Former USC Kicker Appeals Dismissal of Gender Bias Suit

Matthew Boermeester is asking a federal appeals court to revive his Title IX lawsuit against the University of Southern California.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Sex Crimes

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single abstract architectural archway, evoking the institutional setting of an academic Title IX appeal. — Former USC kicker Matthew Boermeester asked a Ninth Circuit panel on Thursday to revive his Title IX lawsuit alleging gender bias. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Former USC kicker Matthew Boermeester appeared before a Ninth Circuit panel on Thursday to challenge the dismissal of his federal gender bias lawsuit. Boermeester, who was expelled from the university for violating policies against intimate partner violence, claims the investigation was fueled by bias.

Why it matters

The appeal examines the legal threshold for whether previous state court challenges to university disciplinary procedures preclude students from filing separate federal Title IX claims. The outcome could significantly impact how gender discrimination lawsuits against academic institutions are adjudicated.

A federal judge in Los Angeles previously dismissed the complaint with prejudice, citing prior litigation. The case remains under active review by the Ninth Circuit panel after being heard in Pasadena.

The players

Matthew Boermeester

He is a former kicker for the USC football team who was expelled from the university.

University of Southern California

It is a private research university that expelled a student for violating its policy against intimate partner violence.

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

It is a federal court that adjudicates appeals from district courts within its geographic jurisdiction.

The details

Boermeester argues that USC officials allowed stereotypes regarding male athletes to influence their investigation into an interaction between him and another student. The university previously expelled him following the incident, which occurred just days after he kicked a game-winning field goal in January 2017.

January 2017: The interaction between Boermeester and a student occurred.
January 2, 2017: Boermeester kicked the game-winning field goal for the USC football team.
2019: Boermeester filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against USC.
2023: The California Supreme Court issued a decision rejecting the plaintiff's arguments on expulsion fairness.
October 29, 2026: A Ninth Circuit panel heard the appeal in Pasadena.

Legal Context

This case tests the limits of federal protections under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 regarding university disciplinary procedures. It follows a pattern of high-profile legal challenges aimed at the fairness of campus-based intimate partner violence investigations.

The proceedings in Los Angeles and Pasadena highlight the ongoing legal scrutiny regarding how universities handle sensitive conduct investigations. Residents may follow the Ninth Circuit's ruling to understand future standards for academic disciplinary transparency.

The takeaway

The appellate hearing underscores the complex legal hurdles students face when challenging university disciplinary actions in both state and federal courts. This case serves as a reminder of the significant, long-term legal consequences stemming from campus conduct policies.