Lynette Fager, the university's director of communication, issued a statement to IndyStar about the coaching changes and its response to the new allegations, which focused mainly on the actions of Nick Johnson. The court has also issued ano-contact order with the victim. If you want to plan the perfect spring picnic, food and drink are important, but its certainly not the only factor to consider. A lawsuit filed on behalf of two former HU students Sept. 30 alleges Johnson had sex with two student-athletes and forced pills and injections on his runners. The runners claimed Hines and Lauren Johnson knew of the abuse but did nothing, according to the lawsuit. MAYOR'S RACE: Who will win the Republican nomination? A federal lawsuit was filed Sept. 30 on behalf of two former Huntington runners, Hannah Stoffel and Emma Wilson, alleging criminal battery by former coach Nick Johnson and negligence by Lauren Johnson, his wife; assistant coach Curtis Hines; Huntington University, and other school officials. (WANE) A former Huntington University cross country coach was charged with identity deception and is serving time in jail. The University was informed on Thursday, December 10, that charges were filed in Huntington County against Johnson. Forester Night Recognizes Foresters, Professor of the Year, Foresters Take Home IASB Video School of the Year Award, Forester Students Dominate Advertising Honors, Alpha Chi Students Garner National Academic Awards. Action is set Saturday at the Huntington University Cross Country Course in Huntington, Indiana, with the men's 8k starting at 10:30 a.m. In the police report filed after Nicks identity deception charge, the University of Oregon employee whose identity said it was her understanding that he was fired or fined by anti-doping authorities when he was an assistant coach at OTC. The lawsuit claims university officials were aware of the abuse and did nothing to protect the runners. In the lawsuit, the runners claim the Johnsons instilled the doping program where some of the team members were invited to partake in a study or experiment endorsed by a shoe brand and Huntington Universitys athletic director. We understand that the pending lawsuit will account for how the wolves got there in the first place and why they were permitted to stay. The IHSAA confirmed Monday the meet will be held on Oct. 22 at Indiana Wesleyan University. I think theres a lot of abuse of power by coaches.. The story was broken last week by IndyStar sportswriter David Woods, who recently joined FOX59s Angela Ganote in studio to discuss the story. The university is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), as well as the Crossroads League, a conference of private Christian colleges in the Midwest. The University has engaged in communication with key stakeholders to begin the necessary work required to ensure the ongoing care of our students," the statement said. Investigators believe Johnson set up a fake email account to carry out the crimes and at one point traveled with the victim across state lines to pick up a puppy. Johnson told investigators he performed physical treatments that involved inappropriate touching in his garage which the victim also confirmed took place. Huntington University has failed to take accountability for the safety and human rights of students.. According to USADA, she has been drug tested seven times this year. Lauren Johnson, 35, is in her second year as cross-country coach of Huntington University, where she is the first female coach to head the program. Yes, she has run a marathon! The 5K will start in front of the student union building (HUB, #17 on the campus map) and will cover ground around campus and the HU Cross Country Course. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. American Idol contestant Zachariah Smith continues to make Northeast Indiana proud. A disturbing investigative .css-1hr08dr{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#59E7ED;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1hr08dr:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}report in the IndyStar revealed details behind the lawsuit, which was filed on Friday on behalf of Hannah Stoffel and Emma Wilson, both of whom won NAIA individual national titles for the program under the Johnsons. The University has and continues to provide a variety of opportunities and directed avenues for students who were impacted to be heard, obtain counseling services, and make Title IXinquiries. Indiana State Police say an Illinois man was killed in a head-on crash Monday afternoon on the Indiana Toll Road. With plenty of campus visit options, you can catch a glimpse of what it would be like to be a student here. As an athlete, she earned All-America honors in track, cross-country and basketball. Voters will decide who they want to get the nomination for the seat for each party. Online court records show Nicholas Johnson is now facing additional sexual battery and battery charges, filed on Monday. When reached for comment, Huntington officials released the following statement: University leadership has been made aware that a civil suit was filed that names the University, as well as individuals formerly and currently associated with the University. The runners also claim in the lawsuit they were psychological tortured with verbal abuse from Nicholas Johnson, and that he sexually battered them in front of members of Huntington University. This spring, Le Creuset has introduced an exciting new shade thats already selling fast: shallot, a soft lavender with pink and slight gray undertones. Huntington University is a Christian liberal arts college in Huntington, Indiana, about 100 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Police confirmed that a report was made, but a copy of the report was not available Tuesday. The Official 2022 Women's Cross Country Roster of Huntington University. