Huge twist after 18 UC Berkeley swimmers aired heinous abuse claims against top womens coach

A group of former UC Berkeley swimmers who accused the school of ignoring years of heinous abuse allegations against its once-celebrated women’s swimming coach have won a major legal reversal.A California appeals court ruled Tuesday that 18 former Cal Golden Bears swimmers can move forward with their lawsuit against the University of California Board of Regents.The swimmers sued in 2024, claiming university officials turned a blind eye to years of alleged abuse by longtime women’s swimming coach Teri McKeever, who was fired in January 2023 after an outside law firm substantiated claims from dozens of athletes.The case was tossed in June 2024 after a judge found the statute of limitations had expired, since some of the allegations dated too far back.But a three-judge panel from the First Appellate District of California ruled the lawsuit can proceed under the discovery rule, which can pause the clock until plaintiffs reasonably learn they were harmed by alleged wrongdoing.The court found that a 2022 Orange County Register investigation was the catalyst for many of the former swimmers to realize McKeever’s alleged conduct was not simply hard coaching, but alleged abuse.“Plaintiffs acknowledge that while they were on the team, they knew they were suffering due to McKeever’s coaching,” the decision reads.“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.”The panel also pointed to the power dynamic between coaches and athletes, noting it “makes it difficult for athletes to realize they are victims of abuse,” according to the report.The ruling marks a huge twist in the legal fight against the university, which former swimmers claim allowed McKeever to remain in charge despite years of complaints.McKeever had been one of the most powerful figures in women’s swimming, leading Cal to four NCAA team titles and coaching the...