Moody's attorney, Iowa State disagree on university ruling

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - An attorney for former Iowa State women's basketball player Nikki Moody said Tuesday that his firm disagrees with the university's finding that it was unable to substantiate her complaints of racial discrimination.

Moody has sued coach Bill Fennelly, the university and the state for racial discrimination and retaliation. Moody claims she was constantly harassed and discriminated against while playing for Fennelly from 2012-15.

Iowa State responded to the lawsuit Monday, saying that it "takes issue with the allegations and looks forward to responding in full to the lawsuit." The school said Moody took her complaints to athletics officials roughly a year ago.

The university referred Moody to the university's Office of Equal Opportunity, which conducted an investigation that it said didn't validate her claims.

Her attorney, Nate Borland, said the two sides also participated in a mediation conducted by the Iowa Civil Rights Commission in January, but they were unable to agree.

The next step in Moody's lawsuit will be a discovery conference between the two sides, followed by depositions ahead of a trial. Borland said he expects the case won't proceed to trial for 12-18 months.

"We look forward to working this through the courts, and we trust that an Iowa jury is going to find justice for Nikki," Borland said.

Fennelly, who has coached at Iowa State since 1995 and guided the team to 16 NCAA Tournament appearances, has yet to comment on the suit.