.css-17zuyas{display:block;font-family:Sailec,Sailec-fallback,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-17zuyas:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-17zuyas{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.4;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-17zuyas{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.4;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-17zuyas{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.4;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-17zuyas{font-size:1.2rem;line-height:1.4;}}.css-17zuyas h2 span:hover{color:#CDCDCD;}USATF Mountain Running Championships Results, These High School Boys Have Run Sub-4 Minute Miles, Watch: 96-Year-Old Clocks a 24-Second 100 Meters, Stephanie Bruce Sneaks In a Race at Big Sur, Ultramarathoner Runs to Destigmatize Incontinence, Mark Zuckerberg Just Ran a Surprisingly Fast 5K. 10 overall pick in the first round on Thursday night. A second petition initiated by students had nearly 500 signatures by Friday afternoon, Oct. 14. The lawsuit names former coach Nicholas Johnson and his wife, current coach Lauren Johnson, as well as assistant coach Curtis Hines, the university, the universitys board of trustees as well as unnamed administrators as defendants. The college is affiliated with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, and it competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Crossroads League conference, which is made up of private Christian colleges. The whole system to me seems broken right now, she said to the IndyStar. Were learning more about the allegations against a former Grant County doctor. With plenty of campus visit options, you can catch a glimpse of what it would be like to be a student here. The University was informed on Thursday, December 10, that charges were filed in Huntington County against Johnson. Johanna Gretschel is a freelance writer and broadcaster living in Austin, Texas, who has covered elite track and field and running in all its forms. She is now a volunteer assistant for the IU cross-country and track teams and is studying occupational therapy. The University has and continues to provide a variety of opportunities and directed avenues for students who were impacted to be heard, obtain counseling services, and makeTitle IXinquiries. The Huntington County Sheriffs Department says one person was killed in a crash late Monday morning along U.S. 24 in Roanoke. Johnson claimed that different injections were lactic acid for a tolerance test on the treadmill, and to treat a case of poison ivy so Stoffels achilles tendon injury would heal faster. Lauren Johnson represented the United States in the 1,500 meters at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, where she qualified for the semifinals. It added that university officials were aware or should have been aware of the abuse and did nothing to protect the runners. When reached for comment, Huntington officials released the following statement: University leadership has been made aware that a civil suit was filed that names the University, as well as individuals formerly and currently associated with the University. It states: Students are ashamed to be receiving a degree from this institution as it is not currently representing Christ, Scholarship, and Service accurately. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Stoffel, who started her career at Indiana University before transferring to Huntington to be closer to home, returned to IU during the 2021 spring semester. Expertise of the former Indiana Tech assistant is in jumping events. More updates on Huntington scandal:In wake of scandal, Huntington University cancels gala and gets hit with 2nd petition. Earlier this week, multiple lawyers made appearances in federal court on behalf of the runners, according to court records and documents. She replaced her husband, Nick Johnson, in the position. Bunker's win made it back-to-back player of the week honors for Oregon. The runners also claim in the lawsuit Nicholas Johnson continues to coach and give pointers to juvenile runners from all over northeast Indiana at his home. (WANE) Huntington University has placed its head cross country coach and an assistant on leave after two former runners claimed in a federal lawsuit they were doped, sexually assaulted and raped. 2023 www.indystar.com. Lauren Johnson was promoted to the head cross-country coach position following her husbands firing, despite student-athletes and parents concerns that Nick Johnson was allowed to stay too close to the program. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. In the lawsuit, the runners claim the Johnsons instilled the doping program where some of the team members were invited to partake in a study or experiment endorsed by a shoe brand and Huntington Universitys athletic director. Online court records show Nicholas Johnson is now facing additional sexual battery and battery charges, filed on Monday. He was fired in 2020 after being arrested on four felony charges related to a high school girl. This year a loaded field of five . Nick Johnson, 35, formerly coached cross-country and track at Huntington University, where he was hired in 2018. He posed as a University of Oregon official to contact a high school runners parents and arrange a recruiting trip. That recruiting trip involved Johnson and the recruit spending the weekend together at motels in Portland and Eugene, Oregon. If you want to plan the perfect spring picnic, food and drink are important, but its certainly not the only factor to consider. Johnson, 35, was initially arrested in December 2020 and charged with felony charges of child seduction, kidnapping, and identity deception. FORT WAYNE, Ind. Nicholas Johnson, 33, was originally charged with. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. But right now, we will call on you to do what shepherds do, and remove the wolves.. Lauren Johnson, 35, is in her second year as cross-country coach of Huntington University, where she is the first female coach to head the program. Heres what we know about the situation right now: Huntington University is a small, Christian, liberal arts college located in Huntington, Indiana, about two hours northeast of Indianapolis. Stoffel describes her distress after being forcibly injected near her uterus, and later being given unidentified pills to take, which she threw away. This is a free event, but registration will be required. The individuals and the school did not respond to requests for comment. (WANE) A former Huntington University cross country coach was charged with identity deception and is serving time in jail. An IndyStar investigation into the Christian college, located in northeast Indiana, disclosed allegations of sexual abuse and pressure to submit to doping. Nick Johnson was fired from Huntington