A lawsuit brought by dozens of former North Carolina State University athletes alleging sexual abuse by a former athletic trainer has been dismissed by a state court judge.
Bryan Collins, a North Carolina superior court judge, dismissed the legal action filed by 31 former N.C. State male athletes. The plaintiffs had alleged they were subjected to sexual abuse under the guise of medical treatment and harassment by Robert M. Murphy Jr., the Wolfpack's former director of sports medicine.
The dismissal represents a significant legal development in a case that centered on allegations against Murphy, who previously held a senior position overseeing sports medicine for the university's athletic programs. The lawsuit involved multiple former athletes who competed for the Wolfpack across various sports programs.
The specific legal grounds for Judge Collins' dismissal were not detailed in available court records. The case had drawn attention to questions surrounding athlete safety protocols and oversight of medical professionals within collegiate athletic departments.
North Carolina State University, located in Raleigh, competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The institution has not issued public statements regarding the dismissal or the underlying allegations at this time.
