17 more athletes join lawsuit vs. ex-NC State sports medicine director - ESPN

An additional 17 former North Carolina State male student-athletes have joined a lawsuit alleging «sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation» by the university's former sports medicine director, Robert Murphy. The amended complaint, filed late Friday, brings the number of plaintiffs to 31.

The lawsuit also names, as defendants, senior administrators of the athletic department, asserting the student-athletes reported the misconduct but the defendants failed to take action. It accuses them of «willful, wanton and/or reckless» conduct «done in conscious and flagrant disregard of and indifference to the rights and safety of others.»

The lawsuit was first filed in Wake County Superior Court in September. There is currently a separate case against the university filed with the North Carolina Industrial Commission, a state agency that has sole jurisdiction to adjudicate negligence cases against state public entities. That case has been stayed pending resolution of the civil case.

«The health and safety of students and student-athletes is paramount to NC State Athletics and the university,» a university spokesperson said in a statement Monday. «Sexual misconduct of any kind is unacceptable, prohibited by NC State's policies, and in direct opposition to the mission, culture and standards of the university. NC State is reviewing the lawsuit and determining appropriate next steps.»

The spokesperson said the school would not comment beyond the statement. A lawyer listed for Murphy has not responded to ESPN's request for comment.

The amended complaint accuses Murphy of misconduct during his 2012-2022 tenure at the school by using «his position of trust and confidence to sexually assault, abuse, harass, and/or groom