Terri Patraw: A University Brought To Its' Knees
Fresno State University was brought to its knees during civil litigation involving its athletic department in 2007-08. Five women brought individual gender discrimination complaints against the University.
Lindy Vivas, former Volleyball Coach, won a June 2007 jury verdict for wrongful termination. She claimed she was fired in retaliation for her Title IX complaints.
Diane Milutinovich, former Associate Athletic Director, settled her case in October 2007. She too claimed she was removed from the athletic department in retaliation for Title IX complaints.
Stacey Johnson-Klein, former Basketball Coach, won a December 2007 jury verdict for wrongful termination. She claimed she was fired in retaliation for her Title IX and sexual harassment complaints.
Margie Wright, current Softball Coach, settled her case in July 2008. She claimed she was retaliated against in her contract offers. She alleged differences in pay between male and female coaches, unequal treatment for female athletes, and fear of retaliation for advocating gender equity. She remains employed at the University.
Iris Levesque, former men's basketball secretary, settled her case in August 2008. Levesque was reinstated and paid a financial settlement. She claimed she lost her job after complaining about then Men's Basketball Coach Ray Lopes. Lopes resigned over NCAA violations he committed during his tenure.
Note the chronology of these cases and Fresno State's urgency to settle after it got it's butt kicked in the court room. One would hope this University has learned its lesson...over $17 million later. The athletic director lost his job in the wake of his retaliatory actions.
Lindy Vivas, former Volleyball Coach, won a June 2007 jury verdict for wrongful termination. She claimed she was fired in retaliation for her Title IX complaints.
Diane Milutinovich, former Associate Athletic Director, settled her case in October 2007. She too claimed she was removed from the athletic department in retaliation for Title IX complaints.
Stacey Johnson-Klein, former Basketball Coach, won a December 2007 jury verdict for wrongful termination. She claimed she was fired in retaliation for her Title IX and sexual harassment complaints.
Margie Wright, current Softball Coach, settled her case in July 2008. She claimed she was retaliated against in her contract offers. She alleged differences in pay between male and female coaches, unequal treatment for female athletes, and fear of retaliation for advocating gender equity. She remains employed at the University.
Iris Levesque, former men's basketball secretary, settled her case in August 2008. Levesque was reinstated and paid a financial settlement. She claimed she lost her job after complaining about then Men's Basketball Coach Ray Lopes. Lopes resigned over NCAA violations he committed during his tenure.
Note the chronology of these cases and Fresno State's urgency to settle after it got it's butt kicked in the court room. One would hope this University has learned its lesson...over $17 million later. The athletic director lost his job in the wake of his retaliatory actions.
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