Virginia

Virginia Tech reaches $100K deal with ex-soccer player who sued over ‘BLM’ benching

Published

2 years ago

January 9, 2023

Virginia Tech reaches 0K deal with ex-soccer player who sued over ‘BLM’ benching

A former Virginia Tech soccer participant has reached a $100,000 settlement with the varsity to dismiss her lawsuit claiming she misplaced her beginning spot on the Hokies group over her refusal to kneel with teammates in assist of the Black Lives Matter motion.

Kiersten Hening, a former non-scholarship participant for the Hokies, filed a federal lawsuit in opposition to Virginia Tech coach Chugger Adair in 2021, saying he focused her as a result of he ‘dislikes Hening’s political beliefs.’

Hening has now agreed to drop that lawsuit in trade for $100,000. Nevertheless, the settlement doesn’t require Virginia Tech to confess to any wrongdoing, her legal professional, Cameron Norris, instructed The Roanoke Occasions.

The truth is, Tech’s attorneys insist that Adair’s resolution to demote Hening from the beginning lineup was based mostly strictly on efficiency.

Kiersten Hening (left), a former non-scholarship participant for the Hokies, filed a federal lawsuit in opposition to Virginia Tech coach Chugger Adair (proper) in 2021, saying he focused her as a result of he ‘dislikes Hening’s political beliefs’

‘I’m happy the case in opposition to me has been closed and I’m free to maneuver ahead away from any flawed doing,’ Adair wrote in a tweet final week.

‘It is unlucky, however this ordeal was a couple of disappointment and disagreement about enjoying time,’ he tweeted. ‘In the present day, we’ve readability that this case lacked any standing, and with out proof, the reality has prevailed.’

A Tech spokesman declined so as to add something to the Occasions’ reporting. The settlement has not been finalized as a result of it nonetheless must be authorized by college and state officers.

As a part of her preliminary lawsuit, Hening requested to be reinstated to the soccer group and given compensatory and punitive damages. She has since graduated from Virginia Tech, in accordance with the Occasions.

The Virginia Tech ladies’ soccer group is pictured right here earlier than a ‘unity assertion’ was learn on the residence opener in 2020. The group additionally knelt in unison, though a number of gamers, together with Hening, didn’t take part

Hening was as soon as a strong midfielder and defender for the Hokies earlier than her time enjoying on the sector was drastically reduce in September 2020

Chugger Adair photos teaching the Virginia Tech girls’s soccer group

Chugger Adair launched his personal assertion final week, but it surely didn’t point out a settlement

Tech tried to dismiss the case in early December, however was denied by US District Choose Thomas Cullen. A 3-day trial was scheduled to begin this month, however was canceled final week.

There stays factual disputes between the 2 events.

Tech has argued in courtroom paperwork that it has proof displaying that different gamers who refused to kneel didn’t endure any penalties, similar to lowered enjoying time.

‘Coach Adair’s explanations have been constant — Hening’s play contributed to his resolution for a line-up change,’ learn a submitting by Tech attorneys.

Hening has insisted that her conservative political beliefs and unfavourable opinion of Black Lives Matter is the one option to clarify how she went from beginning over her first two seasons to turning into a bench participant following her refusal to kneel.

She finally give up the group, saying Adair compelled her out with a ‘marketing campaign of abuse and retaliation.’

‘As a result of she refused to kneel, he benched her, subjected her to repeated verbal abuse, and compelled her off the group,’ learn the lawsuit obtained by DailyMail.com.

‘On account of her coach’s actions, Hening can now not play the sport she loves, regardless of having two extra years of NCAA eligibility,’ the lawsuit reads. ‘This Court docket ought to vindicate Hening’s constitutional rights and award her authorized and equitable aid.’

