A former student-athlete at Colgate University in Upstate New York has filed a lawsuit against the school, alleging that it failed to protect players from an abusive coach. Amelia Cunningham, 23, claims that women’s lacrosse coach Kathy Taylor was allowed to continue coaching despite warnings from players and parents about her behavior. Taylor allegedly bullied players, made fun of their weight, dismissed mental health concerns, and forced them to play through injuries. Cunningham, who was a standout goalkeeper, claims that she was discouraged from getting surgery for a wrist injury and was pushed to play through pain, resulting in permanent damage that ruined her dream of becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
Cunningham’s lawsuit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, alleges that Colgate University knew about Taylor’s behavior but failed to take action. At least 20 players left the team during Taylor’s five-year tenure, and six players had previously alleged abuse in a letter to the university president in 2022. Despite this, the school decided to keep Taylor on staff after conducting its own investigation. Cunningham is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for her physical injuries and emotional distress.
Taylor’s coaching career spans over two decades, with stints at Cornell University, Fayetteville-Manlius High School, SUNY Cortland, and Le Moyne College, where she won a national championship in 2018. She joined Colgate in 2019 but resigned in 2023 after a 3-14 season. Cunningham’s lawsuit is believed to be the first against Colgate over Taylor’s alleged conduct. The university’s decision to keep Taylor on staff despite warnings about her behavior has raised questions about its commitment to protecting student-athletes.
Cunningham’s experience at Colgate was marked by a series of injuries, including a wrist injury that required surgery and a hip injury that she was pushed to play through. She has had a total of five surgeries and claims that the university eventually pushed her off the lacrosse team and took away her scholarship. Despite this, she managed to graduate in December 2024. Cunningham’s lawsuit highlights the need for universities to take allegations of coach abuse seriously and to prioritize the well-being of student-athletes.