Ohio High School Faces Federal Lawsuit Over Hazing, Sexual Assault, and Title IX Violations
St. Columba Catholic Cathedral in Youngstown, Ohio, part of the Diocese of Youngstown; via Wikipedia.
An Ohio high school and the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown are named in a federal civil rights lawsuit following disturbing allegations of hazing and sexual assault involving a freshman football player during a nine-day summer camp, news outlets reported. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, names Ursuline High School in Youngstown, multiple school officials and coaches, the Catholic Diocese, and several unnamed players and parents as defendants.
The complaint alleges that the boy was "violently assaulted" on the first night of the camp, which took place across Florida, Tennessee, and Alabama. One teammate allegedly sexually assaulted the plaintiff while another recorded the incident and uploaded it to the team’s group Snapchat.
The complaint alleges that the abuse did not end there. Days later, the boy was allegedly restrained by several players and stripped naked in another incident that was also filmed and distributed via Snapchat. Additional instances of hazing and bullying were allegedly carried out against the plaintiff and other team members.
Despite the severity of the allegations, the complaint claims school officials failed to take appropriate action. According to the lawsuit, the boy’s mother first reported the assault to an assistant coach on June 16 during the camp. The coach allegedly dismissed her concerns, saying it was “just boys being boys.” When the family returned home and met with school officials, the lawsuit states that administrators showed “no regret, remorse, or compassion.”
The lawsuit further accuses the school of failing to conduct a proper investigation or discipline those involved, despite being presented with evidence. It also claims the plaintiff’s daughter faced intimidation and that the family experienced retaliation after coming forward.
In addition to the hazing and sexual assaults, the suit alleges violations of Title IX and other offenses including false imprisonment, stalking, child pornography, and distribution of lewd and obscene materials.
In response to media inquiries, a spokesperson for Ursuline High School stated that a police investigation was ongoing and that both the school and Diocese have cooperated fully with law enforcement. "The safety and well-being of our students is Ursuline High School's top priority," the statement read.
According to the spokesperson, once the misconduct was formally reported, Ursuline administrators promptly launched an internal investigation and notified Diocesan officials and local authorities. While some disciplinary action was reportedly taken against students "most directly involved," others left the school before discipline could be imposed.
As a result of the allegations, the school has increased chaperone oversight and implemented mandatory training reviews. The football team’s upcoming game was canceled following the public announcement of the lawsuit.
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