- Kaitlyn Wassel is suing Penn State for sexual and gender-based harassment
- She claims the school failed to protect her from the abuse of Blue Band majorette coach Heather Bean
- Bean allegedly forced Wassel to wear a uniform that was too small and hurled cruel insults at her, leading to an eating disorder and a suicide attempt.
A former Penn State University majorette is suing the school, claiming she was “fat shamed” by a coach who refused to give her an appropriate uniform and hurled insults that led to an eating disorder and a suicide attempt.
Kaitlyn Wassel is suing Penn State for sexual and gender-based harassment, claiming the university failed to protect her from Blue Band majorette coach Heather Bean's abuse.
Wassel, who attended the school and performed with the Blue Band from 2018 to 2022, detailed several instances of abuse by Bean during her tenure in the lawsuit.
Bean allegedly forced Wassel to purposely wear a uniform that was too small for four years, and did not allow her to trade uniforms with a teammate or have it altered.
The coach also ordered Wassel to lose weight to fit her uniform, claiming that this caused her to develop an eating disorder, according to the complaint.
Kaitlyn Wassel (pictured) is suing Penn State for sexual and gender-based harassment, claiming they failed to protect her from Blue Band majorette coach Heather Bean's abuse
Bean (pictured) is accused of hurling cruel insults at Wassel, calling her 'such a whore' and even blaming her for a lice outbreak within the team
The 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 a case 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 lice outbreak within the team.
The former majorette also claims that 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 says her parents blamed Bean's abuse for pushing her to commit suicide.
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 believes are several others who have done the same.
Her lawsuit against Bean includes four other twirlers in the Blue Band alleging similar misconduct.
Wassel filed a complaint against Bean after she graduated, joining what she believes are several others who have done the same
Shortly after the allegations came to light, an investigation into Bean was conducted. Although university leaders found Bean violated university policy, they did not find enough evidence to prove sexual harassment or discrimination
Shortly after the allegations came to light, an investigation into Bean was conducted. Although university leaders found Bean violated university policy, they did not find enough evidence to prove sexual harassment or discrimination.
The university also failed to discipline Bean because she resigned from her position, which she 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 care and medication.
She also claims that Blue Band director Gregory Drane and other university administrators were aware of Bean's behavior but ignored it when confronted.
a LinkedIn page as Bean doesn't mention her having another job since her dismissal from Penn State.
A spokesperson for the school says it does not comment on pending litigation.