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007. An earlier petition, signed by more than 200 current and former Huntington University womens athletes, asked for removal of administrators and those on the Board of Trustees who knew of the abuse. Johnson, who grew up in Huntington and ran for the Foresters, pleaded guilty to felony identity deception in 2021 and served 30 days of a two-year sentence. Earlier this week, multiple lawyers made appearances in federal court on behalf of the runners, according to court records and documents. Lawyers for the runners, who WANE TV is not identifying, filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Northern Indiana late last week. This spring, Le Creuset has introduced an exciting new shade thats already selling fast: shallot, a soft lavender with pink and slight gray undertones. We are committed to academic excellence and equipping you with the education and real-world skills needed to thrive in your future career. We help them discover who God wants them to be along the way. (WANE) Huntington University has placed its head cross country coach and an assistant on leave after two former runners claimed in a federal lawsuit they were doped,. Fort Wayne Location. He was terminated as the coach of Huntington University. He spent 30 days in jail and 150 days on electronic monitoring. In 2020, Nicholas Johnson was charged with two counts of child seduction, kidnapping and identity deception. The Indiana High School Athletic Association is moving the semi-state cross country meet away from Huntington University. An IndyStar sports investigation uncovered allegations of sexual abuse, potential doping and other issues in the women's running program at Huntington University. A petition initiated by Huntington students calls for resignations of Sherilyn Emberton, university president; Russ Degitz, chief operating officer, and Lori Culler, athletic director. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. If youre thinking of altering your workout routine, youre probably looking for new exercises and equipment to help you reach your fitness goals. A second petition initiated by students had nearly 500 signatures by Friday afternoon, Oct. 14. Men's Cross Country Events. In the suit, the runners claim the Johnsons Nicholas Johnson was head coach while his wife was assistant coach beginning in 2018 used an illegal performance enhancing doping program the coaching duo learned years earlier while running in the Pacific Northwest. The university was founded as Central College in 1897 by Milton Wright, a United Brethren bishop who was father of pioneering aviators Orville and Wilbur Wright. The women claim they. Former Huntington University cross country head coach Nicholas Johnson, who was an assistant coach on the NAIA program's national indoor championship team in 2019 before his recent firing, is. An. According to a post on the Huntington University Foresters Facebook page, Johnson is a HU alum and Huntington native who was hired in 2018 to take over the universitys mens and womens cross country program. (WPTA) - New charges have been filed against the former Huntington University womens cross country coach who was fired following inappropriate conduct with a student. Christian collegecoach created a culture of doping and sex, star runners allege, Unspeakable allegations of sex, doping and denial at Huntington, issued a statement to IndyStar about the coaching changes and its response to the new allegations, Indiana High School Athletic Association announced, 200 Huntington students and alumni signed a petition, In wake of scandal, Huntington University cancels gala and gets hit with 2nd petition, Here's why Huntington University's running program is under scrutiny. His arrest followed accusations that Johnson used a phony email account to communicate with a child and took the victim out of state without her parents knowledge. As of 6 p.m. Friday, the petition had 566 signatures. She decommitted from NCAA DI powerhouse University of Colorado to run for Huntington. This year a loaded field of five . More updates on Huntington scandal:In wake of scandal, Huntington University cancels gala and gets hit with 2nd petition. This event will take place on Friday, August 26 at 8:30 p.m. Contact IndyStar reporter David Woods at david.woods@indystar.com. Learn more about the sector and what jobs are available. It was moved to Indiana Wesleyan University. Huntington University in northeastern Indiana placed its women's cross country head coach and an assistant on leave after two former runners claimed in a federal lawsuit they were doped and . Nick Johnson, 35, formerly coached cross-country and track at Huntington University, where he was hired in 2018. Huntington University is doing its due diligence but cannot comment further at this time.. The runners are seeking damages from all involved. New charges filed against former Huntington U track coach, One person received minor burns in fire at R&P Dumpster Services. It is one of the area's premier courses and is predominantly grass with small sections of crushed gravel and features gentle rolling hills to make for a challenging race. In the suit, the runners claim Nicholas Johnson would perform massages or treatments on them and sexually assault them. He was the third cross country coach in the schools history. Huntington University is doing its due diligence but cannot comment further at this time.. Since then, a civil lawsuit has been filed by two former athletes claiming Johnson sexually harassed them and injected them with an unknown substance. In the wake of allegations by former Huntington University cross country runners of sexual misconduct and possible doping in the women's program, the university has filed a motion to dismiss a. Former coach Nick Johnson is accused of sexual abuse and doping by two former runners at the NAIA school in a recently-filed federal lawsuit. