Rutgers Settles With Former Head Coach Petra Martin For $725K

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Photo Courtesy: Kalina DiMarco

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Rutgers University has reached a settlement with former women’s swimming and diving head coach Petra Martin in a report from NJ.com. Rutgers had fired Martin in November 2017 after complaints over her leadership style, and for shaming athletes over their weight and using abusive language. Martin was also accused of demanding her swimmers to stop using medication prescribed by doctors for anxiety and other issues.

Martin has since denied the allegations.

Rutgers has since cleared Martin of any misconduct and paid her remaining contract with an additional $200,000 in emotional damages. Rutgers Athletic Director Patrick Hobbs was required to write a letter of recommendation for Martin as she seeks future employment.

As part of the agreement with Martin and her attorneys, Rutgers was required to release a statement that publicly exonerated the coach 13 months after an NJ Advance Media report revealed a toxic culture within the swimming program, according to interviews with former swimmers and parents of athletes who were on the team.

To read the full report from NJ.com, click here.