A former majorette with Penn State has filed a lawsuit against the university claiming it failed to protect her from bullying and harassment from her coach. The suit, filed by Kaitlyn Wassel accuses her former majorette coach, Heather Bean of sexual and gender-based harassment, discrimination and fat-shaming. According to the suit the experience caused her to develop an eating disorder, mental health issues and attempt suicide. Reportedly after graduating in 2022, Wassel joined other upper-class members of the majorettes team in filing formal complaints about Bean. In February of this year a letter summarizing the joint investigation by the offices of affirmative action and human resources stated that many of the allegations were backed up and violated university policy. However, the university could not discipline Bean because she had resigned in the fall of last year after 27 years as a majorette coach. Wassel is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
