Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Six former players from the University of Pittsburgh women’s basketball program have filed federal lawsuits against the school and head coach Tory Verdi, alleging Title IX violations and a pattern of abusive behavior that they say created a hostile and discriminatory team environment.
The six athletes — Favor Ayodele, Raeven Boswell, Makayla Elmore, Brooklynn Miles, Isabella Perkins, and Jasmine Timmerson — each filed individual civil complaints Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The lawsuits, obtained and reviewed by USA Today Sports, are being handled by attorney Keenan Holmes and present largely consistent allegations across all filings.
According to the complaints, the former players accuse Pitt of failing to uphold federal Title IX protections and allege that Verdi engaged in conduct they describe as “emotional, psychological, and physical abuse.” The lawsuits claim the program fostered a “hostile, discriminatory, and retaliatory environment” that went far beyond aggressive coaching and crossed into rights violations.
One lawsuit alleges Verdi misused his authority through emotional manipulation and retaliation, stating that the team culture was defined by fear and instability. The filings describe players being routinely demeaned, isolated from teammates, and pressured to perform in an atmosphere marked by emotional volatility.
The lawsuits detail several specific incidents from the 2023–24 season, Verdi’s first year coaching the Panthers. Among the most serious allegations is a claim that following a practice, Verdi told players their performance made him want to kill himself. Another allegation states that before a game against Clemson, Verdi directed xenophobic remarks at a foreign-born player, including a statement implying immigration enforcement would target her.
Medical treatment issues also feature prominently in the complaints. Perkins alleges she was repeatedly denied appropriate medical care and forced to play while injured, and that raising concerns led to retaliation from Verdi. Ayodele similarly claims that after sustaining an injury, Verdi ignored her medical and emotional needs and isolated her from team support.
Pitt head coach Tory Verdi / William Howard-Imagn Images
Other allegations include mocking a player’s weight and appearance, telling her she looked pregnant, and intentionally fostering racial divisions within the team. The lawsuits assert that players of color were disciplined more harshly than their white teammates, contributing to a discriminatory environment.
Collectively, the former players are seeking financial damages and formal acknowledgment that the university failed to meet its obligations under Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.
The University of Pittsburgh responded to the lawsuits in a statement to USA Today Sports, saying it is aware of the allegations but strongly disputes them. The school described the claims as “without merit” and said it intends to vigorously defend itself.
Verdi joined Pitt in 2023 after a seven-year tenure at the University of Massachusetts, where he successfully rebuilt the program and led it to a conference championship. That success has not carried over to Pittsburgh. The Panthers went 8–24 in his first season, improved modestly to 13–19 in his second, and currently sit at 8–17 overall with a 1–11 record in Atlantic Coast Conference play, riding an eight-game losing streak.
As the legal cases move forward, the allegations place renewed scrutiny on Pitt’s athletic department and its handling of athlete welfare. The Panthers are scheduled to host Syracuse on Thursday, with the lawsuits casting a shadow over the remainder of the season.
