Suing players claim abuse by Western Oregon coaches, seek $28M - ESPN

A group of nine former Western Oregon women's basketball players has filed a lawsuit against the university, their former coaches and multiple school administrators, alleging multiple forms of abuse that included excessive practice conditions and inappropriate comments being made about players' bodies.

The lawsuit, filed in Marion County (Ore.) Circuit Court on Wednesday morning, seeks roughly $28 million. It has been expected since September, when the law firm representing the players filed a notice of claim that laid out various forms of alleged abuse from coach Jessica Peatross and assistant coach DJ Marlow.

«Peatross and Marlow physically abused plaintiffs through using excessive and unreasonable amounts of exercise as punishment contrary to NCAA guidelines provided to all NCAA Division II schools, and emotionally abused and humiliated plaintiffs through disparaging comments about their bodies, tearing them down, belittling them, and telling them they were worthless,» the lawsuit says.

The types of abuse alleged in the lawsuit include unlawful First Amendment retaliation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, negligent retention and supervision, and use of police with intent to harm.

The university did not reply to a request Wednesday seeking comment.

Multiple players told ESPN that there were «red flags» immediately after Peatross and Marlow arrived at the school in June 2023, with Peatross making comments about players' bodies.

The lawsuit says Peatross and Marlow demanded junior guard Ana McClave attend workouts in August despite not being cleared medically after offseason knee surgery. When McClave declined, Peatross demanded to see the scar from her surgery and told McClave she was «weak» and