While there’s a ton of excitement surrounding Kentucky’s decision to hire Mark Pope as its newest basketball coach, we can’t ignore the troubling accusations surrounding the school’s swim team.
On Friday, two former members of the Kentucky swim team filed a lawsuit the U.S. District Court against former coach Lars Jorgensen and the university.
Per the complaint, Kentucky was warned about Jorgensen’s behavior. He was accused of raping both plaintiffs and sending “sexually suggestive material” to swimmers via text message.
However, Kentucky allegedly failed to listen to the warnings about Jorgensen.
As a result, the lawsuit states that Kentucky allowed Jorgensen “to foster a toxic, sexually hostile environment within the swim program and to prey on, sexually harass, and commit horrific sexual assaults and violent rapes against young female coaches and collegiate athletes who were reliant on him.”
Jorgensen has already denied these allegations.
“None of that is true, so I don’t really have much further comment,” Jorgensen told The Athletic. “I’ve always tried to lead in a positive manner and do what’s best for each individual and the team overall.”
Jorgensen coached Kentucky’s swim team for 10 years before resigning in June 2023.
We’ll continue to provide updates on this legal situation in Lexington.