NC State Admins Fight Lawsuit in Athlete Abuse Case

0:00Former North Carolina State University administrators are pushing to get dropped from a lawsuit filed by 18 former male scholarship athletes. They claim the school that head athletic trainer Robert Murphy sexually harassed and abused players through inappropriate massages and treatments from two. 2012 until he quit in June 2022. The suit named 7x officials, including past athletics directors Debbie Yao and Eugene Corrigan. Murphy faced complaints from coaches and others, but the lawsuit says leaders ignored red flags even promoting him in 2018. 12 athletes also reported sketchy drug tests tied to the abuse. No criminal charges yet, though the district attorney is investigating and plans a decision soon. Murphy denies everything through his lawyer. In Wednesday's court hearing, attorneys for the admins stressed that sexual misconduct is unacceptable but argued procedural flaws. They say negligence claims belong in the industrial commission, not Wake County Superior Court, where juries decide and no damage caps apply.

1:06The athletes want their day in front of a jury after filing a parallel case there. Admins also hit the three-year statute of limitations, noting the latest suit came in September 2025, past August's deadline. Plaintiff's counter with claims of university cover-up, tolling the clock. One key defendant, ex-chancellor Randy Woodson, already got dismissed. The judge wrapped the two-hour session by asking for more briefs before ruling. With federal cases refiled here and a criminal probe hanging, this Wolfpack scandal keeps unfolding for these athletes seeking accountability. Stay informed with Derm News Today. AI-powered updates. I'm Cory, with the story.