Pelini Foundation is sued

Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb.

A woman has sued Nebraska coach Bo Pelini’s foundation and offensive coordinator Tim Beck, alleging she suffered a traumatic brain injury while participating in a drill at a football clinic put on by the foundation two years ago.

Beverly Morgan, 66, of Lincoln said in the lawsuit filed Tuesday in Lancaster County Court that she fell and hit the back of her head during a drill in which a gauntlet of women struck her with blocking pads. The fall caused her cap and earrings to fly off, according to the lawsuit.

Beck oversaw the drill and, according to the lawsuit, encouraged the women in the lines to “hit her.” After Morgan fell, Beck helped her to a chair on the sideline and left. Morgan alleged Beck was negligent because he failed to warn participants of the dangers of the drill and never saw to it that she received on-site medical treatment.

The lawsuit seeks $92,500 in medical costs and punitive damages.

Messages were left for Morgan’s attorney, Beck and an attorney handling the case for the foundation.

Morgan’s injury occurred at an event targeted at women known as Football 101. Clinicians taught basics of the game to about 950 participants 18 and older who paid $95 apiece.

Football 101 was supposed to be an annual event but was not held in 2011 or 2012.

The one-day event held June 2, 2010, at the University of Nebraska raised about $100,000 for breast cancer research and treatment in Nebraska.

Morgan said in the lawsuit that her injuries left her unable to function normally, particularly in her work in the trucking industry.