BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The parents of a former UAB student are suing the school's football coach and at least 26 current or former athletes, claiming she was sexually exploited.

The girl enrolled at UAB in spring 2000 shortly before her 15th birthday, said lawyer John Whitaker. Identified only as Jane Doe because of her age, the suit said she was recruited to attend UAB by president W. Ann Reynolds and other top administrators.

The suit, seeking $20 million in damages, names football coach Watson Brown, assistant Larry Crowe, the current and former players, five administrators, the school's police chief and trustees. The suit said the coaches told players to stay away from the girl, but did not do enough to stop them from having sex with her.

Brown said the suit was "obviously calculated to damage the reputations of some of the finest people I know."

"I know this group of young men and I know they understand how important their behavior is in representing this athletic program and the university," Brown said in a statement.

UAB attorney Doug Jones said school officials don't have enough information to respond to claims about the athletes by the girl, who is now 16 and no longer attends UAB. But he denied any wrongdoing by school officials.

"The charges against UAB's administrators and coaches are entirely without merit and represent nothing more than a cynical attempt to extort money by slandering this institution and its employees," Jones said.

The suit claims officials knew the girl was sexually active and involved in drugs and alcohol but didn't intervene despite promising her special protection because of her age.

Whitaker said she was supposed to live in a dormitory with a supervisor, escorts and other protection, but wound up in another dorm occupied mainly by athletes.

The teen became sexually active with members of the football and basketball team, according to the suit. She began using drugs and drinking and at one point required medical treatment for alcohol poisoning, the suit said.

The lawsuit was filed just hours before the Blazers' season opener against Montana State.