Alexis Meeks-Rydell is the assistant coach of the Purdue-Fort Wayne women’s volleyball team. In a lawsuit, Meeks-Rydell has been accused of sexually harassing and abusing players for the University of South Alabama team.
> Read the lawsuit against Alexis Meeks-Rydell
Alexis Meeks-Rydell Lawsuit Details
Meeks-Rydell Was Hired At Fort Wayne In June 2021. “Meeks-Rydell, a Leo native, spent two seasons at South Alabama before joining the staff at Purdue Fort Wayne in June. She played collegiately at IUPUI.” [WANE]
Lawyers: Meeks-Rydell Created “Climate of Fear.” “The lawsuit alleges Meeks-Rydell created a climate of fear and intimidation among the volleyball team. She regularly overtrained players and coerced them to practice or play while injured, in violation of NCAA bylaws. She would often verbally abuse injured players, ridiculing and accusing them of faking injuries and forcing them to play through serious medical conditions, including concussions and asthma attacks, as well as ankle and knee injuries.” [Statement from Player’s Lawyers]
South Alabama Players Accuse Meeks-Rydell of Abuse. “While at South Alabama, two former players under Meeks-Rydell allege they were routinely subjected to blatant sexual harassment and sexual, physical, and emotional assault by Meeks-Rydell, says the lawsuit filed Tuesday in Alabama.” [Indy Star]
Purdue-Fort Wayne: Meeks-Rydell On Leave. “Upon learning of the lawsuit and allegations against Alexis Meeks-Rydell during her time at the University of South Alabama, she was immediately placed on administrative leave pending university review of the matter.” [Kelley Hartley Hutton Statement]
Lawsuit Alleges “Pattern Of Blatant Sexual Harassment.” [Lawsuit]
Lawsuit: Meeks-Rydell Pinched Players Buttocks. “Pinching each player’s buttocks as they exited the team bus and forcing them to engage in ‘floor hugs’ in which team members laid on the ground while Meeks-Rydell laid on top of them” [Lawsuit]
Coaches Rob Chilcoat and Patricia Gandolfo Also Sued. “This behavior continued, unchecked, throughout 2019 and 2020 with the direct knowledge of Erdmann, Chilcoat, Gandolfo, and other university officials, all of whom either could have or should have reported or stopped the abuse, but did neither” [Lawsuit]
One of the first political bloggers in the world, Oliver Willis has operated OliverWillis.com since 2000. Contributor at Media Matters for America and The American Independent. Follow on Twitter at @owillis. Full bio.
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