Haley Ellen Hunt says Clemson soccer hazing led to brain injury
Former Clemson soccer player Haley Ellen Hunt has filed a lawsuit against players, coaches and university administration claiming that she suffered serious injuries during a hazing incident that have had a lasting effect on her health. The incident, which occurred in August 2011, allegedly left Hunt with a brain injury.
According to the lawsuit that was obtained by Screamer, Hunt claims she was a freshman when the elder players on the team blindfolded her, spun her in circles and told her to sprint as fast as she could. She ended up sprinting directly into a brick wall.
Hunt claims her teammates knew she was headed for the wall but told her to run faster anyway. She says she crashed face-first into the wall and fell back into a table, suffering injuries to her brain, face, head and hands. One player described Hunt’s impact with the wall as the sound of “metal hitting metal.” The impact allegedly left her unconscious.
Hunt was taken to the locker room by a few teammates after suffering the injuries. While some players felt that she needed an ambulance, assistant coach Siri Mullinix supposedly called the team’s trainer to the scene instead and instructed the players not to speak of what had happened. Hunt was bandaged by the team trainer and never taken to the hospital.
Hunt suffered a concussion, lacerations to her hands and face, bruises and two black eyes that she says lasted two weeks. She now has to undergo regular neurological treatment, has impaired vision and takes medication daily. A concussion specialist told Hunt that she has “substantial decreased cognitive function” and that she should no longer play soccer.
Even worse, Hunt alleges Clemson has covered the incident up, only launching an “investigation” after her parents consistently demanded it and not punishing anyone when the investigation was complete. The school reportedly told the soccer team to go about hazing in a “better way” in the future.
What’s with women’s collegiate soccer and the hardcore hazing?
