“New York’s Christian College,” Nyack College, Sued For Former Softball Coach’s Sexual Assault And Sexual Harassment
October 2, 2015
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A. Doe v. Kurt Ludwigsen, in his individual capacity; Kirsten Lambertson, in her individual capacity; Michael G. Scales, individually and as President of Nyack College; David C. Jennings, individually and as Executive Vice President of Nyack College; Keith Davie, individually and as Athletic Director for Nyack College; Amanda Aikens, individually and as Assistant Athletic Director for Nyack College; and Nyack College
In the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (White Plains, NY)
E. Doe v. Kurt Ludwigsen, in his individual capacity; Kirsten Lambertson, in her individual capacity; Michael G. Scales, individually and as President of Nyack College; David C. Jennings, individually and as Executive Vice President of Nyack College; Keith Davie, individually and as Athletic Director for Nyack College; Amanda Aikens, individually and as Assistant Athletic Director for Nyack College; and Nyack College
In the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (White Plains, NY)
K. Doe v. Kurt Ludwigsen, in his individual capacity; Kirsten Lambertson, in her individual capacity; Michael G. Scales, individually and as President of Nyack College; David C. Jennings, individually and as Executive Vice President of Nyack College; Keith Davie, individually and as Athletic Director for Nyack College; Amanda Aikens, individually and as Assistant Athletic Director for Nyack College; and Nyack College
In the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (White Plains, NY)
“NEW YORK’S CHRISTIAN COLLEGE,” NYACK COLLEGE, SUED FOR FORMER SOFTBALL COACH’S SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT
On October 2, 2015, three female student athletes on the Nyack College women’s softball team filed complaints against Nyack College (Nyack, N.Y.) for claims stemming from multiple instances of sexual assault and sexual harassment committed by the college’s former Head Softball Coach, Kurt Ludwigsen. Earlier this year, the Rockland County District Attorney charged Ludwigsen with seven counts of felony coercion in the first degree, 94 counts of forcible touching, 94 counts of sexual assault in the third degree and two counts of harassment in the second degree.
The complaints allege that Ludwigsen’s outrageous conduct included routinely licking his players’ ears, kissing their lips and faces, slapping their buttocks, grabbing their breasts, directing them to sit on his lap, lying on top of them, commenting about their physical attributes, having sexually explicit conversations with them, inviting a pornographic actress known as Allie Haze to practice and directing students to life counseling sessions with her, directing an underage drinking outing where his players were instructed to dress in cocktail dresses and dance with male strangers and offering to assist players to attain employment in the adult entertainment industry.
The complaints further allege that Nyack College hired and retained Ludwigsen in 2014 notwithstanding publicly available information which indicated that (a) he had left a coaching position with the premier women’s softball program at the University of Arizona; (b) subsequently, he took a non-paying coaching position with an elite girls’ softball team, ages 15 to 18, in California, known as the NorCal Assault; (c) while coaching the NorCal Assault, he was the subject of a criminal investigation for sexual assault and sexual harassment against several of his young female players; and (d) while coaching the NorCal Assault, under the alias “Kurt Vogner,” he also founded and promoted a paid telephone service that linked pornography actresses (including Bree Olson, with whom he was photographed) to their “fans”. Nyack College markets itself as, “New York’s Christian College,” even though the complaints allege that Ludwigsen admitted that he was certainly not a “typical Christian coach.”
The plaintiffs allege that Ludwigsen engaged in a pattern and practice of outlandish sexual harassment and sexual assault while serving as Head Coach of the Nyack College women’s softball team during the 2014-2015 academic year. The plaintiffs further allege that Nyack College, through its administration and athletic department, discriminated against the plaintiffs and members of the softball team on the basis of their gender, in violation of Title IX, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 et seq. (“Title IX”), and retaliated against the plaintiffs and members of the softball team, in violation of Title IX, when they complained about Ludwigsen’s outrageous conduct in connection with his female student athletes.
In addition to claims for sexual discrimination arising Title IX, the complaints also include claims of battery, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligent hiring, negligent supervision and negligent retention.
The complaints also name Ludwigsen as a defendant, as well as Nyack College President Michael G. Scales, Nyack College Vice President David C. Jennings, Nyack College Athletic Director Keith Davie, Nyack College Assistant Athletic Director Amanda Aikens and former Nyack College Head Softball Coach Kirsten Lambertson, who served as Assistant Softball Coach during Ludwigsen’s tenure as Head Softball Coach.
The plaintiffs are represented by the Law Office of Todd J. Krouner (Chappaqua, N.Y.). Mr. Krouner has experience representing victims of sexual harassment, sexual assault and discrimination in schools and workplaces throughout the New York City metropolitan area.
Copies of the complaints are available here. For further information, please contact the Law Office of Todd J. Krouner at (914) 238-5800.