Hening claims her standing inside the group started to endure in 2020 following the Hokies’ opener in opposition to rival Virginia when almost the entire Virginia Tech gamers knelt in protest of racism whereas a ‘unity assertion’ from the Atlantic Coast Convention was learn on the loudspeaker in response to the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd

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Virginia

West Virginia Extends Offer to Alabama Transfer Linebacker Sterling Dixon

Published

3 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Press Room

West Virginia Extends Offer to Alabama Transfer Linebacker Sterling Dixon

West Virginia is getting in on the action for what will be one of the most coveted recruits in the transfer portal, sending out an offer to former Alabama freshman linebacker Sterling Dixon.

Dixon has also been contacted by Houston, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and a few others. He appeared in just three games this season, making one tackle, which came in their win over Western Kentucky. WVU is hoping to get a date for a visit nailed down soon.

He chose the Crimson Tide over offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UCF, USC, and about a dozen others.

In his senior year at Spanish Fort High School, Dixon racked up 128 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 32 hurries, 15 sacks, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, one interception, and one pass breakup.

Dixon will have four years of eligibility remaining.

Virginia

VDOT crews treat roads in Northern Virginia, ask residents to stay off the roads

Published

11 hours ago

January 6, 2025

Press Room

VDOT crews treat roads in Northern Virginia, ask residents to stay off the roads

Virginia Department of Transportation crews pre-treated about 2000 miles worth of roads in Northern Virginia and has crews on standby ready to plow the snow that’s heading towards the area Monday.

“We should have around 3000 pieces of equipment out there ready to go, ready to attack the snow as it begins to really pile up overnight, and that is the forecast for some heavy snow,” said Alex Liggitt with VDOT.

Virginia State Police announced it’s already seen an increase in crashes in the southwestern part of the state, where conditions worsened earlier on Sunday.

Authorities are urging everyone to stay off the roads unless it’s absolutely essential to be out there. If you must travel, state police are asking drivers to make sure your car is in good working order with plenty of fuel, functioning windshield wipers and be sure to check the tread on your tires.

From VDOT, the more cars that are out there, the harder it is for them to do their job.

“This isn’t going to be, ‘Okay, we’re out there tonight, tomorrow morning and we’re done. We’re going home,’” Liggitt said. “Yeah, we’re likely going to be continuing to treat spots over the next several days.”

VDOT told News4 it’s responsible for 17,000 residential streets in Northern Virginia alone, so it’s asking residents to remain patient because it could be a couple of days before the streets in your neighborhood are treated.

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West Virginia Mountaineers: Transfer 101: Ashton Woods

Published

19 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

West Virginia Mountaineers: Transfer 101: Ashton Woods

West Virginia has jumped into the transfer portal to address a need at the linebacker position with a commitment from North Carolina linebacker Ashton Woods.

Woods, 6-foot-3, 225-pounds, appeared in six games during his true freshman season for the Tarheels but did not record any statistics. A former four-star prospect that was rated as the 17th best linebacker prospect in the nation according to Rivals.com.

Prior to picking North Carolina, Woods held a long list of scholarship offers including USC, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Miami (Fla.), Auburn, Nebraska, Kentucky and a long list of other schools.

The Georgia native entered the transfer portal Dec. 27 and will have three years of eligibility remaining in his career.

WVSports.com breaks down the transfer of Woods and what it means to the West Virginia Mountaineers football program both now and in the future.

The data:

Woods only saw two defensive snaps in his true freshman season but brings a strong profile considering he tallied 151 tackles, eight sacks, 20 tackles for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles as a senior in high school.

The early enrollee has excellent size at the position and was able to see the field in his first year with the program which isn’t an easy thing to do.

Fitting the program:

West Virginia has only six true inside linebackers on the roster and one of those is a true freshman that means that as long as Woods is able to adjust quickly there are going to be chances for him to compete for time on the field.

Woods has the size and pedigree that you want to see out of young players that you pull from the transfer portal and that should translate to Morgantown.

It’s an addition from the state of Georgia where he played at an extremely high level in high school and now will have a chance to make the most of his opportunities. The fact that he will have at least three years remaining is critical.

Recruiting the position:

West Virginia still needs more experience at the linebacker position and the program has been active when it comes to searching for those options in the portal. Expect that to continue even with the addition of a high upside option like Woods.

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