North Carolina State has been ordered to...
North Carolina State has been ordered to pay $100,000 to the family of Onno Johannes Schild, a swimmer who died during a training run in 1987.
A state commission ruled that swimming Coach Donald Easterling was negligent in pushing Schild during a seven-mile run in 86-degree heat when he knew Schild was on a strict diet to lose about 30 pounds.
The ruling said the coach, in the presence of the team, strongly ordered Schild to lose weight, calling him a “fat pig” and “Pillsbury Doughboy,” but gave no specific instructions on how to do so.
In the complaint filed with the North Carolina Industrial Commission, the Schilds’ attorney described Easterling’s coaching style as “a pattern of sadistic and ‘win at any cost’ behavior.”
Easterling, who could not be reached for comment, has coached the N.C. State team for 20 years, and his teams have won 16 Atlantic Coast Conference championships.
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