Virginia Tech soccer player Kiersten Hening will receive $100,000 after she accused her coach of “benching” the her for not supporting Black Lives Matter in a pre-game ceremony.
As reported by the Roanoke Times, “Hening had claimed that she lost her starting position after [Coach] Adair became angry when she refused to kneel during a unity ceremony at the beginning of a 2020 game. The event was held, in part, to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement, after the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers sparked a national outcry.
Attorneys for Tech countered that Adair’s decision was based solely on Hening’s poor performance on the soccer field.”
Hening claims she was active in most the games played by the team, having been placed as a starter for nearly all games played by the team.
Henning’s attorney, Cameron Norris, said the settlement includes the University and the women’s soccer coach.
Adair went on to Twitter to claim he is “clear of any wrong doing.” However, he makes no mention of the $100,000 awarded to Hening.
— CoachChugger (@CoachChugger) January 4, 2023
Adam Mortara, who had also represented Henning, responded to Nadir’s Tweet saying, “If by clarity you mean you are paying my client six figures in a settlement then you’re right that’s pretty clear. Honestly, Coach, read the Court’s opinion. You are paying. Defendants don’t pay in cases that have no standing.
If by clarity you mean you are paying my client six figures in a settlement then you’re right that’s pretty clear. Honestly, Coach, read the Court’s opinion. You are paying. Defendants don’t pay in cases that have no standing.
— Adam Mortara (@AdamMortara) January 4, 2023
