University Park, PA (WJAC) — A federal judge has denied Penn State's request to dismiss a lawsuit against the university in which a former member of the Blue Band Majorettes claims she was repeatedly bullied and harassed by the squad's coach.
The lawsuit, which was filed in December, cites numerous Title IX violations by the university and its former majorette coach, Heather Bean, who resigned in 2022.
The complainant, who is identified as Kaitlyn Wassel, claims that the alleged bullying and harassment began "almost immediately" when she joined the Majorettes Squad in 2018.
According to the lawsuit, Wassel claims that Bean "fat-shamed" her by forcing her to wear a smaller uniform, and would reportedly not allow her to change uniforms or alter the existing one.
The lawsuit also alleges that Bean repeatedly sexually harassed Wassel by calling her various derogatory names.
When Wassel reportedly filed a complaint against Bean, she claims that she was met with retaliation and continued harassment, including Bean calling her on weekends and asking her private information about her social life.
The lawsuit alleges that Bean's supervisor, Blue Band director Gregory Drane, also dismissed the complaints.
Wassel states that the repeated verbal abuse led to various personal health issues, including the development of an eating disorder.
Upon her graduation, the lawsuit states that Wassel joined four others, who had filed similar complaints, in requesting that an investigation be conducted.
Despite Penn State's claims that it could not "substantiate the allegations," the resulting investigative report noted that the allegations were corroborated and violated the university's harassment policy.
Penn State later stated that it could not discipline Bean since she had resigned prior to the report being released.
In February of this year, Penn State filed a motion to have the lawsuit dismissed, stating that the alleged harassment was not based on sexual discrimination.
On Tuesday, a federal judge sided with Wassel and denied the university's motion.
Penn State has 14 days to respond to the lawsuit.
6 News reached out to the university, and a spokesperson stated that it is policy to not comment on ongoing litigation.
The university also did not clarify why Coach Bean resigned in 2022.
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