and banned by the U.S. Center for SafeSport following his arrest in December 2020 for felony counts of child seduction, kidnapping, and identity deception. The lawsuit also alleges negligence by Johnson's wife, Lauren Johnson, as well as assistant coach Curtis Hines, Huntington University and other school officials. We remain committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities, that are free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.. Director of Communication and University Relations Lynette Fager said Huntington University continues to remain committed to providing a safe, healthy, and respectful learning environment for all students, faculty, and staff as together they continue to uphold the calling to Christ, scholarship, and service. Huntington chose Roark, the new head coach in track and field, as cross-country coach, too. All rights reserved. Since the announcement of the charges, Johnson has been fired from Huntington University. More on Huntington scandal:Runners allege a cult of sex and drugs, Gregg Doyel:Unspeakable allegations of sex, doping and denial at Huntington. Contact IndyStar reporter David Woods at david.woods@indystar.com. The organization said it made the decision following the issues surrounding the cross-country program at Huntington. 2303 College Avenue Huntington, IN 46750 (260) 356-6000. As of Thursday afternoon, Oct. 6, profiles of former head coach Lauren Johnson and assistant Curtis Hines, who were named in the federal lawsuit filed by two former HU runners, have been removed from the universitys website. Huntington University 2023. The HU cross country course is located north of campus off of Gragg and Stults Roads. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. We help them discover who God wants them to be along the way. Huntington University is doing its due diligence but cannot comment further at this time.. He was terminated as the coach of Huntington University. In a statement to Runners World, Huntington University Director of Communication, Lynette Fager said: University leadership has been made aware that a civil suit was filed that names the University, as well as individuals formerly and currently associated with the University. HUNTINGTON, Ind. The Foresters' next cross-country meets are Oct. 22 in the Great Lakes Challenge at Grand Rapids, Mich., and the Crossroads League meet at Shelbyville's Blue River Memorial Park on Nov. 4. The university is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), as well as the Crossroads League, a conference of private Christian colleges in the Midwest. From the moment you set foot on campus, youll feel the HU difference. Sneak Peek of the 2024 Olympic Marathon Course, Molly Seidels Strategy to Manage Her ADHD and OCD, Witchy Half-Marathon Record Has Been Broken Again. All proceeds from the Night Lights 5K will be donated to Huntington Universitys Cross Country team. The university then hired Lauren Johnson, who was still living with Nicholas Johnson. A federal lawsuit filed by former Huntington University cross-country runners alleges sexual assault and potential doping violations by former coach Nick Johnson, and negligence by his wife,. The runners claimed Hines and Lauren Johnson knew of the abuse but did nothing, according to the lawsuit. Attorneys for an embattled ex Huntington University track coach are seeking a change of venue for his looming sexual battery trial, according to a motion filed late last week in Huntington Superior A second petition initiated by students had nearly 500 signatures by Friday afternoon, Oct. 14. Former Huntington University cross country head coach Nicholas Johnson, who was an assistant coach on the NAIA program's national indoor championship team in 2019 before his recent firing, is. 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A federal lawsuit filed by former Huntington University cross-country runners alleges sexual assault and potential doping violations by former coach Nick Johnson, and negligence by his wife, current coach Lauren Johnson, as well as assistant coach Curtis Hines, Huntington University, and other school officials. The petition calls for resignations of Sherilyn Emberton, university president; Russ Degitz, chief operating officer, and Lori Culler, athletic director. Students are ashamed to be receiving a degree from this institution as it is not currently representing Christ, Scholarship, and Service accurately. She decommitted from NCAA DI powerhouse University of Colorado to run for Huntington. The Huntington Beach, Calif., native is the only player in program history ranked in the top five in career hits, doubles, runs and RBIs. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. On Wednesday, Oct. 5, Huntington University sent emails to students and financial supporters saying they're working through the allegations and remained focused on caring for students. We understand that the pending lawsuit will account for how the wolves got there in the first place and why they were permitted to stay. In the lawsuit, the former team members claim the university encouraged other team members to visit Nicholas Johnson at his home for running advice and comradery. Wright, a 2022 first-team All-SEC selection, held a draft party in Knoxville and celebrated with his family and friends. Huntington University 2023. None of the crimes are alleged to have taken place at Huntington University. We do more than provide students with a comprehensive, nationally-recognized education. We remain committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities, that are free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.. As an athlete, she earned All-America honors in track, cross-country and basketball. (WPTA) - New charges have been filed against the former Huntington University women's cross country coach who was fired following inappropriate conduct with a student. His biography was removed from the universitys website. In the suit, the runners claim the Johnsons Nicholas Johnson was head coach while his wife was assistant coach beginning in 2018 used an illegal performance enhancing doping program the coaching duo learned years earlier while running in the Pacific Northwest. FORT WAYNE, Ind. He was fired in 2020 after being arrested on four felony charges related to a high school girl. He referred questions about the lawsuit to his attorney, who did not comment. