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Former Kentucky Swimmers File Lawsuit Against School, Coach
Two former Kentucky swimmers have brought a lawsuit against the university, its athletic director, and former swim coach Lars Jorgensen. The lawsuit alleges that Jorgensen sexually assaulted them, with one of the swimmers claiming she was raped by the coach. Additionally, the suit accuses the university of ignoring warnings regarding Jorgensen’s inappropriate behavior towards women.
Details of the Allegations
The lawsuit states that one of the swimmers, Briggs Alexander, was forcibly raped by Jorgensen. Alexander, a graduate student at the time of the incident, later became an assistant coach for the team. Another former swimmer, who remains anonymous, alleges that Jorgensen groped, harassed, and attempted to have sex with her while she was also working as an assistant coach. A third unnamed woman, who is not a plaintiff in the case, claims that Jorgensen forcibly raped her in 2013 during his first year as the team’s head coach.
Jorgensen, however, has denied all the allegations made against him, stating that they are untrue.
University’s Response
In response to the lawsuit, university spokesperson Jay Blanton emphasized that the school takes allegations of misconduct seriously. However, the university declined to comment on specific personnel matters related to the case.
Jorgensen resigned as Kentucky’s swim coach in June, but the reasons behind his departure were not disclosed by the university at the time of his resignation.
Additional Allegations and Warnings
The lawsuit also mentions that multiple coaches at Kentucky witnessed Jorgensen’s inappropriate behavior towards swimmers and staff members over the course of his ten-year tenure with the program. One coach reportedly reported Jorgensen’s actions to the university’s Title IX office in 2015 or 2016.
Furthermore, the lawsuit reveals that a former coach who had worked with Jorgensen previously warned the university about the coach’s alleged past misconduct. Despite receiving this warning, the university did not take further action.
Investigations and Consequences
After the lawsuit was filed, one of the swimmers reported the assault to a university Title IX officer in June 2023. However, both the swimmer and another woman who reported an assault in 2013 claim that they were discouraged from filing an official report against Jorgensen by the Title IX office.
In November, the U.S. Center for SafeSport, which handles complaints of sexual abuse in Olympic sports, issued a temporary ban against Jorgensen that included restrictions on his coaching activities.
Overall, the lawsuit sheds light on a troubling situation at the University of Kentucky and raises questions about the handling of sexual assault allegations within the athletics department.
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