Six former women’s basketball players from the University of Pittsburgh are suing the school and its coach, Tory Verdi.
The six individual civil suits were filed in the U.S. District Court for Western Pennsylvania on Friday, Feb. 6. Each player is represented by the same attorney, Keenan Holmes. Each suit alleges Title IX violations and that Verdi inflicted ’emotional, psychological, and physical abuse’ against the players and that he created a “hostile, discriminatory, and retaliatory environment.’
Much of the allegations in the six lawsuits — which USA TODAY Sports obtained copies of — read similarly and cite the same instances to back up their allegations that Verdi “weaponized his authority to manipulate, demean, and emotionally destabilize players through targeted mistreatment, verbal abuse, gaslighting, and retaliatory conduct.”
“Verdi used his position of authority to engage in emotionally abusive conduct, retaliation, and psychological manipulation that transcended poor coaching and entered into constitutional violations,” one lawsuits reads. “The program was defined by fear and emotional volatility as players were routinely demeaned, psychologically isolated, and pressured to perform under abusive conditions.”
Spokespersons for Pitt’s athletic department did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday night.
The lawsuits were filed by Favor Ayodele, Raeven Boswell, Makayla Elmore, Brooklynn Miles, Isabella Perkins and Jasmine Timmerson. Their suits also claim that Pitt knew about the players’ complaints about Verdi, but took no action.
Concerns, according to the lawsuits, were raised with Senior Woman Administrator Jennifer Tuscano, former athletic director Heather Lyke, and Laurel Gift — Pitt’s Assistant Vice Chancellor for Compliance, Investigations, and Ethics. Lyke is now the Special Advisor to the Chancellor and Athletic Director at Syracuse.
Often the first specific incident cited in the lawsuits is one that allegedly occurred after a practice during the 2023-24 season when Verdi told the team, “Every night I lay in bed I want to kill myself because of you.” The former players say this “caused fear, emotional distress, and confusion among players.”
Four of the six lawsuits cite another incident where, before playing a game against Clemson, Verdi allegedly “directed xenophobic and culturally insensitive remarks” toward a foreign-born player, telling her to “go back home because ICE is coming.” One lawsuit claims that Verdi told foreign-born players, “We speak English here,” when they would use their native languages or accents.
In her lawsuit, Perkins alleges that Verdi once told her during the summer of 2024 in a private meeting, “I don’t like you as a player, but I’d let my son date you.”
Perkins also says that she was “routinely denied adequate medical care” and forced to play while injured. Perkins said she confided in the team doctor about the “hostile and abusive environment perpetuated by Coach Verdi.” That disclosure was reported to Verdi, Perkins alleges, and it was met with retaliation. Perkins adds that her request for a medical redshirt was denied because Pitt mishandled her submission to the ACC.
Two lawsuits make the allegation that Verdi berated the team after the death of one player’s father, allegedly telling them, “I knew you guys were bad basketball players, but I didn’t know you were bad people too.”
Four of the six players also claim that Verdi mocked one player’s appearance and weight, telling her “you look pregnant,” while she was recovering from injury. The six players also claim that Verdi “intentionally created and exploited racial division” and that “players of color were subjected to harsher discipline, less patience, and fewer opportunities than similarly situated white teammates.”
One former player, Elmore, says she “made a good-faith report” to Pitt’s compliance office regarding repeated NCAA practice-hour violations by Verdi. Elmore claims that the compliance office disclosed her identity to Verdi and nothing was done.
Another former player, Ayodele, says that when she was injured, Verdi didn’t speak to her for nearly six months and ignored “her medical and emotional needs and isolating her from team support.”
Some of the former players say they have had to seek mental health treatment and therapy after playing for Verdi. The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages and a declaration that Pitt violated Title IX.
Verdi is in his third season coaching the Panthers, who currently have an overall record of 8-17, a mark that includes a loss to Division III Scranton. He has a record of 29-60 while leading Pitt. The Panthers have not posted a winning record in ACC play since the 2014-15 season, which is also the last time they made the NCAA tournament.
Previously, Verdi was the head coach at UMass and Eastern Michigan, where he won a combined 200 games. Verdi signed a six-year contract with Pitt when he was hired in 2023.
Riding an eight-game losing streak, Pitt is scheduled to play again on Thursday night at home against Syracuse.
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