Ex-player sues Albany coach Killings, ADVERTISEMENT, school
ALBANY, N.Y.– Albany men’s basketball coach Dwayne Killings, athletic director Mark Benson and the university are being taken legal action against by a previous walk-on regarding a pregame event a year ago that included physical contact and what happened in the aftermath.The suit, first reported by The Daily Gazette of Schenectady, was submitted today in federal court in the Northern District of New York by Luke Fizulich. It accuses Killings of assault and battery and”tortious disturbance”for allegedly hindering Fizulich from continuing his studies at the university and preventing his opportunities of transferring to another school by spreading “a negative word “about him to other schools.Killings, who is Black, allegedly assaulted Fizulich before a roadway game early last season.
Fizulich, who is white, is looking for offsetting and compensatory damages for his” psychological and psychological wellness, damages to credibility, loss of academic and athletic opportunities, future economic losses, and loss of future profession prospects. “Fizulich was a sophomore who had actually transferred from Marquette University, where Killings
had actually functioned as an assistant. He played in 22 games last season and after that got in the transfer portal.The school conducted an examination after authorities were warned of the accusation on Feb. 27.
The investigation validated there was physical contact between Killings and a member of the males’s basketball team throughout a pregame hype circle in late November. The occurrence was not reported up until the administration received a complaint.Killings was offered a five-game suspension, which he finished on Monday, the day the claim was filed.
He likewise was fined $ 25,000. The university’s investigation concluded that it was a separated event. Killings confessed his error and apologized.The suit also claims that the university at first decided to fire Killings after the examination, but local organization and civil liberties leaders pressured the school not to. It likewise claims the university showed preference to the coach”because of his race”and declares the school violated an area of the Civil liberty Act that prohibits racial discrimination by programs that get federal funds. Benson is cited for breach of contract.A university spokesman stated the school can not comment on pending lawsuits.”The University at Albany is dedicated to providing a safe and helpful environment for all students and fully and impartially investigates all accusations of misconduct versus university workers,”the statement said.” The university previously revealed the resolution of that examination.”Killings, in his 2nd season, signed a five-year contract when he was hired to be successful Will Brown after the 2020-21 season. 4 members of Killings’personnel have considering that left for other programs.