A former Central Michigan University (CMU) baseball player has initiated legal proceedings against the university and several athletic department officials, alleging physical assault by a coach and subsequent retaliation by the institution.
The lawsuit, filed on August 19, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, details claims by Dean Brown, a former pitcher for CMU. Brown asserts that during a pregame routine on March 2, 2025, pitching coach Aaron Hilt struck him in the chest with a closed fist, causing a deep bruise. This incident reportedly occurred in front of teammates, who described the act as unexpected and unprovoked. ([wnem.com](https://www.wnem.com/2025/08/20/former-central-michigan-university-baseball-player-files-lawsuit-alleging-assault-retaliation/?utm_source=openai))
Following the alleged assault, Brown reported the incident to head coach Jacob Sabol and later to athletic director Amy Folan. The lawsuit contends that instead of addressing the complaint appropriately, CMU officials retaliated against Brown. He was benched, suspended from the team, and ultimately barred from team facilities. The complaint suggests that the university used a team Snapchat message—where Brown used the phrase “time to die,” reportedly a common team mantra—as a pretext for his suspension. ([wnem.com](https://www.wnem.com/2025/08/20/former-central-michigan-university-baseball-player-files-lawsuit-alleging-assault-retaliation/?utm_source=openai))
The legal action names CMU, Hilt, Sabol, and Folan as defendants, citing claims of assault and battery against Hilt, negligence and negligent hiring/supervision against CMU and athletic officials, retaliation in violation of the First Amendment, violation of bodily integrity under the Fourteenth Amendment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Brown is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, along with attorney fees. ([detroitsportsnation.com](https://detroitsportsnation.com/former-central-michigan-pitcher-files-lawsuit-alleging-assault-retaliation/jeff/college-sports/08/19/2025/475241/?utm_source=openai))
This case is not the first time CMU’s athletic department has faced scrutiny. In 2019, former gymnastics coach Jerry Reighard was dismissed amid allegations of instructing a gymnast to mislead medical personnel about a possible concussion. Reighard contested the dismissal, leading to a lawsuit that was settled in 2023 for $350,000. ([abc12.com](https://www.abc12.com/news/former-cmu-gymnastics-coach-settles-lawsuit-for-350-000/article_a2040106-a40f-11ed-bc0c-ab329575dc8c.html?utm_source=openai))
The current lawsuit also references previous concerns about Hilt’s behavior, including alleged excessive drinking, which the university purportedly did not investigate. As of the filing date, Hilt remains employed by CMU. ([wnem.com](https://www.wnem.com/2025/08/20/former-central-michigan-university-baseball-player-files-lawsuit-alleging-assault-retaliation/?utm_source=openai))
When approached for comment, CMU stated, “CMU does not comment on pending litigation.” ([wnem.com](https://www.wnem.com/2025/08/20/former-central-michigan-university-baseball-player-files-lawsuit-alleging-assault-retaliation/?utm_source=openai))
This case underscores ongoing challenges within collegiate athletic programs regarding the handling of misconduct allegations and the protection of student-athletes.