A former member of the Colgate University women’s lacrosse team, Amelia Cunningham, has filed a lawsuit against the university, alleging that the team’s coach, Kathy Taylor, created a toxic environment that led to physical and emotional harm to players. Cunningham claims that Taylor belittled players, forced them to play through injuries, and pushed some to attempt suicide. During Taylor’s five-year tenure, at least 20 players left the team, and three were believed to have attempted suicide.
Cunningham, who received a 50% athletic scholarship to attend Colgate, alleged that she was forced to play through numerous injuries and illnesses, including a wrist injury that was not properly treated and has left her with chronic pain and numbness. She also claimed that Taylor discouraged her from getting surgery, which ultimately led to the injury becoming too significant to fully repair. Cunningham’s experiences on the team led to her developing major depressive disorder and trauma- and stressor-related disorder, and she attempted suicide in 2022.
The lawsuit alleges that Colgate University knew about the abusive behavior of Coach Taylor but failed to take adequate action to protect its students. Cunningham’s attorney, Carolin Guentert, stated that the university had a responsibility to its students and that the experience has had a significant impact on Cunningham’s life. The lawsuit claims that Colgate conducted an inadequate investigation into the allegations and cleared Taylor of any wrongdoing, despite the numerous complaints from players and parents.
Coach Taylor resigned in 2024, but the university has declined to comment on the litigation. Cunningham’s lawsuit seeks damages for the harm she suffered during her time on the team, including the loss of her dream of becoming an orthopedic surgeon due to her injuries. The case highlights the importance of universities taking allegations of abuse and misconduct seriously and taking prompt action to protect their students. Cunningham’s experience is a disturbing example of the consequences of ignoring warnings and failing to prioritize the well-being of student-athletes.