Former Iowa State Star Nikki Moody Sues Coach Bill Fennelly and School for Racial Discrimination

Nikki Moody, who graduated from Iowa State in 2015 after being the school’s starting point guard for four years and whose 745 assists are most in program history, has sued the university and women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly for racial discrimination and retaliation. The AP reports:

"Moody claims that Fennelly treated white players differently than African-American players and that Fennelly called her a “thug” multiple times throughout her career. Moody said that Fennelly told Iowa State’s freshman players that her senior class, made up of Moody and two other African-American players, were “bad influences” and to stay away from them. Fennelly allegedly told Moody she had “been trying to ruin my life, but I will get the last laugh. I can’t wait to tell coaches that call me all the negative things I know about you.” According to Moody, Fennelly also repeatedly demeaned Chassidy Cole, at the time the only black player on the team who was not a freshman, saying she “will end up in prison, just like her mother” and was also a thug. Cole declined comment Monday, telling The Associated Press she “didn’t want to be involved.”"

The school declined to comment for the AP’s story; Fennelly has been head coach there since 1995. He has a 447-223 record there, and in 2007 signed a 12-year, $10.6 million contract extension that runs through 2019. Though Moody was drafted in the 2nd round of the WNBA Draft by the San Antonio Stars, she did not make the roster for the regular season.