A new lawsuit surfaces
A civil complaint filed this week in Scott County Circuit Court names former basketball coach Sean Woods and several school administrators as defendants in a case brought by two former students.
The plaintiffs allege that Woods engaged in a pattern of misconduct that included inappropriate touching, lewd comments and invitations to drink and party, actions they say created a hostile environment for the teenage athletes.
Allegations against Woods
According to the filing, the misconduct reportedly began during after‑practice gatherings, where Woods is accused of making sexual remarks and encouraging students to consume alcohol.
The complaint details specific incidents in which Woods is said to have placed his hand on a student’s thigh and made suggestive comments about the athlete’s physique, behavior that the plaintiffs argue violates both school policy and state law.
School response and student fallout
School officials named in the suit — including the superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal and other administrators — are accused of ignoring repeated warnings and failing to report the alleged abuse to law enforcement.
The plaintiffs contend that the district’s inaction forced them to transfer to other schools, disrupting their studies and athletic scholarships, and they are seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the resulting harm.
The case has sparked calls for an independent investigation of the district’s handling of harassment complaints, with community members demanding stronger safeguards for student athletes.