Contending the university allowed a “cultural of sexual violence” to be created, plaintiff Elizabeth Doe filed suit against Baylor on Jan. 27 in the U.S. District Court for Western Texas.
Doe, who graduated in 2014, says her complaint arises from a brutal gang rape at the hands of Tre’Von Armstead and Shamycheal Chatman, which occurred during a time in Baylor football “that has become known as the most violent and atrocious in school history.”
Prior to the arrival of coach Charles Arthur “Art” Briles in 2008, Baylor football was comparatively one of the worst teams in the Big 12. Upon hiring, Briles declared, “What we have to do is win football games. That’s our mission.”
“At the expense of many young women on campus, BAYLOR football soon did just that,” the suit states. “While Briles’ players were being hyped as celebrities on campus and around Waco, behind the scenes the players engaged in more than just sports.
“From 2009-2015, BAYLOR football players were responsible for numerous crimes involving violent physical assault, armed robbery, burglary, drugs, guns, and, notably, the most widespread culture of sexual violence and abuse of women ever reported in a collegiate athletic program.”
Doe alleges Baylor football under Briles had run wild, and the university had done nothing to stop it. And at the heart of Baylor’s success were the questionable recruiting efforts of Briles and his staff.
“In order to ensure that a last place team could recruit the players needed to win football games, recruiting efforts used sex to sell the program,” the suit states.
“Central to their recruiting efforts, BAYLOR football coaching staff implemented a ‘Show em a good time’ policy which permitted members of the BAYLOR football team to engage in unrestricted behavior with no consequences…”
Doe is accusing the university of gross negligence, which entitles her to exemplary damages.
She is represented by the Law Office of William Johnston in Waco.
Case No. 6:17-cv-00027-RP