Bell Limbrick joined USC in 2010 and climbed the ranks to become the university’s senior woman administrator, a role in which she oversaw both men’s and women’s sports. However, she claims problems started when Bohn was hired as athletics director in 2019, despite being under investigation by his previous university for allegedly making sexist and racist comments.
Bell Limbrick alleges that Bohn soon began making derogatory remarks about her, including telling a colleague that she was appointed as senior woman administrator solely to diversify the department. After she complained about this remark, Bell Limbrick claims Bohn retaliated by reducing her responsibilities and micromanaging her work.
She says Bohn blocked her from conducting interviews for coaching positions, a privilege that non-Black employees were allowed to keep. Additionally, she was excluded from important working groups and given an isolated office. Bell Limbrick further alleges that USC did not address her complaints, allowing Bohn to continue making inappropriate comments, including suggesting that female athletes should prevent male athletes from making personal mistakes and comparing a Black student athlete to a gorilla.
