Current and former Rutgers players hire attorneys in Mike Rice scandal

Former Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice was accused of abusing and berating players. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Three students hired attorneys in connection with the scandal surrounding the bullying and berating of Rutgers basketball players by former coach Mike Rice, according to letters released by the university via NJ.com.

Rutgers is already being sued by a former basketball player in the wake of Rice's firing after videos revealed by ESPN's Outside the Lines showed him shouting curses and gay slurs, berating players and throwing basketballs at his team during practices.

The letters were released after an open records request by the Star-Ledger.

From NJ.com:

The university released letters from attorneys for Jerome Seagears, who is still on the Scarlet Knights roster, along with former teammates Robert Lumpkins and Dane Miller, who either filed notices of claim in connection with their treatment at the hands of Rice, or letters of representation asking Rutgers to preserve all evidence related to the students.

MIKE RICE: 'I was an idiot, but I never abused anybody'

Former Rutgers forward Derrick Randall accused Rice of assault and battery and sued the university and its athletic staff of negligence, emotional distress and discrimination.