Tuskegee Basketball Coach Files Lawsuit Against Morehouse College Following Handcuffing Incident
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Posted By: Will Moss on March 20, 2026 Tuskegee University men's basketball coach Benjy Taylor is preparing to file a lawsuit this week against Morehouse College and campus police officers following a controversial handcuffing incident that occurred during a January game, marking a significant legal development in what has become a highly scrutinized interaction between two historic HBCU institutions. Taylor is scheduled to meet with his legal team in Atlanta on March 20 to officially announce the filing. The lawsuit specifically targets Morehouse College and campus police officers R. Clark and M. Roberson. Key Takeaway: The lawsuit stems from a January 31 Division II game incident where Coach Taylor was handcuffed and removed from the court after attempting to address what he perceived as a security concern, sparking nationwide backlash and raising questions about protocol at HBCU athletic events. The incident unfolded during the January 31 Division II basketball game between Tuskegee and Morehouse in Atlanta. Video footage of the event quickly went viral on social media, generating widespread criticism and national attention. "I am at a loss for words, and I am upset about how I was violated and treated today. For my players, my family and people of Tuskegee to witness that is heartbreaking for me. I was simply trying to get the football team out of the handshake line as they were following right behind me and the team yelling obscenities! It was a very dangerous situation." The Incident DetailsAccording to Taylor's attorneys, the coach approached officers after observing what he believed was a potentially unsafe situation during the postgame handshake line. A group of Morehouse football players had entered the court and were interacting with players and family members, which attorneys say violates conference security rules. When Taylor asked officers to help clear the court and enforce the rules, one officer instead handcuffed him and removed him from the premises. Notably, authorities did not charge Taylor with any crimes following the incident. Legal Representation and Conference ResponseThe lawsuit will be led by a team of civil rights attorneys, including Harry Daniels and John Burris, along with attorneys Gerald Griggs and Gregory Reynald Williams. In response to the incident, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) fined Morehouse College an undisclosed amount for its role in the events. However, Morehouse College President Dr. F. DuBois Bowman issued a statement expressing concerns about the investigation process. "While Morehouse leadership and I take the SIAC's findings seriously, we have questions about an investigation that did not include a request for the College's input but ultimately determined responsibility and a fine. This falls short of the due diligence expected of a fair and comprehensive process, and we are engaging directly with the SIAC to reconsider, given the precedent such decisions set for all SIAC institutions." President Bowman noted that Morehouse issued an apology to Taylor the night after the incident occurred. The upcoming lawsuit represents a significant moment for both institutions, highlighting the importance of proper security protocols and professional conduct at HBCU athletic events. As the case moves forward, it will likely draw continued attention to policies and procedures governing campus safety and athletic event management across HBCU campuses nationwide. Originally reported by Black Enterprise. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Will Moss
Founder & CEO, HBCU CONNECT, LLC Hampton University class of 1995 Member Since June 1999 |
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