A lawsuit filed in Polk County court by a former Iowa State women’s basketball player portrayed the program as one with pervasive racial tension between its coaching staff and its players.
Nikki Moody, who became ISU’s all-team career assists leader during her playing career between 2011-15, is suing coach Bill Fennelly, Iowa State University and the state of Iowa, claiming she was “constantly demeaned, berated, harassed, and discriminated against.”
The lawsuit also alleges instances of discrimination directed at players beyond just Moody during her tenure at ISU.
Perhaps the most direct allegation is a quote attributed to an unnamed ISU assistant coach, who is purported to have said, “This is the first and last time we will have this many black people on the team,” during the 2014-15 season.