An ex-majorette at Penn State University is suing the school and claims she was ‘fat shamed’ by a coach, who refused to get her a uniform that fit and hurled insults that led to an eating disorder and suicide attempt.
Kaitlyn Wassel is suing Penn State on grounds of sexual and gender-based harassment, claiming the university failed to protect her from the abuse of Blue Band majorette coach Heather Bean.
Wassel, who attended the school and performed with the Blue Band from 2018 to 2022, detailed several instances of mistreatment by Bean during her tenure in the lawsuit.
Bean allegedly forced Wassel to wear a uniform that was too small on purpose for four years and would not allow her to either trade uniforms with a teammate or have it altered.
The coach also ordered Wassel to lose weight to fit her uniform and claims it left her with an eating disorder, according to the suit.
Kaitlyn Wassel (pictured) is suing Penn State on grounds of sexual and gender-based harassment, claiming they failed to protect her from the abuse of Blue Band majorette coach Heather Bean
Bean (pictured) is accused of hurling cruel insults at Wassel, calling her ‘such a whore’ and even blaming her for a breakout of lice within the team
he Penn State Blue Band performs during the Tournament of Roses Parade on Orange Grove Boulevard in January 2023
Wassel also claims Bean refused to help her report an instance of sexual assault in 2018.
Bean is accused of hurling cruel insults at Wassel, calling her ‘such a whore’ and even blaming her for a breakout of lice within the team.
The former majorette also claims Bean threatened to dump her from the team if she reported her to the university.
Wassel claims that, in addition to an eating disorder, she attempted suicide in May 2021, resulting in a hospitalization. Wassel states her parents blamed Bean’s abuse for driving her to try to take her own life.
The former twirler claims she still suffers from panic attacks to this day.
Wassel filed a complaint against Bean after she graduated, joining what she claims are several others who did the same.
Her lawsuit against Bean contains four other twirlers in the Blue Band who allege similar misconduct.
Wassel filed a complaint against Bean after she graduated, joining what she claims are several others who did the same
An investigation into Bean was conducted shortly after the allegations surfaced. While university leaders found Bean violated university policy, they did not uncover enough evidence to prove sexual harassment or discrimination
An investigation into Bean was conducted shortly after the allegations surfaced. While university leaders found Bean violated university policy, they did not uncover enough evidence to prove sexual harassment or discrimination.
The university was also not able to discipline Bean because she resigned from her position, which she had held between 1994 and 2022.
Wassel is seeking ‘unspecified damages for violations of Title IX and the equal protection clause of the Constitution,’ to help fund mental health treatment and medication.
She also claims that Blue Band director Gregory Drane and other university administrators knew of Bean’s behavior but ignored it when confronted.
A LinkedIn page for Bean does not list her with another job since her resignation from Penn State.
A spokesperson for the school said it does not comment on pending litigation.
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