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. The lawsuit claims the Johnsons instilled the doping program at HU where some of the team members were invited to partake in a study or experiment.. - Tennessee VFL Darnell Wright became the highest drafted Southeastern Conference offensive lineman of the 2023 NFL Draft as the right tackle was selected by the Chicago Bears with the No. Both Hines and Lauren Johnson knew about the doping program and did nothing to stop distribution of the drugs, the lawsuit said. A federal lawsuit filed by former Huntington University cross-country runners alleges sexual assault and potential doping violations by former coach Nick Johnson, and negligence by his wife,. Huntington University is a Christian liberal arts college in Huntington, Indiana, about 100 miles northeast of Indianapolis. On Thursday, the school issued another statement: The University has engaged in communication with key stakeholders to begin the necessary work required to ensure the ongoing care of our students. His biography was removed from the universitys website. If youre thinking of altering your workout routine, youre probably looking for new exercises and equipment to help you reach your fitness goals. Leaders at Southwest Allen County Schools (SACS) say a student took an unloaded gun to a middle school building Monday afternoon. A lawsuit filed on behalf of two former HU students Sept. 30 alleges Johnson had sex with two student-athletes and forced pills and injections on his runners. The course is marked with a 3K, 5K and 8K route. More updates on Huntington scandal:In wake of scandal, Huntington University cancels gala and gets hit with 2nd petition, This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Here's why Huntington University's running program is under scrutiny, Singapores Aviation Industry is Growing Rapidly. Stoffel describes her distress after being forcibly injected near her uterus, and later being given unidentified pills to take, which she threw away. The University has and continues to provide a variety of opportunities and directed avenues for students who were impacted to be heard, obtain counseling services, and make Title IXinquiries. An IndyStar investigation into the Christian college, located in northeast Indiana, disclosed allegations of sexual abuse and pressure to submit to doping. 2023 www.indystar.com. Lauren Johnson represented the United States in the 1,500 meters at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, where she qualified for the semifinals. She contributes to Runners World, ESPN, Austin American-Statesman, FloTrack, MileSplit, Womens Running and Podium Runner. We remain committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities, that are free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.. (WANE) Huntington University has placed its head cross country coach and an assistant on leave after two former runners claimed in a federal lawsuit they were doped, sexually assaulted and raped. No criminal charges have been filed. Huntington athletic teams are called the Foresters. case, FW Animal Care & Control helps man find dog 2 years, Electric Works apartments making progress, Barbie launches doll for AAPI Heritage Month, Cheers bar, Tonight Show set among TV history, FWCS ends adult education program after 35 years, Coroner: 3-vehicle crash near Roanoke leaves man, Plea deal: Woman admits to sex in front of kids, BestReviews.com - Top gifts to make everyone happy this spring, Surprise your mom with one of these Mothers Day, Mothers Day inspo: This foot massager has 20,000, Drew Barrymores Walmart collection is perfect for, Best Mothers Day gifts for the budding plant mom, Cat that loves Taylor Swift music up for adoption, Stranger than fiction: Tick bite may cause allergy, LOOK: Obama, Springsteen, Spielberg photo, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Out of respect for the individuals involved and the law enforcement process, the University will not be making any public comment on this matter. In that case, he was accused of performing inappropriate medical procedures on a person between the ages of 16 and 18 years old, according to Huntington Superior Court documents. Huntington chose Roark, the new head coach in track and field, as cross-country coach, too. He will serve30 days of jail time,550 days of probation, and 150 days on electronic monitoring. We are committed to academic excellence and equipping you with the education and real-world skills needed to thrive in your future career. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. In the suit, the runners claimed Nicholas Johnson would perform massages or treatments on them and sexually assault them. Stoffel and Wilson describe being injected with unknown substances. Doyel:Unspeakable allegations of sex, doping and denial at Huntington. She was inducted into the the HU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015. Johnson, who grew up in Huntington and ran for the Foresters, pleaded guilty to felony identity deception in 2021 and served 30 days of a two-year sentence. Austin Roark, head coach of HUs track and field team, will assume a dual role and lead the cross country team as well during this time. As of Thursday afternoon, Oct. 6, profiles of former head coach Lauren Johnson and assistant Curtis Hines, who were named in the federal lawsuit filed by two former HU runners, have been removed from the universitys website. The lawsuit also claims the lawsuit that Nicholas Johnson raped the runner multiple times. Huntington is part of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. The University has and continues to provide a variety of opportunities and directed avenues for students who were impacted to be heard, obtain counseling services, and makeTitle IXinquiries. Were learning more about the allegations against a former Grant County doctor. The Huntington Beach, Calif., native is the only player in program history ranked in the top five in career hits, doubles, runs and RBIs. Second Avon HS student dies from drug overdose, More victims expected in Ind. Johnson claimed that different injections were lactic acid for a tolerance test on the treadmill, and to treat a case of poison ivy so Stoffels achilles tendon injury would heal faster. HUNTINGTON, Ind. HUNTINGTON, Ind. Huntington University Faces Lawsuit From Cross Country Doping And Sexual Allegations Against Coaches IHSAA Suddenly Moves Semi-State Cross Country Meet From Huntington University To Indiana Wesleyan Since the suit was filed the Forresters cross country teams have not competed. