NELSONVILLE, Ohio — Hocking College and its former football star Caden Cox agreed to a $30,000 settlement in Cox’s discrimination lawsuit against the college.
The agreement, which the Independent obtained from Hocking College through a records request, comes with no admission of wrongdoing on the college’s part and a stipulation that Cox can never again work at the college.
Cox also agreed “to fully waive any and all claims related to his employment with, his enrollment as a student at, and the end of his employment and subsequent graduation from, Hocking College.”
The agreement was signed by all parties as of April 4. Cox agreed to dismiss his claims against Hocking College defendants within three days of receiving the $30,000 payment. Cox moved to dismiss the Hocking College defendants from the lawsuit on April 19.
Cox, who has Down Syndrome, made national headlines in 2021 when he became the first college football player with the syndrome to score a point in an official game.
Related reading from the Athens County Independent:
In May 2023, Cox’s family filed a lawsuit against Hocking College’s board, school President Betty Young, multiple staff members and his former employment supervisor, Matthew Kmosko. Cox’s claims against the college brought nationwide attention to the Nelsonville-based school.
The lawsuit alleged harassment, discriminatory conduct and assault by Kmosko and a lack of follow-up, as well as retaliation by the school.
The suit alleges that Kmosko, who supervised Cox at the Hocking College Student Center, pointed a knife at Cox while yelling at him, causing Cox to fear for his life. Kmosko was convicted in January 2023 on criminal charges related to the incident, although he’s appealing that decision.
Related reading from the Athens County Independent:
The settlement agreement resolved claims Cox had against Kmosko only in Kmosko’s official capacity as an employee of Hocking College. This means Cox can continue to pursue civil claims against Kmosko as an individual through the lawsuit.
Currently, the court is weighing whether to grant Cox’s request for default judgment against Kmosko, as Kmosko apparently failed to plead or otherwise respond to the lawsuit.
Cox’s lawsuit further alleged the college did not conduct a background check on Kmosko, and that the college failed to adequately address and investigate complaints against Kmosko. Additionally, the lawsuit said the college stripped Cox of awards in retaliation for complaining about and taking legal action over the alleged discrimination and harassment.
Hocking College denied Cox’s allegations, and continues to deny those allegations in the settlement agreement.
The agreement notes that when Hocking College hired a new director of human resources in March 2022, it “adopted a procedure for onboarding new employees that includes the completion of a background check.”
The agreement cites the college’s non-discrimination policies, employee training on nondiscrimination and reporting processes, and the college’s commitment “to creating a safe, supportive learning and working environment for all members of the campus community.”
Both Young and Cox’s attorney Mark Weiker responded to the Independent’s request for comment with the same statement, jointly agreed upon in the settlement. The statement reads, “The Parties have resolved the claims to their mutual satisfaction and have agreed to move forward in a positive direction.”
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