Kentucky Women’s Swim Team Faces Allegations of Sexual Abuse and Institutional Negligence
Introduction:
Former Kentucky women’s swim team captain, Briggs Alexander, has come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against former coach Lars Jorgensen. Alexander claims that she was discouraged from reporting the abuse by Kentucky’s Title IX office, which she believed she could trust. Along with another former team member, Alexander has filed a lawsuit against Jorgensen, Kentucky, UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart, and former UK swim coach Gary Conelly. The lawsuit alleges that Kentucky’s complicity and indifference allowed Jorgensen to create a sexually hostile environment within the swim program.
Kentucky’s Knowledge of Jorgensen’s Previous Misconduct:
During Jorgensen’s time as an associate head coach and eventually the head coach, Kentucky received reports of him being in a relationship with a swimmer he previously coached at the University of Toledo. In 2012, Mark Howard, a former Toledo assistant swimming coach, contacted Kentucky to express his concerns about Jorgensen coaching women again. Howard had been informed by a swimmer that she had been in a sexual relationship with Jorgensen while he was her coach at Toledo. Additionally, a former Toledo softball coach made similar allegations against Jorgensen in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed in 2014.
Failure to Act on Allegations:
In 2019, a San Jose State official alerted Kentucky about allegations of Jorgensen being in a relationship with one of his swimmers at a previous coaching job and sexually assaulting a woman on the swim staff at Kentucky. However, the initial report compiled by the Title IX office marked the matter as “not urgent.” After Jorgensen denied wrongdoing and the alleged victim declined to speak to a school official, the case was closed within a week. This lack of urgency and thorough investigation raises concerns about Kentucky’s handling of sexual assault allegations.
Alexander’s Personal Experience:
Briggs Alexander reveals that Jorgensen subjected her to various forms of abuse, including making sexual comments, sending sexually explicit videos and photos, and eventually raping her. She describes how Jorgensen groomed her from a young age, taking advantage of her Olympic aspirations and manipulating her into believing he was acting in her best interest. Alexander reported the abuse to the Title IX office but did not hear back for many months. Frustrated by the lack of support, she decided to speak out publicly.
Institutional Betrayal:
Alexander expresses her sadness, anger, and sense of betrayal by the school. Despite her dedication and leadership as a team member, she feels that she has been let down by Kentucky’s lack of response and support. The school has not yet released an official response to The Athletic’s story, and Jorgensen denies all allegations against him.
Conclusion:
The allegations of sexual abuse within the Kentucky women’s swim team and the university’s alleged negligence in handling these reports are deeply concerning. The experiences shared by Briggs Alexander highlight the importance of creating a safe environment for athletes and the need for institutions to take all allegations seriously. It is crucial for universities to prioritize the safety and well-being of their students and thoroughly investigate any claims of misconduct or abuse.