Twelve former N.C. State athletes have filed suit against the school alleging sexual abuse.[1] The twelve male athletes are named as “John Doe” plaintiffs, in the lawsuit to protect their identities.[2] This lawsuit alleges misconduct by Robert Murphy, Jr., who was the former director of sports medicine at the school.[3] Murphy is one of nine other defendants who were individually named in the lawsuit, filed in Wake County Superior Court.[4] The other eight defendants were former school officials.[5] All of the defendants’ conduct was tied to their oversight roles at the school.[6]
The lawsuit outlines allegations of improper conduct and the school’s response to the conduct.[7] This suit expanded a case that began with a federal lawsuit from one athlete three years ago.[8] The current suit alleges that Murphy’s conduct was known to senior athletics officials and other athletes.[9] There are allegations that Murphy reached out to the former athletic director and other senior officials at the school, but “nothing substantive was done to investigate nor prevent Murphy from ‘free rein’ in working with the male athletes, despite being told to stop.”[10] It is also alleged that athletes knew about Murphy’s conduct to the extent that it was joked about and other athletes refused to be treated by Murphy. [11]
The plaintiffs in this lawsuit also filed a second lawsuit with the North Carolina Industrial Commission against the school as a public entity. [12] A spokesperson from N.C. State said that they would not comment on the pending litigation.[13]The attorney for Murphy commented that the former head athletic trainer is falsely accused, and that there has not been “one scrap of credible evidence that he assaulted anyone”.[14] There have been a total of four lawsuits against the school regarding sexual abuse allegations. This latest suit brings the total number of plaintiffs to 14.[15]
[1][1] Associated Press, Former NC State athletes file lawsuit alleging sexual abuse, ESPN (Sep. 18, 2025)
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] Id.
[5] Associated Press, Former NC State athletes accuse school of negligence in a 2nd sexual abuse lawsuit, ABC News (Sep. 19, 2025)
[6] Id.
[7] Associated Press, supra note 5.
[8] Id.
[9] Associated Press, supra note 1.
[10] Id.
[11] Id.
[12] Associated Press, supra note 5.
[13] Id.
[14] Id.
[15] Bahns, Carter, Former NC State athletes file fourth sexual abuse lawsuit against ex-trainer, alleged victim tally reaches 14, CBS Sports (Sep. 18, 2025)
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