including a case brought by former soccer player Casey Conine alleging the coaching and medical staff mishandled her concussion.
The university has also faced scrutiny after football player Simon Cvijanovic and other former players alleged coach Tim Beckman and the medical staff mistreated players.
In April, three basketball players parents sent letters to the university, claiming violations that are mentioned in the lawsuit. The university launched an internal investigation, which it said found no violations of law or NCAA rules, yet Divilbiss left the program shortly after the investigation.
The university received another letter in May from the seven plaintiffs, who are represented by attorney Terry Ekl, noting they were disappointed by the investigation. The university then hired Chicago law firm Pugh, Jones and Johnson to externally review claims of racial discrimination.
The firm Franczek Radelet was hired to investigate claims of medical mistreatment by one basketball player and Cvijanovic.
