6 years, 7 months ago by Scott Hardy
Former men's tennis player claims former coach retaliated against him in Title IX investigation
A former Quincy University student and member of the men's tennis team is suing the school for $10 million, saying they retaliated against him after he testified during an investigation of his coach.
Daniel Lozier filed the 12-count suit last April in U.S. District Court in Springfield against QU and former men's tennis coach Brian Holzgrafe. Lozier claims that after he was interviewed in April 2017 by the school's Title IX administrator about allegations that Holzgrafe was in an intimate relationship with a member of the QU Women's tennis team, details of the interview were leaked within a day. Lozier also says that he was kicked off the tennis team 2 days after the interview, and that other QU officials told him to complete the semester remotely, off campus. He also claims that Holzgrafe and other members of the tennis team verbally harassed him in the days after the interview, calling him a snake and a rat. In the suit, Lozier says he also told the school's Title IX administrator that Holzgrafe and his assistant coaches provided the team with drugs and alcohol, and that Holzgrafe instructed the team to cover up a hit and run accident. Lozier alleges that Holzgrafe side-swiped a vehicle in Fort Meyers, Florida during a spring trip the team took in March 2017. QU issued a statement saying they "strongly deny the allegations brought in the lawsuit and intends to vigorously defend itself."
A hearing in the case is set for April 11th in Springfield. The initial lawsuit filed in April 2018 is available below.
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