Judge dismisses lawsuit by former NC State athletes against ex-trainer

2 sources2 min read • Latest: Jun 9, 2026, 11:04 PM

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

Judge dismisses lawsuit by former NC State athletes against ex-trainer
Summary

A Wake County Superior Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit from 31 former N.C. State athletes alleging sexual abuse by Robert M. Murphy Jr., the school's former director of sports medicine. The lawsuit, filed in February, claimed misconduct dating back to 2013. Judge Bryan Collins ruled the claims were dismissed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations and jurisdictional issues, stating they should go through the North Carolina Industrial Commission instead. Attorney Kerry Sutton, representing the athletes, indicated plans to appeal the decision, emphasizing it was based on legal procedure rather than the merits of the allegations. Sutton also mentioned new claims would be added against N.C. State. Murphy's attorney, Jared Hammett, described the ruling as a vindication for his client.

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Key Details
  • Judge Collins dismissed claims citing procedural issues.
  • The lawsuit was initially prompted by a single federal lawsuit in 2022.
  • Athletes plan to appeal the dismissal and add new claims.
  • Robert M. Murphy served as N.C. State’s director of sports medicine from 2012 to 2022.
  • N.C. State maintains its commitment to addressing misconduct.
Latest Updates
  • 11:54 PMESPNAbuse suit by former NC State athletes dismissed
  • 10:14 PMYahoo SportsJudge dismisses lawsuit by 31 former NC State athletes alleging abuse, misconduct by ex-head trainer
What they're saying
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A state judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by 31 former N.C. State male athletes alleging sexual abuse under the guise of treatment and harassment by the Wolfpack’s former director of sports medicine. In orders filed Tuesday, Wake County Superior Court Judge Bryan Collins dismissed claims against Robert M. Murphy Jr., as well as multiple N.C. State athletics officials tied to their oversight rules, citing procedural reasons. The lawsuit was filed in February in state court in a case that began with a federal lawsuit from a single athlete filed in 2022.

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Bryan Collins, a North Carolina superior court judge, dismissed a lawsuit from 31 former N.C. State male athletes alleging sexual abuse under the guise of treatment and harassment by the Wolfpack's former director of sports medicine, Robert M. Murphy Jr.

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