Judge dismisses Title IX discrimination claims by former Huntington University runners

A federal judge dismissed sex discrimination claims filed by former Huntington University distance runners against fired track coach Nicholas Johnson and other school officials, ruling that the plaintiffs failed to meet the requirements to prove a violation of the federal Title IX law.

The lawsuit, filed last year, alleged a doping scheme resembling the Oregon program used by Alberto Salazar, a track coach sanctioned for doping and sexual misconduct. It alleged that the female student athletes were victimized by a coach who "gave Larry Nassaresque massages all while acting like Lance Armstrong's Tour de France pharmacist injecting unknown substances into" their bodies.

The alleged federal violation centered around Title IX, a civil rights law barring sex discrimination in schools receiving government funds. The lawsuit alleged that university officials violated Title IX by failing to take action to protect female athletes from Johnson, by singling them out for abuse and by treating them differently from male runners.

But U.S. District Judge Holly A. Brady said the complaint, while filled with "over-heated rhetoric" and "inflammatory references," lacked substantive facts that show the university has "actual knowledge" of the abuse and was "deliberately indifferent" to it.

Jon Little, attorney for the plaintiffs, said he "vehemently" disagrees with the ruling, which he described as "a pretty sad reflection on the American judicial system." Little said the decision shows that Title IX is a "gutted" statute.

Little cited an August 2020 meeting attended by one of the defendants, Russ Degitz, the university's chief operating officer, in which Johnson admitted being accused of sexually assaulting a minor student.

"If that is not notice to a university, what is?" Little said.

In her ruling, the judge said the meeting was mostly about recruiting violations and did not involve allegations that Degitz knew about or witnessed Johnson abusing the plaintiffs or other Huntington University students. The minor mentioned in the meeting was not one of the plaintiffs and was not a student at the school.

Huntington University: Christian college coach created a culture of doping and sex, star runners allege

"This decision supports the University's position that the allegations brought forward in the civil lawsuit are not Title IX violations," Cindy Sisson, Huntington University's interim vice president of enrollment management and marketing, said in a statement. "Huntington University has had a legacy impact on providing a safe and compassionate environment for all students, faculty and staff for 126 years, and we will remain vigilant in continuing that legacy."

Johnson is facing criminal charges in a separate case involving one of the female athletes.

IndyStar first reported in October 2022 about allegations by student athletes that Johnson created a cult-like atmosphere filled with emotional, physical and sexual abuse, and forced injections of unknown substances. The lawsuit ― filed on behalf of former track athletes Emma Wilson, Hannah Stoffel and Erin Manchess ― alleged that university officials knew or should have known of the abuse and doping allegations.

Also named as defendants are two assistant coaches, Curtis Hines and Lauren Johnson, who's also Nicholas Johnson's wife.

"The crux of the Plaintiffs' Title IX claim comes down to who knew what and when they knew it," the judge wrote, adding that even if the assistant coaches knew of the accusations, the plaintiffs did not allege that they had the authority to do something.

Little said he intends to appeal the ruling. He also said the Title IX violation is only one of nearly two dozen allegations in the case. Those other claims involve state law, and the attorney said he plans to file a new complaint in state court.

Former IndyStar reporter David Woods and IndyStar reporter Ko Lyn Cheang contributed to this story. Contact IndyStar reporter Kristine Phillips at (317) 444-3026 or at kphillips@indystar.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Women's Title IX claims in Huntington University track case dismissed