From all appearances, Debbie Keller’s decision to play soccer for coach Anson Dorrance’s powerhouse University of North Carolina team appeared to be a match made in heaven.
Keller, a three-time high school All-American from Naperville, was the top scorer for the North Carolina team that won the 1996 NCAA championship, Dorrance’s 14th national title at that point.
In a Tribune story in 1994, Dorrance praised Keller’s work ethic, saying, “I’d like for my daughter to be like Debbie.” And Keller had kind words for Dorrance, calling him “a great motivator” and saying she “never wanted to disappoint him because he does so much for us.”
But on Tuesday, Keller cast their relationship in a decidedly different light, suing Dorrance, the university and other school officials over allegations that the coach sexually harassed her while she was on the team.
The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, alleged that Dorrance questioned Keller about her sex life, often touched her body inappropriately and stroked her hair, and once made an uninvited sexual advance.
Another former player, Melissa Jennings, a backup goalie from St. Charles who was released from the team in May, joined in the suit, accusing Dorrance of encouraging her to drink alcohol as a minor and despite her religious beliefs. She is a Mormon.
The suit seeks $12 million in damages and an injunction barring Dorrance from coaching.
Reaction was swift at the university campus in Chapel Hill. At a press conference, North Carolina Athletic Director Richard Baddour said the allegations had previously been thoroughly investigated and “absolutely no evidence” had been found of sexual harassment by Dorrance.
“The program has never had problems of the sort alleged, and we have no reason to make any change in the leadership of the soccer program,” Baddour said. He was named a defendant in the suit along with other university officials.
Baddour acknowledged that Dorrance participated in team members’ discussions about their personal lives and failed to discourage the use of alcohol.
Saying that conduct “fell short of the standards of good judgment,” Baddour said he and Dorrance had apologized to Jennings’ father.
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But the athletic director made it clear he didn’t believe Dorrance violated university policy or any player’s civil rights.
Dorrance said he was “shocked and saddened” by the allegations and intended to “vigorously defend myself and this program’s integrity.”
“The allegations of sexual harassment and advances are not true,” Dorrance said. “I have never and would never abuse my position in any way.”
The university also released a brief statement of support for Dorrance signed by 27 members of the UNC women’s soccer team.
“We find this situation deplorable and are hurt by these accusations, which to our knowledge are false,” the statement said.
The allegations come as Dorrance begins his 20th season as UNC women’s soccer coach. His teams have won 15 national championships.
He also coached the U.S. women’s national team between 1986 and 1994, leading it to a first-place finish in the first women’s world championships in China in 1991.
Numerous high-profile players such as Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Carla Overbeck played for Dorrance both at UNC and on the national team.
Keller, now 23, was a standout forward at Waubonsie Valley High School, scoring 144 goals while playing for her mother, Judy, who was head coach.
At North Carolina, Keller led the Tar Heels to a 25-1 record and scored the winning goal in overtime in the 1996 NCAA championship game.
She completed her athletic eligibility at UNC in 1996 and finished her degree last year.
Though she missed the 1996 Olympics because of a foot injury, Keller is expected to be an important part of the U.S. national team in next year’s Women’s World Cup.
Tuesday’s lawsuit alleged that UNC was aware of rumors that Dorrance had resigned as national soccer coach because of a sexual relationship with a player.
The suit accused the university of failing to take appropriate action against Dorrance “to protect the female members of his soccer team.”
On repeated occasions since 1993, Dorrance allegedly intimidated members of the UNC team to report to him on the sexual activities of teammates, the suit charged.
In October 1996, Dorrance coerced Keller into meeting him in “a secluded area” and made an unwanted sexual advance, according to the suit. Over the following two months, the coach “placed his arms and hands on her body on multiple occasions,” the suit alleged.