Ron Barnett

rbarnett@greenvillenews.com

A former member of the Clemson University women's soccer team has filed a lawsuit alleging that she was kidnapped, forced into the trunk of a car, made to perform "humiliating and demeaning acts" and suffered a serious head injury after running into a brick wall — all as part of a hazing ritual.

The university isn't named as a defendant, and university officials said in a statement, "Clemson University strongly disagrees with the characterization of events in this lawsuit, and looks forward to vigorously defending this case on its facts, rather than these allegations. The university will not comment further on this pending litigation."

Chuck Turner, who represents three coaches named in the suit, said, "We strongly deny the allegations of the plaintiffs complaint and the way they're characterized."

The lawsuit, filed at the Pickens County Courthouse by Haley Ellen Hunt, names as defendants Eddie Radwanski, coach of the women's soccer team; assistant coaches Siri Mullinix and Jeff Robbins; former Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips; Associate Athletic Director Kyle Young; Marvin Carmichael, an assistant to the president of the university; 10 unnamed Clemson officials who the lawsuit alleges were aware of the team's hazing ritual; and 14 members of the team.

The university officials are sued individually and in their capacity as Clemson employees. Amy Snyder, an attorney representing Phillips, Young and Carmichael, said she wouldn't comment on the lawsuit now, other than to say, "We're looking forward to everything coming out as the case progresses."

The suit claims that Hunt "suffered severe and permanent personal injuries including a traumatic brain injury."

It alleges that the rituals have been a part of the team's tradition since the early 1900s and "included blindfolding the freshmen players at night, forcing them into the rear compartments of automobiles, driving the freshmen players around, forcing them to participate in embarrassing and humiliating acts, and forcing them to participate in a secret ritual using team gear on the team's home soccer field, Riggs Field."

It claims that the hazing process was "a mandatory team activity."

The lawsuit, filed on Aug. 15, alleges that on Aug. 18, 2011, the players named as defendants blindfolded Hunt, who was wearing pajamas, and other freshmen players and forced them into the rear compartments of their vehicles.

It claims they were driven around to several locations for about 30 minutes, during which they were commanded to get out of the car several times to perform "humiliating and demeaning acts."

After being taken to Riggs Field, Hunt was taken into a dark room adjacent to the field and spun around in circles "to disorient her and impair her balance," the suit alleges.

Then she was ordered to sprint down the field blindfolded, it claims.

"Unaware of where she was running because of the blindfold, Ms. Hunt veered away from the field and sprinted directly — face first — into a brick wall," the lawsuit alleges.

The 36-page lawsuit seeks punitive damages, attorney's fees and court costs, "and for such other further relief as the court deems just and proper."

It demands a jury trial.

Turner said he welcomes the case going to a jury.

"The plaintiffs complaint is not evidence, they are allegations only. Those allegations are denied," he said. "We look forward to filing our answer and presenting our evidence and our position in the case to a judge and jury, which we think will be very favorable to us."