Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Education Law Blogs -> Title IX Blog

Education Law

: Title IX Blog

Breaking news: Judge dismisses coach's civil suit

By Erin Buzuvis, Sudha Setty, and Kristine Newhall

After hearing oral arguments, a district judge in Nevada has thrown out the civil suit brought by former soccer coach Terri Patraw against the University of Nevada-Reno. Patraw's lawsuit claimed that the university fired her for complaining about Title IX and NCAA violations. In his ruling, the judge claimed the university demonstrated it had significant grounds upon which to fire Patraw, despite her on-field successes. Patraw's own threats of resignation during contract negotiations, her eventual resignation and then rescinding of that resignation probably did not help her case.
The university is considering seeking attorney's fees (around $500,000) from Patraw.
But Patraw's lawyer said they will be filing an appeal because they do not feel the judge understood the nuances of the Title IX claim and that he confused First Amendment issues with Title IX issues.
So apparently this case goes on.

Full post as published by Title IX Blog on May 06, 2009 (boomark / email).