Former N.C. State Athletes Sue Over Alleged Abuse by Trainer

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Fourteen former male athletes from North Carolina State University have filed a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse and harassment by the school’s former director of sports medicine, Robert Murphy Jr. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Wake County Superior Court, expands on previous claims made over three years.

According to the lawsuit, Murphy, who worked at N.C. State from 2012 to 2022, engaged in years of misconduct. Allegations include inappropriate touching during massages and invasive observation practices during drug testing. Twelve plaintiffs remain anonymous as “John Doe,” while two former men’s soccer players are named, including Benjamin Locke, who originally filed a complaint in August 2022.

The lawsuit claims that Murphy’s conduct was known to senior athletic officials, including former athletic director Debbie Yow, but no substantial action was taken against him. The athletes reportedly had concerns about Murphy’s behavior, which they felt was widely recognized, leading many to joke about it and refuse his treatment.

Kerry Sutton, the attorney representing the athletes, stated that the lawsuit aims to encourage others who faced similar abuse to come forward. “A culture of fear in the NCSU athletics department led to this tragic set of circumstances,” Sutton said. “Murphy took advantage of those fears to get away with abusing what we believe may turn out to be hundreds of former Wolfpack athletes.”

In response, attorney Seth Blum, representing Murphy, insists that he has been falsely accused and claims that there has been no credible evidence to support the allegations. “Put simply, Robert Murphy did not do this,” Blum said.

Defendants named in the lawsuit include former officials Yow, current athletic director Boo Corrigan, and former chancellor Randy Woodson. An N.C. State spokesperson declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.

The lawsuit additionally highlights previous concerns raised by former men’s soccer coach Kelly Findley regarding Murphy’s behavior, suggesting that oversight was inadequate despite multiple warnings.

Murphy was placed on administrative leave in January 2022 during a Title IX investigation connected to Locke, ultimately leading to his departure from N.C. State. Following this investigation, the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity indicated that a violation would have been substantiated if Murphy had remained employed.