Ex-Cyclones star Nikki Moody suing Iowa State for racial discrimination
Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.
Former Iowa State Cyclones guard Nikki Moody is suing the school, coach Bill Fennelly and the state of Iowa for racial discrimination.
The Associated Press first reported the details of the lawsuit.
Moody accuses Fennelly of creating a “hostile education environment through racial harassment,” claiming the coach constantly demeaned, berated and harassed her during her time at the school, Moody graduated in 2015 after starting for the Cyclones for four years.
• Loyola coach Sheryl Swoopes under internal investigation
The lawsuit accuses Fennelly of treating white players differently than black ones, and claims Fennelly called Moody a “thug” multiple times. Moody claims she complained of the alleged abuse to assistant coaches and an athletics administrator, but was not given a response.
Fennelly is under contract with Iowa State through 2019. A school spokesman told the AP the university had not seen the lawsuit and has no comment on the allegations.
The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages.
