We reported last month that, after 2 years as a Wildcat, 21-year-old Nicholas Hogsed was making the move from swimming to at the University of Arizona to becoming an Ohio State Buckeye. A Courthouse News Service article has been published this week, giving insight into what may have served as underlying motivation for the move.
Per the article, Hogsed has sued the University of Arizona, claiming that he was beaten by an unnamed teammate in August 2016. The claim also alleges that then-Head Coach Rick DeMont ‘berated, ridiculed and ostracized’ Hogsed until he was forced to give up his scholarship and leave the university.
After 30 years with the program and 4 as Head Coach, DeMont retired earlier this year. Augie Busch has since been named as Arizona’s new Head Coach.
In the official complaint filed to the court of Pima County, Hogsed’s attorney wrote that “Instead of taking any action to address the hostility, Coach DeMont retaliated against him by repeatedly blaming, demeaning and belittling plaintiff for reporting the matter to the U of A dean of students.”
When Hogsed reportedly asked for clearance to transfer out of Arizona, the swimmer says DeMont would ‘only sign if he dropped his complaint with the dean of students.’ Hogsed eventually left the university after allegedly suffering ‘weight loss, anxiety, flashbacks in dreams, stress, fear and headaches.’
He seeks damages for negligence, negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress, medical expenses, lost educational opportunities and costs of suit.
Per the Courthouse News Service, a spokesman for the University of Arizona declined comment, saying he was ‘not aware’ of the lawsuit. When we reached out for comment, the school once again declined, citing its policy of not commenting on pending litigation.
I predict a 7 figure settlement. This should set him up for a nice life. DeMont is toast and a fitting end to a troubled legacy. The new coach is no better as my friend’s talented son has found the same culture in place. President Robbins is cleaning house so watch out Augie.
As I have said before Rick Demont was a good stroke coach but lacked the necessary skills to manage the team. His lack of skill in this area coupled with some problematic assistants allowed for incidents like this to happen. ( Oh, yes there were more) But those people are all gone. Augie Busch is well acquainted with following behind a management crisis. He knows what to do to keep the athletes in line. (UVA swimmers please feel free to comment) If a swimmer is looking at going to UofA now might be the best time in the last twenty years to go. It will be a safe environment. The AD (and probably NCAA) will be watching this program like… Read more »
As a parent of a 2018 recruit with a visit soon, I find the comments highly disturbing. Especially from the swimmers. I understand that everyone wants to be right, but it seems to me that being right is overrated at best. None of you are helping the situation. Please take these awesome writing skills and put them into your school work. The world is in great need of employees who can start with a blank page write passionately.
“It seems to me that being right is overrated at best.” That statement gave me Forrest Whitaker eye.
Facts Don’t Lie!
Facts don’t lie! Hospital report, Police report, clean record, Deans list, World trial cut, OLYMPIC trial cuts, trained by respected Olympic Gold Medallist in his early years Jr Naltionals,well respected by Coaches /swimmers from a number of other conferences,Scholarship at Az., ect,ect,ect and trained with Senior Coach known by most coaches through our the swim world over last six months . This talented athlete is a good person!
Not why DeMont retired, His own choice. Terrible a no body like this is trying to take down a kind, generous and compassionate coach who cared for his athletes. DeMont is one of a kind and doubt he did wrong. Hogsed obviously had his issues.
The lawsuit is bad news either way but knowing many of the individuals Hogsed is hardly innocent in this case. Seems like another blame game lawsuit. When will kids take blame for their actions? Should have been excused from the team long before for his other actions. Also, why was he on scholarship?
As for teams history this all is tainted from the end of the Busch era and has now come full… Read more »
Hospital Cat Scan/ Athletes vs Head Trama
Hospital Bleeding from bite wound / Athlete biting another athlete vs body flood
Team Doctor vs Concussion Test??????????
Your correct! He is the victim.
Code of Conduct: Provide a health and safe environment.
The guy’s alleged alcohol offenses in the past really don’t have any bearing on whether or not he was assaulted and made to keep quiet about it. Way to smear the victim with the ole “He’s no angel” card, UOFA WILDCAT. Imagine if that was done to a rape victim. Shameful.
I agree with u on a criminal assault type thing but as far as his participation on a college swim team I have no problem with a coach deciding 3 strikes and your outta here. Hopefully u. An see these are totally different issues
Dismissed by the court. Different story for roommate .
That would indeed be shameful! Victim blaming really is a problem, especially in terms of rape culture. Now, correct me if I’m wrong. When one willingly engages in physical combat with another and loses the fight, both parties are still guilty. If one was a repeat offender, and the other a first time offender, do they both get the same consequence? I believe this line of reasonable thinking is where a history of alcohol related offense DO have a bearing. Now the “Keep it quiet” issue is a weird one. It runs into less facts, less evidence, and is mostly a “He is lying….No HE is lying” type of argument. Thats why I can’t really delve into that.
Hospital report no drugs no alcohol . Police report.on the assault revealed no drugs no alcohal. Hospital reported assault to Police.
Wow, insightful points fly on the wall! I’m unaware on whether or not witnesses beat such a strong paper trail here. So let’s ignore the multitude of witnesses that claim he was drinking, for now. So he was not drunk when he went to hospital (many many hours after the altercation). Perhaps he wasn’t drunk during the altercation. We still verifiable case of two people mutually agreeing to fight. Both at fault, prior issues make ones punishment more severe than the others. It doesn’t seem unreasonable. Add on the assumption that at the time that punishments were dolled out, Rick Demont had nothing but the claims of one person versus the claims of many people. Thank you for the references… Read more »
Unless it’s McGregor vs Mayweather, how do you agree to a fight?
The guilty one was given a mild punishment after he confessed to AD. ROLL TIDE!
Lesson learned! Never turn your back to walk away from someone who pulled his shirt off and physically made it clear to assault you.
All of you need to stop. Either have these discussions in private or in court. You have embarrassed yourselves and whatever is left of this program you claim to love.
Your mom needs to stop
I would have the discussions in private, but I’m the only one willing to say who I actually am. I should be embarrassed for defending my team, school, and coaches? My program has plenty still left. I’m just doing my best to defend against the many who seemingly seek to bring down my team at any chance they get. I can only hope I get brought to court so I can prove without a shadow of a doubt how ridiculous these claims are.
Deans list, good person, no charges, well thought of by a lot of Coaches and swimmers. When he needed help they came to him.
Clean Record, the only report found is police report on assault revealing no alcohal no drugs. Any law enforcement will tell you that it takes 24 – 72 hrs to clear your body of alcohal.
College swim drama is super lame compared to college football drama, but I still have my popcorn out.
Brock turner was enough drama?
*wasn’t
This is one of the more disturbing comments section that I have ever read on swimswam. Hopefully all the facts will come out soon.
Your mom’s disturbing
Facts: This comment section is getting out of control and libelous.
Opinion: SwimSwam should close the comment section on this story.
Your mom’s out of control and libelous
Fact: Harry Dresden delivers the finest owns.
Fact: Sven knows what’s up