Former Arizona Swimmer Hogsed Sues University For Alleged Negligence

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.

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The Truth Hurts
6 years ago

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.

AZFAN400
6 years ago

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 »

TSA
6 years ago

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.

Harry Dresden
Reply to  TSA
6 years ago

“It seems to me that being right is overrated at best.” That statement gave me Forrest Whitaker eye.

Flyonthewall
Reply to  Harry Dresden
6 years ago

Facts Don’t Lie!

Flyonthewall
Reply to  Flyonthewall
6 years ago

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!

This I know
6 years ago

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 »

Flyonthewall
Reply to  This I know
6 years ago

Hospital Cat Scan/ Athletes vs Head Trama

Flyonthewall
Reply to  Flyonthewall
6 years ago

Hospital Bleeding from bite wound / Athlete biting another athlete vs body flood

Flyonthewall
Reply to  This I know
6 years ago

Team Doctor vs Concussion Test??????????

Flyonthewall
Reply to  This I know
6 years ago

Your correct! He is the victim.

Flyonthewall
Reply to  Flyonthewall
6 years ago

Code of Conduct: Provide a health and safe environment.

Bossanova
6 years ago

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.

Taa
Reply to  Bossanova
6 years ago

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

Flyonthewall
Reply to  Taa
6 years ago

Dismissed by the court. Different story for roommate .

UofA Wildcat
Reply to  Bossanova
6 years ago

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.

Flyonthewall
Reply to  UofA Wildcat
6 years ago

Hospital report no drugs no alcohol . Police report.on the assault revealed no drugs no alcohal. Hospital reported assault to Police.

UofA Wildcat
Reply to  Flyonthewall
6 years ago

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 »

writestuff
Reply to  UofA Wildcat
6 years ago

Unless it’s McGregor vs Mayweather, how do you agree to a fight?

Flyonthewall
Reply to  UofA Wildcat
6 years ago

The guilty one was given a mild punishment after he confessed to AD. ROLL TIDE!

Flyonthewall
Reply to  UofA Wildcat
6 years ago

Lesson learned! Never turn your back to walk away from someone who pulled his shirt off and physically made it clear to assault you.

Enough
Reply to  Flyonthewall
6 years ago

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.

Harry Dresden
Reply to  Enough
6 years ago

Your mom needs to stop

UofA Wildcat
Reply to  Enough
6 years ago

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.

Flyonthewall
Reply to  Bossanova
6 years ago

Deans list, good person, no charges, well thought of by a lot of Coaches and swimmers. When he needed help they came to him.

Flyonthewall
Reply to  Bossanova
6 years ago

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.

Sccoach
6 years ago

College swim drama is super lame compared to college football drama, but I still have my popcorn out.

Taa
Reply to  Sccoach
6 years ago

Brock turner was enough drama?

Taa
Reply to  Taa
6 years ago

*wasn’t

Dlswim
6 years ago

This is one of the more disturbing comments section that I have ever read on swimswam. Hopefully all the facts will come out soon.

Harry Dresden
Reply to  Dlswim
6 years ago

Your mom’s disturbing

d3fan
6 years ago

Facts: This comment section is getting out of control and libelous.

Opinion: SwimSwam should close the comment section on this story.

Harry Dresden
Reply to  d3fan
6 years ago

Your mom’s out of control and libelous

sven
Reply to  Harry Dresden
6 years ago

Fact: Harry Dresden delivers the finest owns.

Harry Dresden
Reply to  sven
6 years ago

Fact: Sven knows what’s up

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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