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. This league has provided the men's team winner or runner-up (or both) in each of the last three NAIA national championships. The university says part of its philosophy is "the conviction that all truth is God's truth" and that the school "exists to carry out the mission of Christ in higher education," according to its website. We are committed to academic excellence and equipping you with the education and real-world skills needed to thrive in your future career. Looking for something special to get your mom for Mothers Day? In the suit, the runners claim Nicholas Johnson would perform massages or treatments on them and sexually assault them. A lawsuit filed 2 weeks ago in the U.S. District Court of Northern Indiana alleges that former HU cross-country Head Coach Nick Johnson sexually and physically abused runners. Lauren Johnson, 35, is in her second year as cross-country coach of Huntington University, where she is the first female coach to head the program. Police records show that Johnson slept with and showered with the teen. Since then, a civil lawsuit has been filed by two former athletes claiming Johnson sexually harassed them and injected them with an unknown substance. (FOX59) A former coach at Huntington University denies allegations made by two former Huntington University cross country and track runners who filed a federal lawsuit. A lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court of Northern Indiana late last week names former coach Nicholas Johnson and his wife, current coach Lauren Johnson, as well as assistant coach Curtis Hines, the university, the universitys board of trustees as well as unnamed administrators as defendants. Fallout from a scandal in the Huntington University track and field program has continued with cancellation of a campus gala and a second petition calling for ouster of university leaders. Huntington is part of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. (WANE) Huntington University has placed its head cross country coach and an assistant on leave after two former runners claimed in a federal lawsuit they were doped,. The lawsuit alleges that Nick Johnson had sex with two student-athletes, which he admitted to police in 2020, claiming that the young women were the aggressors and the relationships were consensual. Both Hines and Lauren Johnson knew about the doping program and did nothing to stop distribution of the drugs, the lawsuit said. HUNTINGTON, Ind. Find info on Restaurants and Other Eating Places companies in Wattrelos, including financial statements, sales and marketing contacts, top competitors, and firmographic insights. It is affiliated with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. An IndyStar sports investigation uncovered allegations of sexual abuse, potential doping and other issues in the women's running program at Huntington University. At 500, the petition could be featured among recommendations on change.org. 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It is affiliated with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. She replaced her husband, Nick Johnson,. Huntington athletic teams are called the Foresters. This spring, Le Creuset has introduced an exciting new shade thats already selling fast: shallot, a soft lavender with pink and slight gray undertones. What happens to unclaimed lottery ticket winnings? HUNTINGTON, Ind. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. More than 200 Huntington students and alumni signed a petition calling for the ouster of university leaders who knew about the allegations of abuse in the track and field program. An earlier petition, signed by more than 200 current and former Huntington University womens athletes, asked for removal of administrators and those on the Board of Trustees who knew of the abuse. The lawsuit also claimed that Nicholas Johnson raped one runner multiple times. She was inducted into the the HU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015. The IHSAA confirmed Monday the meet will be. A dark side:Christian collegecoach created a culture of doping and sex, star runners allege. Nicholas Johnson would also rub unknown substances on the runners, the lawsuit claims. The lawsuit also claims the lawsuit that Nicholas Johnson raped the runner multiple times. One of the runners who filed the lawsuit joined the Huntington program in 2019 while the other joined in 2020. On Thursday, the school issued another statement: The University has engaged in communication with key stakeholders to begin the necessary work required to ensure the ongoing care of our students. The University has engaged in communication with key stakeholders to begin the necessary work required to ensure the ongoing care of our students," the statement said. The university says part of its philosophy is "the conviction that all truth is God's truth" and that the school "exists to carry out the mission of Christ in higher education," according to its website. The HU cross country course is located north of campus off of Gragg and Stults Roads. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, MORE: Huntington U cross-country and track program allowed doping, rape, Le Creuset just launched a dreamy new color for spring, Our fitness expert weighs in on this years top spring, Picnic-planning ideas for the spring season, Will Indiana teachers get a raise from new state, Dreary open to May gets resolved in the upcoming, May kicks off busy month for Speedway businesses. Doyel:Unspeakable allegations of sex, doping and denial at Huntington. This spring, Le Creuset has introduced an exciting new shade thats already selling fast: shallot, a soft lavender with pink and slight gray undertones. CJ Robertson, who once ran for. We remain committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities, that are free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.. Huntington University is a Christian liberal arts college in Huntington, Indiana, about 100 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Second Avon HS student dies from drug overdose, More victims expected in Ind. The northeastern Indiana school featured two national champions in cross-country, won a national team. Out of respect for the individuals involved and the law enforcement process, the University will not be making any public comment on this matter. According to the lawsuit, one runner shared the story of abuse both orally and in writing with the Huntington Police Department. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Huntington University is a Christian liberal arts college in Huntington, Indiana, about 100 miles northeast of Indianapolis. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Fort Wayne Location. Nick Johnson was fired as HU coach in December 2020 and succeeded by his wife. Huntington University. As an athlete, she earned All-America honors in track, cross-country and basketball. Questions can be directed to Kay Schwob, director of development, at kschwob@huntington.edu or (260) 359-4382. According to USADA, she has been drug tested seven times this year. In the wake of allegations by former Huntington University cross country runners of sexual misconduct and possible doping in the women's program, the university has filed a motion to dismiss a.