Former ISU basketball player Nikki Moody sues Bill Fennelly, school

AMES — Former Iowa State women's basketball player Nikki Moody has sued coach Bill Fennelly, the university and state of Iowa for racial discrimination and retaliation, the Associated Press reported Monday.

Moody, a senior in 2014-15 and a four-year starter for the Cyclones, said she was called a 'thug' and labeled as a selfish player according to the report.

Moody, who is black, filed a lawsuit in the state district court saying Fennelly, who has coached at Iowa State since 1995, constantly demeaned, berated, harassed and discriminated against her. She said that discrimination led to a 'hostile education environment through racial harassment.'

In a statement released later Monday, Iowa State said it "takes very seriously complaints of discrimination and harassment" and "takes issue with the allegations and looks forward to responding in full to the lawsuit as the legal process proceeds."

As a senior, Moody averaged 14.5 points and 6.8 assists per game and is the all-time assists leader in program history, and said her emotional distress fell on deaf ears of assistant coaches and a senior athletics administrator.

Fennelly allegedly told Moody, according to the AP report, she had 'been trying to ruin my life, but I will get the last laugh. I can't wait to tell coaches that call me all the negative things I know about you.'

According to ISU's statement, Moody made complaints about a year ago to the Iowa State athletics department, which referred her to the University's Office of Equal Opportunity. Equal Opportunity then "conducted a full investigation and was unable to substantiate the complaints of racial discrimination."

Iowa State University releases a statement regarding the Nikki Moody lawsuit: April 18, 2016

Iowa State University releases a statement regarding the Nikki Moody lawsuit: pic.twitter.com/8Ktm4S4lKj

— Dylan Montz (@dylanmontz)

Moody was reprimanded twice by Fennelly during her senior season, including missing the first two exhibition games when she was suspended for a violation of team rules stemming from her attitude. She also was held out of the starting lineup later in the season because of practice issues.

The report also says Moody claims Fennelly treated white players differently than black players. Moody also said Fennelly told the freshman class in 2014-15 that the seniors, Moody and two other black players, were 'bad influences' and to stay away from them.

Fennelly is 447-223 in 21 years in Ames and has a contract with the school through 2019, which was decided after he signed a 12-year deal in 2007 worth $10.6 million. Iowa State was 13-17 last season and missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2006.

Some current and former players have supported Fennelly on Twitter. 

Walked into coaches office, gave him a hug, & told him I got his back just like he's always had mine April 18, 2016

Walked into coaches office, gave him a hug, & told him I got his back just like he's always had mine #standByCoach pic.twitter.com/3ghTR6CVuL

— K_Blaskowsky15 (@K_Blaskowsky15)

Wouldn't be the person I am today w/o April 18, 2016

Wouldn't be the person I am today w/o @ISUCoachFen Nobody pushes you to be a better person ON AND OFF the court more than him! #standByCoach

— Chelsea Poppens (@ckpops)

Accountability, Responsibility, Respect, Character. Taught me that and so much more! April 18, 2016

Accountability, Responsibility, Respect, Character. Taught me that and so much more! @ISUCoachFen #StandbyCoach pic.twitter.com/A5mUeCbF0I

— Lyndsey Fennelly (@lyndshoops)

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