LEWISTON, N.Y. (WKBW) — Members of the Niagara University women's swimming team are filing a Title IX discrimination lawsuit against the school.
According to the suit, two current members of the swim team, Nastasja Posso and Jamie Rolf, along with a former member known as Jane Doe-1 allege:
the manner in which the swimming and diving programs were run resulted in a hostile environment in which each of the plaintiffs was subjected to severe and pervasive sexual harassment and bullying by members of the men’s swimming team.
In addition, the women's swim team did not have its own coach, meaning the female and male swimmers attended activities as, "one team" and say Coach Ben Nigro was aware of some of the, "offensive actions" conducted by the men's swim team.
Upon reuqest for a statement from Niagara University, a spokesperson tells 7 Eyewitness News:
We are aware of a lawsuit that was recently filed in federal court.
Niagara University's foremost priority is the well-being of every member of our campus community. We proceed with due diligence to examine any issue that is brought forward that may compromise our culture, while ensuring that we do not rush to judgment or reach conclusions before the completion of the process. Where it is necessary and appropriate, the university engages independent investigators.
To ensure the integrity of the process, and out of respect for every individual involved, we do not comment on ongoing matters.
This is a developing story.
