Peyton Manning has been named as one of the athletes in a lawsuit against the University of Tennessee claiming that the university has violated several Title IX regulations. According to the report, the suit accuses the school of creating "a student culture that enables sexual assaults by student-athletes, especially football players, and then uses an unusual, legalistic adjudication process that is biased against victims who step forward."
Six former Volunteer athletes have been named in the suit. Two are still awaiting trial on sexual assault, but all have moved on from the university.
The suit also alleges that Tennessee chancellor Jimmy Cheek, athletic director Dave Hart and football coach Butch Jones showed "deliberate indifference" when confronted with accusations involving the athletes and failed to take corrective measures. The school released a statement arguing that it "acted lawfully and in good faith" and expects to win in court.
Bill Ramsey is a lawyer representing the school and he says (speaking for the school) that the school "has devoted significant time and energy to provide a safe environment for our students, to educate and raise awareness about sexual assault and to encourage students to come forward and report sexual assault."
Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity —- which most universities are (except for private ones). It also requires a thorough investigation of claims of sexual assault brought forth by students.
The entire report from The Tennessean can be found here.
