(The Center Square) – Appeal is expected in a case involving 31 former athletes at N.C. State accusing a director of sports medicine of sexual abuse.
Within Wake County Superior Court Judge Bryan Collins’ dismissal were rulings the statute of limitations had expired in claims as early as 2013, and that the workplace matters for the public university should be settled at the North Carolina Industrial Commission rather than a civil court.
Kerry Sutton, counsel for players in the original case, indicated an appeal would be forthcoming. In published reports, he said the action was on questions of legal procedure only; and, he said additional men have come forward and will be added
Plaintiffs included two by name and 29 others known as John Doe in the filing at Wake County Superior Court. Defendants in addition to Robert Murphy Jr., the subject of the accusations between 2010 and 2024, include Chancellor Randy Woodson, Athletics Director Boo Corrigan and former Athletics Director Debbie Yow.
Murphy was with the Wolfpack from January 2012 to June 2022. Five other current or former administrators were named among the defendants in addition to Woodson, Yow and Corrigan.
The university statement released Tuesday evening said, “N.C. State does not condone sexual misconduct of any kind. The health and safety of our students and student-athletes is paramount to the university and our athletic programs.
“We agree with the court’s analysis and the decision that the law supports dismissal of the plaintiffs’ claims in this case. We recognize the immense courage it takes for someone to come forward, and our hearts go out to any student or student-athlete who has been impacted by distressing experiences.”
N.C. State fields 22 varsity programs in NCAA Division I for more than 550 athletes. The university’s enrollment of more than 39,000 is largest of the 16 four-year universities in the UNC System.
