A significant legal reversal has been achieved by a group of former UC Berkeley swimmers who accused the university of disregarding years of horrific abuse allegations against its once-famous women’s swimming coach.
Eighteen former Cal Golden Bears swimmers were granted permission to proceed with their lawsuit against the University of California Board of Regents by a California appeals court on Tuesday.
The swimmers filed a lawsuit in 2024, alleging that university administrators ignored years of alleged abuse by longstanding women’s swimming coach Teri McKeever, who was sacked in January 2023 after scores of athletes’ claims were verified by an outside legal company.
A judge determined that the statute of limitations had passed since some of the charges were too old, and the case was dismissed in June 2024.
However, a three-judge panel from the First Appellate District of California said that the action can move forward under the discovery rule, which can stop the clock until plaintiffs reasonably determine they were affected by alleged misconduct.
The court determined that several of the former swimmers realized McKeever’s alleged behavior was abuse rather than just harsh coaching after an Orange County Register investigation in 2022.
The ruling states:
“Plaintiffs acknowledge that while they were on the team, they knew they were suffering due to McKeever’s coaching,”
“But plaintiffs argue they did not know McKeever’s conduct was anything other than legitimate, challenging coaching. That is, they did not know McKeever had committed any wrongdoing.”
According to the report, the panel also noted that the power relationship between coaches and athletes “makes it difficult for athletes to realize they are victims of abuse.”
The decision is a significant development in the legal battle against the university, which former swimmers contend permitted McKeever to continue leading despite years of grievances.
One of the most influential people in women’s swimming, McKeever coached the US Olympic women’s team in 2012 and led Cal to four NCAA team championships. She was the first female head coach of an Olympic swimming team from the United States.
