Parents of former NCAA runner sue university following her suicide

The parents of former Jacksonville University runner Julia Pernsteiner, who died by suicide in Nov. 2021, are suing the Florida-based university and its former track and cross-country coach, Ron Grigg, accusing him of berating and bullying her during her one-year tenure on the team.

According to the Florida Times, the wrongful-death lawsuit, filed earlier this month, accuses longtime coach Grigg of intentional infliction of emotional distress and states that Jacksonville University shares responsibility also.

This 10-post thread states that former Jacksonville University runner Julia Pernsteiner had asked school officials and reporter @sam_mathers to look into her coach's alleged verbal and emotional abuse before her death in November of 2021. https://t.co/jjh3Gaesm4 pic.twitter.com/xca0cSn908

— Fast Women (@fast_women) July 6, 2022

Former teammates of Pertnsteiner’s recall Grigg taking satisfaction in humiliating her, referring to her as “retarded,” “the slowest f— runner on the team,” and “unable to wipe your own a–,” the lawsuit states.

Pernsteiner had learning disabilities that affected her reading, writing and math skills and required the use of assistants and others to help her at JU. 

While she struggled with coursework, Pernsteiner trained with the team and faced “a toxic atmosphere of humiliation and intimidation” as the coach belittled and “fat-shamed” runners, according to the lawsuit.

Pernsteiner grew up in Eagan, Minn., and went to the University of Pikeville in Pikeville, Kent., for two years before transferring to Jacksonville after being recruited by Grigg to join his program. 

According to The Florida Times, she was kicked off the track and field and XC team by Grigg two months before her death.

The lawsuit cites the university’s negligence and breach of contract, plus failure to follow requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and civil rights law known as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

During the summer of 2021, Pernsteiner enrolled in summer courses at JU and learned that the academic support center she depended on was closed. She was not able to drop the courses, and her grades fell. The lawsuit cities that the school did not meet its commitment to her learning and the rules of the ADA. 

In July 2022, Grigg was relieved of his duties by the university, and all of the coaches and staff at JU were required to complete additional mandatory training involving mental health issues, which include body image, nutrition, bullying, and building a healthy, supportive team culture—according to the lawsuit.

Per university policy, they have not released a statement regarding the lawsuit and do not intend to comment while the litigation is pending.