In 2014, Noriana Radwan, a University of Connecticut women's soccer player, made a gesture toward a television camera during a championship celebration. This action led to the loss of her athletic scholarship, prompting a lawsuit alleging that the punishment was excessive and infringed upon her right to free speech, especially compared to disciplinary actions taken against male athletes for similar infractions.
The case concluded with a settlement agreement reached between Radwan and UConn. Radwan will receive over $46,000 to cover her student loan expenses incurred after transferring to Hofstra University. An additional $162,500 has been allocated to cover her legal representation. Furthermore, the university has agreed to revise its student-athlete handbook, clarifying the appeals process for scholarship revocations. One of the key points of contention in the lawsuit was the ambiguity surrounding the timeline for appealing such decisions.
The incident occurred following UConn's victory over South Florida in the 2014 American Athletic Conference championship game. Radwan's initial punishment included suspension from the subsequent NCAA tournament, accompanied by a public apology from the team's coach. However, the situation escalated when her scholarship was revoked mid-academic year, a decision Radwan contested as lacking due process. She subsequently transferred to Hofstra to continue her education and soccer career.
Radwan's lawsuit, initially dismissed by a federal court in 2020, was partially reinstated upon appeal. The settlement was finalized after a hearing addressing a legal dispute between Radwan's attorneys regarding the authority to finalize the agreement. Radwan has chosen not to comment publicly on the settlement.
