Western Kentucky University agreed to pay a former swimmer at the school $75,000 Aug. 4 to settle a lawsuit alleging abuse.
Former WKU student Collin Craig’s lawsuit claimed that he was physically and emotionally abused by athletic officials and teammates during his freshman year at the school in 2014.
Craig agreed not to criticize the university as part of the settlement and the school will not admit to any wrongdoing, reports wdrb.com.
The university will pay $50,000 to Craig and an insurance carrier will pay the remainder of the settlement.
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Craig’s allegations sparked investigations by the Bowling Green Police Department and the university. Both investigations found evidence of student conduct violations, sexual misconduct and assault. As a result of those findings, the university suspended its swimming and diving program for five years.
In the lawsuit, Craig described being the victim of a series of demeaning and abusive behaviors throughout his freshman year. He claimed he was forced to excessively drink alcohol, vandalize a school statue and deprived of sleep. Craig also said he was repeatedly hit in the testicles, forced to strip down to his underwear and threatened with sexual violence and a rifle.
Craig’s attorney says he is satisfied with the settlement and hoping to continue his swimming career. An attorney for the university characterized the settlement as an “economic resolution of a doubted and disputed claim.”