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. One of the runners who filed the lawsuit joined the Huntington program in 2019 while the other joined in 2020. Questions can be directed to Kay Schwob, director of development, at kschwob@huntington.edu or (260) 359-4382. We certainly hope to return to Huntington for the 2023 . The university is also being accused of Title IX violations. The Forever Foresters event, scheduled for next Thursday, has been taken off the HU calendar and website. According to the lawsuit, Nicholas Johnson was a part a running program under the leadership of disgraced distance runner Alberto Salazar, who was banned for four years by the USDA for doping in 2019. Huntington University is doing its due diligence but cannot comment further at this time.. None of the crimes are alleged to have taken place at Huntington University. It is affiliated with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. HUNTINGTON, Ind. HUNTINGTON, Ind. With plenty of campus visit options, you can catch a glimpse of what it would be like to be a student here. Online court records show Nicholas Johnson is now facing additional sexual battery and battery charges, filed on Monday. The lawsuit also alleges negligence by Johnson's wife, Lauren Johnson, as well as assistant coach Curtis Hines, Huntington University and other school officials. Check out these great suggestions. He pled guilty to the identity deception charge, and the prosecutor dropped the other charges. On Oct. 10, Indiana High School Athletic Association announced that its upcoming semistate would no longer take place at Huntington. Its more than a premier Christian college experienceits a solid foundation, a close-knit community, and a Christ-centered home where you belong. But right now, we will call on you to do what shepherds do, and remove the wolves.. The lawsuit alleges that Nick Johnson had sex with two student-athletes, which he admitted to police in 2020, claiming that the young women were the aggressors and the relationships were consensual. FORT WAYNE, Ind. A campus gala scheduled for October was taken off the HU calendar and website. That video can be seen below. More details about the allegations were revealed in a federal lawsuit filed Friday on behalf of two former runners. As of Thursday afternoon, Oct. 6, profiles of former head coach Lauren Johnson and assistant Curtis Hines, who were named in the federal lawsuit filed by two former HU runners, have been removed from the universitys website. In 2019, one of the runners was one of a select few who would receive injections of an unknown substance on a bi-weekly basis and told to sign non-disclosure agreements. T-shirt orders need to be submitted by August 10 to ensure delivery before the race. HUNTINGTON, Ind. (FOX59) A former coach at Huntington University denies allegations made by two former Huntington University cross country and track runners who filed a federal lawsuit. Bunker leads the team in batting average (.408), hits (62), doubles (12), RBI (51) and slugging percentage (.678). The lawsuit also alleges negligence by Johnson's wife, Lauren Johnson, as well as assistant coach Curtis Hines, Huntington University and other school officials. The lawsuit also claimed that Nicholas Johnson raped one runner multiple times. The individuals and the school did not respond to requests for comment. In the IndyStar report, Stoffel describes their coach-athlete relationship escalating from therapeutic massages and vulnerable discussions to intimate touching and sexual intercourse, despite her requests for him to stop, calling it sexually violating. The lawsuit says that Nick Johnson raped Stoffel on several occasions from July through November 2020. 2022 Women's Cross Country | Huntington University Athletics The 2022 Women's Cross Country team of the Huntington University. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. . The whole system to me seems broken right now, she said to the IndyStar. scandal in the Huntington University track and field, Unspeakable allegations of sex, doping and denial at Huntington, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. On Oct. 10, Indiana High School Athletic Association announced that its upcoming semistate would no longer take place at Huntington. This is not included in the ongoing lawsuit. ET, followed by the women's 5k at 11:45. The individuals and the school did not respond to requests for comment. Since the announcement of the charges, Johnson has been fired from Huntington University. Huntington University has failed to take accountability for the safety and human rights of students.. She replaced her husband, Nick Johnson, in the position. Lauren Johnson, 35, is in her second year as cross-country coach of Huntington University, where she is the first female coach to head the program. In a statement to Runners World, Huntington University Director of Communication, Lynette Fager said: University leadership has been made aware that a civil suit was filed that names the University, as well as individuals formerly and currently associated with the University. FOX59 reached out to Huntington University for a statement and this is what the university had to say: Huntington University has placed Lauren Johnson and Curtis Hines on administrative leave effective immediately and until further notice pending investigation. So let us say this very clearly, shepherds: there are wolves in the pen. Lauren is a former professional runner with the Oregon Track Club (OTC) from 2012 to 2015 who made the 2015 World Championships in the 1500 meters and this year, at age 35, ran 4:07.73her best time in five years. She is now a volunteer assistant for the IU cross-country and track teams and is studying occupational therapy. Looking for something special to get your mom for Mothers Day? After a 2021 season that saw her win five NAIA titles and run 32:38.56 for 10K, Wilson left Huntington to transfer to the University of Indianapolis and then Indiana State. Expertise of the former Indiana Tech assistant is in jumping events.