HAMILTON, NY, February 01, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In response to a lawsuit filed in December 2025 by former Colgate University student-athlete Amelia Cunningham, representatives for Coach Kathy Taylor have released a comprehensive response supported by testimonials from nearly 50 former players spanning her 30-year coaching career.

The lawsuit, filed in New York Supreme Court, alleges an abusive coaching environment during Ms. Cunningham's time with the Colgate women's lacrosse team from 2020-2022. Coach Taylor's response includes statements from former players at multiple institutions, documentation from a 2022 university investigation, and details regarding Ms. Cunningham's athletic achievements during the period in question.

University Investigation and Institutional Decision
Following allegations raised in March 2022, Colgate University conducted a five-month investigation involving more than 30 interviews. According to the university's August 2022 letter to student-athletes, Athletic Director Dr. Nicki Moore stated the university had "decided we will continue our path forward in close partnership with Coach Taylor as the head coach of this program."

According to Coach Taylor's representatives, the university subsequently approached Coach Taylor about extending her contract following the investigation's conclusion.

Former Players Provide Testimonials
Nearly 50 former players and assistant coaches from Coach Taylor's career at Fayetteville-Manlius High School, SUNY Cortland, Le Moyne College, and Colgate University have provided statements supporting her coaching methods and character.

U.S. Army Major Jordan A. Miller, who played at SUNY Cortland from 2008-2012 and now serves as Battalion Executive Officer, stated in his testimonial: "In the military, we distinguish between toxic leadership and demanding leadership. Coach Taylor represented the latter. She is what I deem the gold standard of a developmental leader."

Olivia Lynch, who served as senior captain at Colgate from 2019-2022 during Ms. Cunningham's tenure, stated: "At our very first practice, Coach Taylor told us, 'I will never ask you to play through injury, but I will ask you to push through the pain.' When my shin splints began affecting my play, Coach Taylor told me to step out and give my shins time to heal. When I tore my ACL junior year, she supported me completely."

Jessica Antelmi Becker, Associate Head Coach who worked with Coach Taylor at three institutions for nearly 10 years, stated: "I've sat in dozens of meetings in times of crisis, and Kathy always handled them with compassion. When it came to injuries, we always deferred to athletic training staff protocol."

Athletic Performance During Alleged Injury Period
According to Colgate University athletics records, Ms. Cunningham received Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors in Spring 2021, the same season during which the lawsuit alleges she was experiencing significant wrist injury. The honor made her the first Colgate athlete to receive a major Patriot League award since 2015.

Player Departures and Context
The lawsuit references approximately 20 players leaving the program during Coach Taylor's tenure. According to university communications, following the 2022 investigation, Colgate offered players the option to retain their athletic scholarships while leaving the team—an arrangement that representatives note is uncommon in Division I athletics.

Mental Health and Support Resources
According to documentation provided by Coach Taylor's representatives, Coach Taylor sent a request to Athletic Director Nikki Moore on April 11, 2022—seven months prior to Ms. Cunningham's reported November 2022 suicide attempt—requesting additional counseling resources for the team.

Multiple former players provided testimonials regarding mental health support. Madison Pritchard Killen, who played at Le Moyne College from 2017-2019, stated: "After transferring multiple times and struggling with my mental health, Coach Taylor opened her team and her heart to me when I needed it most."

Coach Taylor's Career Accomplishments
Coach Taylor's 30-year career includes a 2018 National Championship at Le Moyne College, four Final Four appearances at SUNY Cortland, and multiple New York State Championships at Fayetteville-Manlius High School. She has been inducted into three Halls of Fame and was elected President of the International Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association by her peers.

About the Response
The comprehensive response document includes detailed testimonials from 47 former players and coaches, documentation from the 2022 Colgate investigation, and responses to specific allegations in the lawsuit. Full documentation is available upon request.

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