University Of Minnesota Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Dismissed

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A lawsuit filed by nine University of Minnesota football players, claiming racial and gender discrimination, was dismissed by a U.S. District Court judge on Tuesday, according to reports. The lawsuit was filed by players involved in a 2016 investigation into sexual assault allegations.

The players, all African-American, alleged "racial and gender discrimination; intentional, willful, and malicious misconduct; and deliberate indifference" by the university, as well as outgoing President Eric Kaler and Tina Marisam, director of the university's Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, KSTP-TV reported.

The players also claimed they were subject to "extreme gender bias" because of extensive media coverage, "pressure to crack down on alleged sexual offenders" and an ongoing investigation into the university’s "failure to properly address charges of sexual harassment by white men in the athletics department.

In a 29-page order dismissing the case, Frank found no merit in the players' claims. The university had filed a motion to dismiss last November, saying they would "vigorously defend" the claims.

However, U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank said the players offered "no factual support for their allegations of disparate treatment" they claimed were based on a "assumption" of a culture of sexual misconduct among male athletes at the University of Minnesota, the Star-Tribune reported.

The lawsuit stemmed from an incident in September 2016 when a female student accused several Gopher football players of sexual assault. After a police investigation, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office declined to press criminal charges. However, 10 players were initially suspended, leading to a bowl game boycott and eventually a coaching change.

Four players ultimately were expelled, one had his expulsion reduced to a one-year suspension and the rest were cleared of wrongdoing.